There is something so weighty and decisive in the events of war, something that so completely overpowers the imagination of the vulgar, that all counsels must in a great degree be subordinate to and attendant on them.
Edmund Burke
The Public Record
Edmund Burke was an Anglo-Irish writer, philosopher, and politician who is widely credited as the founder of the cultural and political philosophy of conservatism. Regarded as one of the most influential conservative thinkers and political writers of the 18th century, Burke spent the majority of his career in Great Britain and was elected as a member of Parliament (MP) from 1766 to 1794 in the House of Commons of Great Britain with the Whig Party. His writings played a significant role in influencing public views and opinions in both Great Britain and France following the French Revolution in 1789, and he remains a major figure in modern conservative circles.
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They are, what they always were, (except by the able use of opportunities,) by far the weakest party in this country.
They no longer criticize, as all disengaged people in the world will, on the acts of government; but they are silent under every evil, and hide and cover up every ministerial blander and misfortune, with the officious zeal of men who think…
In Liverpool they are literally almost ruined by this American war; but they love it as they suffer from it.
The greatest number have a sort of an heavy, lumpish acquiescence in government, without much respect or esteem for those that compose it.
The faults of the people are not popular vices; at least, they are not such as grow out of what we used to take to be the English temper and character.
As to that popular humor which is the medium we float in, if I can discern anything at all of its present state, it is far worse than I have ever known or could ever imagine it.
I know that he, and those who are much prevalent with him, though they are not thought so much devoted to popularity as others, do very much look to the people, and more than I think is wise in them, who do so little to guide and direct…
We live at a time when men are not repaid in fame for what they sacrifice in interest or repose.
I have ever wished a settled plan of our own, founded in the very essence of the American business, wholly unconnected with the events of the war, and framed in such a manner as to keep up our credit and maintain our system at home, in…
By not running into every popular humor, he may depend upon it, the popularity of his character will wear the better.
I rejoice to see (that very rare spectacle) a good mind, a great genius, and public activity united together, and united so early in life.
Justice is the shield of the weak; and when they choose to lay this down, and fight naked in the contest of mere power, the event will be what must be expected from such imprudence.
Besides, when there is an unfortunate emulation in restraints and oppressions, the question of strength is of the highest importance.
Before we attempt to retort, we ought to consider whether we may not injure ourselves even more than our adversary; since, in the contest who shall go the greatest length in absurdity, the victor is generally the greatest sufferer.
But still an injury is not always a reason for retaliation; nor is the folly of others with regard to us a reason for imitating it with regard to them.
Often, as in your case, they are great oppressions, as well as great absurdities.
No man living loves restrictive regulations of any kind less than myself; at best, nine times in ten, they are little better than laborious and vexatious follies.
It will be said, that Ireland, in many particulars, is not bound to consider itself as a part of the British body; because this country, in many instances, is mistaken enough to treat you as foreigners, and draws away your money by…
But those members are to consider whether these inconveniences are not fully balanced, perhaps more than balanced, by the united strength of a great and compact body.
You begin, then, to burden these people precisely at the time when their circumstances of health and fortune render them rather objects of relief and commiseration.
How many families straitened in their circumstances are there, who, from the shame, sometimes from the utter impossibility otherwise of retrenching, are obliged to remove from their country, in order to preserve their estates in their…
It would be endless to go into all the inconveniences this tax will lead to, in the conduct of private life, and the use of property.
This act plainly provides for that intercourse which supposes the strictest union in laws and policy, in both which the intended tax supposes an entire separation.
His natural elegance of mind would undoubtedly do a great deal; but I will venture to assert, without the danger of being contradicted, that he adorns his present residence in Ireland much the more for having resided a long time out of it.
Politicians like Edmund Burke
