If any ask me what a free government is, I answer, that, for any practical purpose, it is what the people think so,--and that they, and not I, are the natural, lawful, and competent judges of this matter.
Burke asserts that the essence of a free government lies in the people's perception and judgment.
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More from Edmund Burke
As he is not to obey us, but we are to obey the law in him, our Constitution has made no sort of provision towards rendering him, as a servant, in any degree responsible.
But supposing they had ranked as they ought to do, and as with us they do actually, the sides of sick-beds are not the academies for forming statesmen and legislators.
If kings who did not owe their crown to the choice of their people had no title to make laws, what will become of the statute De tallagio non concedendo? of the Petition of Right? of the act of Habeas Corpus?
But the course of succession is the healthy habit of the British Constitution.
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