-- James Wilson, Lectures in Law, Chapter 10, 1790-1792.
"By the term constitution, I mean that supreme law, made or ratified by those in
whom the sovereign power of the state resides, which prescribes the manner,
according to which the state wills that the government should be instituted and
administered. From this constitution the government derives its power: by this
constitution the power of government must be directed and controlled: of this
constitution no alteration can be made by the government; because such an
alteration would destroy the foundation of its own authority."
"The importance of a good constitution will, on reflection and examination, be
easily conceived, deeply felt, and readily acknowledged. On the constitution will
depend the beneficence, the wisdom, and the energy, or the injustice, the folly,
and the weakness of the government and laws. On the good or bad qualities of the
government and laws, will depend the prosperity or the decline of the state. On
the same good or bad qualities will depend, on one hand, the excellence and
happiness, and, on the other, the depravity and infelicity of the citizens."
"A person of a very different description appears in view ― pale, trembling,
emaciated, faltering in his steps, not daring to look upwards, but, with marked
anxiety, rolling his eager eyes on every side. Who is he? He is the slave of a bad
constitution and a tyrannical government. He is afraid to act, or speak, or look.
He knows that his actions and his words, however guarded, may be construed to be
criminal: he knows that even his looks and countenance may be considered as the
signs and evidences of treacherous thoughts and treasonable conspiracies; and he
knows that the suspicion of his masters, upon any of these points, may be fatal:
for he knows, that he is at the mercy of those, who, upon the slightest suspicion,
may seize or hang him ― who may do whatever they please with him, and with all
those who are dear to him. What effects must this man's situation produce upon his
mind and temper? Can his views be great or exalted? No. Such views, instead of
being encouraged, would give offence; and he is well aware what would follow. Can
openness and candour beam from his soul? No. Such light would be hateful to his
masters; it must be extinguished. Can he feel affection for his country, its
constitution, or its government? No. His country is his prison; its constitution
is his curse; and its government is a rod of oppression, held continually over his
head. What must this man be? He must be abject, fawning, dastardly, selfish,
disingenuous, deceitful, cunning, base ― but why proceed in the disgusting detail?
He must receive the stamp of servility fully impressed on his person, on his mind,
and on his manners."
-- Jon
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