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Untitled Article
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By all parties the present times are described as highly important , whether we regard the foreign relations , or internal situation of
the British kingdom . At this instant , the attention of the French ruler appears to be engrossed by objects , that have diverted him From his plan of invading this country ; but if we may be allowed-to anticipate future events by those that have passed , the time is not far distant , ere he will
again collect his forces on the shores of his empire , and renew those threats of invasion , the effects of which must be fresh in the memory of every Englishman . By the existing laws of this country , a very large proportion of its inhabitants , is declared
incapable of bearing arms in its defence : men who are not incapacitated from a want of courage or talent , of zeal or loyalty , but for having avowed it as their opinion , that the civil magistrate has not , nor ever had any right or power over the consciences of
men . A cause of incapacity which none perhaps in the present day will be hardy enough te defend , or if any such should be
found , these are the persons who would be most loud ai > d bitter in their invectives against every one , who in the hour of danger , should fce found to shelter himself behind
those disqualifications which they now refuse to repeal , and to withhold his assistance to repel the common enemy . Biit while we are regarding our
Neighbours as political enemies , and preparing our best energies to meet ' themf itf the contest , should fctich a cbntest be unavoidable ; let us not forget to regard them a * co mpetitors in a--cause in which
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Britain lias long be ^ n pre-eminently triumphant . € 5 an any bhe read that p ^ r ' t of the &cfdreds [ of the president of the United States
of America , in whibh he crtngratulates his countrymen oh' tp 6 beneficial result of those equal laws which admit every citizen to participate in all the privileges the coramunitv has to offer , cin
he , while lamenting the miserable state of political servitude , to which the French despbt has reduced his empire , contemplate that freedom of religious discussion and worship now admitted , so unusual under former systems of French government ; or can
he view the havock that is making amidst all the former corrupt anxi superstitious governments and establishments of Europe ; frorn which the philosophic and reflecting mind , anticipates the most joyous results to the cause of freedom and humanity ; and not feel himself animated in that cause ,
whose aim is to continue to this kingdom , the honourable fore - most post we have enjoyed ^ of encouraging the advance of learning and freedom , and of repelling the insidious attacks of
superstition and slavery . The origin of our restrictive ? and penal laws was in a peri od ^ most disgraceful in the BritSsa history ; their evil influence was almost instantly experienced ; and
though in the course of events ^ they may have tended to kefcg ' alive a spirit of inquity , that has led to the Jpetter knowledge of religkms rights , no just argument that they should not * ' noV be rescind . ed can be dedli ' ced from this result , so little intended or expected hy the framers pf them * ~ Seeing th ^ t it is imptosk
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Mr . KfytflSV intended Petition . 263
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* Ql . ivr 2 M
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1809, page 263, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1736/page/17/
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