Speeches of the late Right Honourable Richard Brinsley Sheridan; (Several corrected by himself) Volume 3 - Tapa blanda

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1816 edition. Excerpt: ...with a plain question. Do the people submit to make these sacrifices? He has not attempted to dispute their universal acquiescence. What then do his facts prove? What, but that so devoted are the whole people of France to the cause which they have espoused; so determined are they to maintain the struggle in which they have engaged; so paramount and domineering is the enthusiastic spirit of liberty in their bosoms; so insignificant comparatively all other pursuits and considerations; and, finally, so bitter and active their animosity against the conspiring powers which surround them, that individual property has ceased to be regarded even by the possessor, but as subsidiary to the public cause; and the government which has demanded these unprecedented sacrifices, yet retains its power, and does not appear to have impaired its popularity. This system of exaction is tremendous, says the noble lord; it is so, but to whom? to those who have to fight with such a people. He ought, however, in fairness, to have stated also, that these sacrifices and these exactions are to expire when peace has closed the struggle in which alone they originate, and the end is attained for which alone they are tolerated: till then unquestionably, the whole country of France is regarded as one great fortress in a state of siege. To tell us how little respect to private property, commercial principle, or personal privilege is attended to in such a state, is to prattle childishly; prove to us, that the iron hand of violence and necessity which has barred the course of justice, and beat down all the security of private right throughout that besieged land, does not at the same time assist the one great object which is dearest to the general heart,--successful resistance to the...