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232 GRATTAN. object to this principle in every shape, whether you are, as the resolution was first worded, directly to transfer legislative power to the British parliament; whether, as it was afterwards altered, you are to covenant to subscribe her acts; or whether, as it is now softened, you are to take the chance of the British market, so long as you wave the blessings of the British constitution—terms dishonourable, derogatory, incapable of forming the foundation of any fair and friendly settlement, injurious to the political mo rality of the nation. I would not harbour a slavish prin ciple, nor give it the hospitality of a night's lodging in a land of liberty Slavery is like any other vice, tolerate and you embrace: you should guard your constitution by settled maxims of honour, as well as wholesome rules of law; and one maxim should be, never to tolerate a condi tion which trenches on the privilege of parliament, or derogates from the pride of the island. Liberal in matters of revenue, practicable in matters of commerce, on these subjects I would be inexorable; if the Genius of Old England came to that bar, with the British Constitution in one hand, and in the other an offer of a l l that England retains, o r a l l that she has lost o f commerce, I should turn my back o n the latter, and pay my obeisance t o the bless ings o f her constitution; for that constitution will give you commerce, and i t was the loss o f that constitution that deprived you o f commerce. Why are you not now a woollen country because another country regulated your trade. Why are you not now a country o f re-export? because another country regulated your navigation. I oppose the original terms a s slavish, and I oppose the conditional clause a s a n artful way o f introducing slavery, o f soothing a n high-spirited nation into submission b y the ignominious delusion that she may shake off the yoke when she pleases, and once more become a free people. The direct unconstitutional proposition could not have been listened to, and therefore resort i s had t o the only possible chance o f destroying the liberty o f the people, b y holding u p the bright reversion o f the British consti