Edmund Burke: “And if the exercise of this power should happen in its outset to fall into bad hands, the ordinary chances for mending…”

Do they mean to attaint and disable backwards all the kings that have reigned before the Revolution, and consequently to stain the throne of England with the blot of a continual usurpation?

They have little regard to the obvious consequences of their doctrine, though they may see that it leaves positive authority in very few of the positive institutions of this country.

Those who are servants in name, as well as in effect, do not like to be told of their situation, their duty, and their obligations.

When such an unwarrantable maxim is once established, that no throne is lawful but the elective, no one act of the princes who preceded this era of fictitious election can be valid.