Page:Thoughts on civil liberty, on licentiousness and faction.djvu/109

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Civil Liberty, &c.
105

to a Dissolution of Manners and Principles, went Hand in Hand with the Progress of Corruption; which, in its most improved State, this mistaken Minister left, as a lasting Legacy to his Country.[1]

The Effects of this established System of Corruption did not immediately appear: But about the Year fifty-seven, they came to their Crisis; advancing with the Appearances even of public Ruin.

That powerful Correctress, Necessity, gave a temporary Union to all Parties, and a temporary Restoration to the State.[2] But from the Deduction of Causes here given, it was natural to expect, that as soon as Danger ceased, Faction would arise.

It follows also, that it must arise on Foundations widely different from Those in the Reigns of William and Anne. For the Dissentions of these past Times were chiefly founded in false Principles:

  1. See an Estimate, &c. Vol. ii. p. 204, &c.
  2. See ib. Vol. i. p. the last.