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Untitled Article
only praise which can be accorded to his disposition is that , of itself , it is harmless . For any good which accrues from his existence to the community , he might well be spared from the list of animal creation . There is yet another hybrid to which the moderate Whig assimilates , and that animal is the mule . In some of its points may be
traced a likeness to its more noble sire , and its appearance , at first sight , induces better expectations than are warranted by its action and paces . For while its form resembles more nearly its less worthy dam , its temper and disposition seem to be wholly derived from the same original . It inherits a large share of her apathy , and her dislike to brisk and lively motion , though endowed
with abilities far superior to hers when roused ,, at last , by strong stimulants . In that case it is capable of climbing even the steepest acclivities ,, but it plods on its way with the difficulty and reluctance of obstinacy . Its greatest manifestation of instinct is observable in the skill and facility with which it descends from a proud and eminent position to a more congenial level .
Though creation numbers sundry other animals , whose habits and conformation might well be employed in the illustration of the anomalous creature with whom we have now to do , they may be omitted , in order that we may examine him upon his own merits . Were he summoned to confession , he would no doubt affirm , in his own behalf , strong feelings of an enlarged and comprehensive philanthropy . He would not be slow to admit , that the aim of
all good government should be the greatest happiness of the greatest possible number . But were the examination pushed with searching strictness , he would not evince any great willingness to concur in the plans , which can alone annex real merit to his notions . The great and overwhelming fault of his character is , his utter incapability of promoting practical good . He talks largely and acts insignificantly .
It has been said , that all men are liberally inclined till they have an opportunity of acting illiberally . If the moderate Whig succeed in escaping this imputation , he will , nevertheless , stand convicted of omitting many opportunities of acting liberally , when such a line of conduct might be pursued without disadvantage , and with high credit to himself . But the melancholy truth is , that he is a moral coward , and fears to lay hold of those occasions
for the common good , which the bold knave distorts to his own selfish purposes . Like a drone , he should be banished from the confines of active and enterprising society . What can be done with a man who acknowledges evils , and yet hesitates to strive for their abolition ? Who sees his neighbours girding themselves fora noble and holy contest , and holds aloof , or else retains his scabbard , when all his comrades have thrown theirs aside . c Our houses are falling about our ears , ' says the citizen of sense and activity , c the wind whistles through their chinks , and
Untitled Article
852 The Moderate Whig .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Dec. 2, 1833, page 852, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2628/page/48/
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