rd Camden supposes
a necessity (which the king is to judge of), and, founded upon
that necessity, attributes to the crown a legal power (not given
by the act itself) to suspend the operation of an act of the
legislature, I listen to them both, with diffidence and respect,
but without the smallest degree of conviction or assent. Yet I
doubt not they delivered their real sentiments, nor ought they to
be hastily condemned.... I mean only to illustrate one useful
proposition, which it is the intention of this paper to inculcate,
'That we should not generally reject the friendship or services of
any man because he differs from us in a particular opinion.' This
will not appear a superfluous caution, if we observe the ordinary
conduct of mankind. In public affairs, there is the least chance
of a perfect concurrence of sentiment or inclination; yet every
man is able to contribute something to the common stock, and no
man's contribution should be rejected. If individuals have no
virtues, their vices may be of use to us. I care not with what
principle the new-born patriot is animated, if the measures he
supports are beneficial to the community. The nation is interested
in his conduct. His motives are his own. The properties of a
patriot are perishable in the individual; but there is a quick
succession of subjects, and the breed is worth preserving. The
spirit of the Americans may be an useful example to us. Our dogs
and horses are only English upon English ground; but patriotism,
it seems, may be improved by transplanting. I will not reject a
bill which tends to confine parliamentary privilege within
reasonable bounds, though it should be stolen from the house of
Cavendish, and introduced by Mr. Onslow. The features of the
infant are a proof of the descent, and vindicate the noble birth
from the baseness of the adoption.[B] I will willingly accept a
sarcasm from Colonel Barre,[C] or a simile from Mr. Burke.[D] Even
the silent vote of Mr. Calcraft is worth reckoning in a division.
What though he riots in the plunder of the army, and has only
determined to be a patriot when he could not be a peer? Let us
profit by the assistance of such men while they are with us, and
place them, if it be possible, in the post of danger to prevent
desertion. The wary Wedderburne, the pompous Suffolk, never threw
away the scabbard, nor ever went upon a forlorn hope. They alway