For if others than those whom the society hath
authorised thereunto do choose, or in another way than what the
society hath prescribed, those chosen are not the legislative
appointed by the people.
217. Fourthly, the delivery also of the people into the subjection
of a foreign power, either by the prince or by the legislative, is
certainly a change of the legislative, and so a dissolution of the
government. For the end why people entered into society being to be
preserved one entire, free, independent society to be governed by
its own laws, this is lost whenever they are given up into the power
of another.
218. Why, in such a constitution as this, the dissolution of the
government in these cases is to be imputed to the prince is evident,
because he, having the force, treasure, and offices of the State to
employ, and often persuading himself or being flattered by others,
that, as supreme magistrate, he is incapable of control; he alone is
in a condition to make great advances towards such changes under
pretence of lawful authority, and has it in his hands to terrify or
suppress opposers as factious, seditious, and enemies to the
government; whereas no other part of the legislative, or people, is
capable by themselves to attempt any alteration of the legislative
without open and visible rebellion, apt enough to be taken notice
of, which, when it prevails, produces effects very little different
from foreign conquest.
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