ether the nation is really exasperated to such a degree
as is represented, whether it is the general opinion of mankind that the
publick affairs have been unfaithfully administered, and whether this
bill has been dictated by a desire of publick justice, or of private
revenge, I have not thought it necessary to inquire; having long learned
to act in consequence of my own conviction, not of the opinions of
others, at least, not of those who determine upon questions which they
cannot understand, and judge without having ever obtained an opportunity
of examining.

Such, my lords, must be the opinions of the people upon questions of
policy, opinions not formed by reflection, but adopted from those whom
they sometimes, with very little reason, imagine nearer spectators of
the government than themselves, and in whom they place an implicit
confidence, on account of some casual act of popularity.

I shall not, therefore, think the demands of the people a rule of
conduct, nor shall ever fear to incur their resentment in the
prosecution of their interest. I shall never flatter their passions to
obtain their favour, or gratify their revenge for fear of their
contempt. The inconstancy, my lords, of publick applause, all of us have
observed, and many of us have experienced; and we know that it is very
far from being always the reward of merit. We know that the brightest
character may be easily darkened by calumny; that those who are
labouring for the welfare of the publick, may be easily represented as
traitors and oppressors; and that the people may quickly be persuaded to
join in the accusation.

That the people, however deceived, have a right to accuse whomsoever
they suspect, and that their accusation ought to be heard, I do not
deny; but surely, my lords, the opinion of the people is not such a
proof of guilt as will justify a method of prosecution never known
before, or give us a right to throw down the barriers of liberty, and
punish by power those whom we cannot convict by law.

Let any of your lordships suppose himself by some accident exposed to
the temporary malice of the populace, let him imagine his enemies
inflaming them to a demand of a prosecution, and then proposing that he
should be deprived of the common methods of defence, and that evidence
should be hired against him, lest the publick should be disappointed,
and he will quickly discover the unreasonableness of this bill.

I suppose no man will deny, that met