Graham R (Ed.) - Anarchism - A Documentary History of Libertarian Ideas Volume One - From Anarchy to Anarchism (300 CE to 1939)

14/ ANARC HISM
An appeal to fo rce mllst appear to both parties, in proportion to the soundness
of their understanding. to be a confession of imbecility. He that has recourse to it
would have no occasion for this expedient ifhe were sufficiently acquainted with the
powers of that truth it is his office to communicate.lfthere be any man who, in suffe
ring punishment. is not conscious of injury. he must have had his mind previously
debased by slavery. and his sense of moral right and wrong blunted by a series of
oppressions.
If there be any truth more unquestionable than the rest, it is that every man is
bound to the exertion of his fa culties in the discovery of right. and to the carrying into effect
all the right with which he is acquainted. It may be granted that an infallible standard,
if it could be discovered, would be considerably beneficial. But this infallible
standard itself would be of little use in human affairs. unless it had the property of reasoning
as well as deciding, of enlightening the mind as well as constraining the body. If a
man be in some cases obliged to prefer his own judgement. he is in all cases obliged to
consult that judgement, before he can determine whether the matter in question be of
the sort provided fo r or no. So that from this reasoning it ultimately appears that the
conviction of a man's individual understanding is the only legitimate principle imposing
on him the duty of adopting any species of conduct ...
No government can subsist in a nation the individuals of which shall merely abstain
from tumultuous resistance, while in their genuine sentiments tlwy (i'n"lIfP
and despise its institution. In other words, government cannot proceed but upon
confidence, as confidence on the other hand cannot exist without ignorance. The
true supporters of governnlC'nt arc the vVeak and uninfonru:-u, dllU nul the wise. in
proportion as weakness and ignorance shall diminish, the basis of government will
also decay. This however is an event which ought not to be contemplated with alarm.
A catastrophe of this description would be the true euthanasia of government. If the
annihilation of blind confidence and implicit opinion can at any time be effected.
there will necessarily succeed in their place an unforced concurrence of all in promoting
the general welfare .
...[N]othing can be more indefensible than a project for introducing by violence
that state of society which our judgements may happen to approve. In the first place.
no persons are ripe fo r the participation of a benefit the advantage of which they do
not understand. No people are competent to enjoy a state offreedom who are not already
imbued with a love of freedom. The most dreadful tragedies will infallibly result
from an attempt to goad mankind prematurely into a position, however
abstractedly excellent, fo r which they are in no degree prepared. Secondly, to