PHI LOS 0 P H Y . - Classic Works of Apologetics Online

~reign
Dut.y t SZlbmi!Jion explained. S2!3
and the s:lbject, the parties acknowledge no
common arbitrator; and it lA·ou!d be absurd to refer
the decision to th'JJC ",hose conduct has provoked the
question, aGd whose own interest, C?uthority, and fate,
are imrnediately concerned in it~ T'he danger of er ..
ror and abuse is no Gbjection to the rule of expediency,
because every other rule is liable to the same or
greater; and e,"ery rule that can be propounded upon
the subject (like all rules indeed which appeal to, or
. bind, the conscience) must in the application depend
upon private judgment. It may be observed, how­
~\·er, ttlat it ought equally to be accounted the exercise
()f a man's pl·ivate judgnlent, whether he be deternlined
by reasonings and conclusions of his own,
or submit to be directed by the ~dYic.e of others, provided
he be free to choose his guide.
We proceed to point out 'SCIne easy but important
inference~, whicll result from the substitution of
public e:rpedienry into the place of all implied compacts,
promises, or con,tentions \\·hat~oe\rer.
I. it may be as Dlucll ~l duty, at one time, to re~ist
goyernmel1t, as it is at arlotheJ·, to obey it-to wit,
whenever more advantage will, in our opinion, accrue
to the cOll1munity from re.iistance, than mischief.
II. ffhe lawf·ulness of resistance, or the la \\ fulness
pf a revolt, does not depend alene upon the griev ...
~mce which is sustained or feared, but also upon the
probable expense and eV~'1t of the contest. They
who concerted the revolution in England were justifiable
in their coun~eIs, because from the apparent
disposition of the nation, and the strength and character
of the parties engaged, the measure was likely
to be brought about with little mischief or bloodshed;
whereas, it might have been a question with many
friends of their country, whether the injuries then
endured and threatened, \vould have authorized the
renewal of (J,
doubtful civil war.
Ill. Irregularity in the first foundation of a state,
or subseq'~~ent violence, fraud, or injustice in getting
possession of the supreme power, are not sufficient
l'easonC) for resistance:, after th~ government is once