As Hume observes, even in
his time, people had left off making believe that a king was a different
species of man from, other men; and, since his day, more and more such
make-believes have become impossible; until the maintenance of kingship
in coming generations seems likely to depend, entirely, upon whether it
is the general opinion, that a hereditary president of our virtual
republic will serve the general interest better than an elective one or
not. The tendency of public feeling in this direction is patent, but it
does not follow that a republic is to be the final stage of our
government. In fact, Hume thinks not:--
"It is well known, that every government must come to a period, and
that death is unavoidable to the political, as well as to the
animal body. But, as one kind of death may be preferable to
another, it may be inquired, whether it be more desirable for the
British constitution to terminate in a popular government, or in an
absolute monarchy? Here, I would frankly declare, that though
liberty be preferable to slavery, in almost every case; yet I
should rather wish to see an absolute monarch than a republic in
this island. For let us consider what kind of republic we have
reason to expect. The question is not concerning any fine imaginary
republic of which a man forms a plan in his closet. There is no
doubt but a popular government may be imagined more perfect than
an absolute monarchy, or even than our present constitution.
Pages:
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32