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

British Constitution .. 549
these considerations, that in a delnocratic constitu.
tion the mechanism is too complicat~'d, and tbe motions
too siow for the opet'ations of a .great empire ;
whose defence and government rt-quire execution
and dispatch, in proportion to the magnitude, extent,
and variety of its concerns. There is weight,
no doubt, in these reasons; but much of the objection
seems to be done away by the contrivance of a
federal republic, which, distributing the country
into districts of a commodiou.~ extent, and leaving
to each district its internal legislation, reserves to a
convention of the states, the adjustment of their rela.
tive claims; the levying, direction and government
of the ccmmOll force of the confederncy; therequisition
of sub~idies for the support (If this force;
the making of peace and war; the entering into
treaties; the regulation of foreign commerce; the
equalization of duties upon impons, so as to prevent
tbe defrauding of the revenue of one province by
smuggling articles of taxation from the borders of
another; and likewise so as to guard against undue
partialities in the encouragement of trade. To what
limits such a republic might, without inconveniency,
enlarge its dominions, by assuming neighbouring provinces
into the confederation; or how far it is capa ..
hie of uniting the h'berty of a small commonwealth,
with the safety of a powerful empire; or whether:J
among~t co-ordinate pvwer.s, dissentions and jealousies
would not be likely to arise, which, for want of
a common superior, might proceed to fatal extrem.
ities, are questions, upon which the record~ of mankind
do not authorize us to ,iecide with tolerable
certainty. The experiment is about to be tried in
America upon a large scaJe.
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CIIAPTER ,YU.
OF 'fHE BRI1'ISH CONSTI1'U1'ION.
By the CONSTITU nON of 3 country, is meallt,
~Q much of itc; la\v as r.;l~tes to tite desigJlation ad
. ~