In that Constitution, elective, temporary, local judges, such as you have contrived, exercising their dependent functions in a narrow society, must be the worst of all tribunals.
Edmund Burke: “In that Constitution, elective, temporary, local judges, such as you have contrived, exercising their dependent…”
Editor's note · Context
In his critique of the French Revolution, Burke condemns the new system of elective, temporary, and local judges as the worst possible tribunals.
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Not being illuminated with the light of which the gentlemen of France tell us they have got so abundant a share, they acted under a strong impression of the ignorance and fallibility of mankind.
I think our happy situation owing to our Constitution,--but owing to the whole of it, and not to any part singly,--owing in a great measure to what we have left standing in our several reviews and reformations, as well as to what we have…
I would not exclude alteration neither; but even when I changed, it should be to preserve.
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