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10

its powers and oppress the people. In short, it is generally
believed that, in a republic, liberty is safe.

One reason for this general belief may be, that the
history of nations in the old world, and particularly in
Asia, has, from time immemorial, exhibited monarchs as
tyrants. It seems to be taken for granted that all mo-
narchies, all kingly governments, are tyrannies.

This, as a general fact in past ages, may be admitted.
But connected with this subject, there are some popular
errors which ought to be corrected.

1. The tyranny of a monarch depends o his disposi-
tion. If one man has the sole power of making
laws, the government is arbitrary in form, but the
administration of it may be mild or tyrannical, at
the pleasure of the prince. And it often happens
that a monarch administers the government in such
a manner to do equal justice, and secure to all
his subjects their rights or all the liberty which
they desire.

2. In modern Europe, in nations civilized, and in which
a great portion of the citizens are educated men, cul-
tivating arts and science, and carrying on trade and
manufactures, monarchs cannot exercise tyrannical
power. In such nations, the public sense of rights,
to which the citizens are entitled, restrains kings
from acts of oppression. This improved state of
society, which began with the revival of learning,
arts and commerce, in the thirteenth or fourteenth
century, for ever precludes the possibility of the es-

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