On the recordJanuary 1, 1790
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.
Said by
Edmund Burke
Source
gutenberg.orgEdmund 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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More from Edmund Burke
Jan 1, 1790
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?
Jan 1, 1790
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.
Jan 1, 1790
But the king of Great Britain obeys no other person; all other persons are individually, and collectively too, under him, and owe to him a legal obedience.
Jan 1, 1790
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.
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