Wesley Corpus

And is it not also the general sense of the nation at this day? Who can deny, that the whole kingdom is panting for liberty? Is not the cry for it gone forth, not only through every part of our vast metropolis,--from the west end of the city to the east, from the north to the south, so that instead of no complaining in our streets, there is nothing but complaining,-but likewise into every corner of our land, borne by all the four winds of heaven? Liberty! Liberty! sounds through every county, every city, every town, and every hamlet ! 6. Is it not for the sake of this, that the name of our great patriot (perhaps not so admirable in his private character as the man of Ross, or so great a lover of his country as Codrus or old Curtius) is more celebrated than that of any private man has been in England for these thousand years; that his very picture is so joyfully received in every part of England and Ireland; that we stamp his (I had almost said, adored) name on our handkerchiefs, on the cheerful bowl, yea, and on our vessels of various kinds, as well as upon our hearts? Why is all this, but because of the inseparable connexion between Wilkes and liberty; liberty that came down, if not fell, from Theaven; whom all England and the world worshippeth ? 7. But mean time might it not be advisable to consider, (if we are yet at leisure to consider anything,) what is liberty? Because it is well known the word is capable of various senses. And possibly it may not be equally desirable in every sense of the word. 8. There are many nations in America, those particularly that border on Georgia and Carolina, wherein if one dis approves of what another says, or perhaps dislikes his looks, he scorns to affront him to his face, neither does he betray the least dissatisfaction. But as soon as opportunity serves, he steps from behind a tree and shoots him. And none calls him that does it to an account. No; this is the liberty he derives from his forefathers. 9.