I have seldom known a soldier who, at the intercession of his friends, and at their no small charge, had been redeemed from that discipline, that in a short time was not eager to return to it again.
Edmund Burke: “I have seldom known a soldier who, at the intercession of his friends, and at their no small charge, had been redeemed…”
Editor's note · Context
Burke observes the tendency of soldiers to return to military life after being released.
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Their objects would be enlarged with their elevation; but their disposition, and habits, and mode of accomplishing their designs must remain the same.
They look upon the legal hereditary succession of their crown as among their rights, not as among their wrongs,--as a benefit, not as a grievance,--as a security for their liberty, not as a badge of servitude.
No experience has taught us that in any other course or method than that of an hereditary crown our liberties can be regularly perpetuated and preserved sacred as our hereditary right.
This is the spirit of our Constitution, not only in its settled course, but in all its revolutions.





