And
thus much may suffice to show that, as far as we have any light from
history, we have reason to conclude that all peaceful beginnings of
government have been laid in the consent of the people. I say
"peaceful," because I shall have occasion, in another place, to
speak of conquest, which some esteem a way of beginning of
governments.
The other objection, I find, urged against the beginning of
polities, in the way I have mentioned, is this, viz.:
113. "That all men being born under government, some or other, it is
impossible any of them should ever be free and at liberty to unite
together and begin a new one, or ever be able to erect a lawful
government." If this argument be good, I ask, How came so many
lawful monarchies into the world? For if anybody, upon this
supposition, can show me any one man, in any age of the world, free to
begin a lawful monarchy, I will be bound to show him ten other free
men at liberty, at the same time, to unite and begin a new
government under a regal or any other form. It being demonstration
that if any one born under the dominion of another may be so free as
to have a right to command others in a new and distinct empire,
every one that is born under the dominion of another may be so free
too, and may become a ruler or subject of a distinct separate
government.
Pages:
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115