gone;) and such the undistinguishing distrust the people had of them all, that the chief securities of our liberties seem to have been, their not being attempted at that time.
But though persons contributed to all this mischief and danger with different degrees of guilt, none could contribute to them with innocence, who at all knew what they were about. Indeed, the destruction of a free constitution of government, though men see or fancy many defects in it, and whatever they design or pretend, ought not to be thought of without horror. For the design is in itself unjust, since it is romantic to suppose it legal; it cannot be prosecuted without the most wicked means, nor accomplished but with the present ruin of liberty, religious as well as civil: for it must be the ruin of its present security. Whereas the restoration of it must depend upon a thousand future contingencies, the integrity, understanding, power, of the persons into whose hands anarchy and confusion should throw things; and who they will be, the history before us may surely serve to show no human foresight can determine; even though such a terrible crisis were to happen in an age not distinguished for the want of principle and public spirit, and when nothing particular were to be apprehended from abroad. It would be partiality to say, that no constitution of government can possibly be imagined more perfect than our own ; and ingenuous youth may be warmed with the idea of one against which nothing can be objected. But it is the strongest objection against attempting to put in practice the most perfect theory, that it is impracticable or too dangerous to be attempted. And whoever will thoroughly consider, in what degree mankind are really influenced by reason, and in what degree by custom, may, I think, be convinced, that the state of human aflairs does not even admit of an equivalent for the mischief of setting things afloat, and the danger of parting with those securities of liberty, which arise from regulations of those prescription and ancient usage; especially at a time when
