1819 Aug 16 10

Fallacies Ch | | Logical Highfliers

4

2. Exposure

3. Among the features of the Constitution, along with the good ones we may have likewise, supposing it possible there should be any, all the bad ones: and thus in the word Constitution we have another cloak for the bad ones: and another sacred object of the reformist's enmity.

4. Among the fruits or works of Government, Law, and the Constitution are Institutions: and if the import belonging to that word is more or less loose, and therefore occasionally comprehensive it serves but the better for a cloak. By the limitative adjunct English the amplitude of the cloak is not to any practical purpose narrowed: for such abuses as are English as the only abuses for which any cover is in demand, and by the word English thus employed intimation is given to every true Englishman that nothing that is English can be short of perfection, consequently that among English institutions there can not be any bad ones. Thus supposing there were any, it is manifest how excellent a cover for them these words English Institutions would make: and how proper an object for enmity he is who by indication given of any thing that s amiss in any institution that can be called an English one demonstrates himself an enemy to those objects to which, whatever they are or may be no attachment can be too indiscriminating, too blind, or too fond. -