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Editorial
February 10, 1800
Jenks's Portland Gazette
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
What is this article about?
A quote from Edmund Burke arguing that governments should be adapted to the diverse characters and circumstances of different peoples, such as those in Hindostan and Virginia, rather than imposing a uniform system across the empire.
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Full Text
GOVERNMENT
[FROM BURKE.]
"INSTEAD," he says, "of troubling our understanding with speculations concerning the unity of empire, and the identity or distinction of legislative powers, it was our duty, in all soberness, to conform our government to the character and circumstances of the several people who composed the mighty and strangely diversified mass. I never was wild enough to conceive, that one method would serve for the whole; that the natives of Hindostan and those of Virginia could be ordered in the same manner; or that the Cutchery court and the grand jury of Salem could be regulated on a similar plan. I was persuaded that government was a practical thing, made for the happiness of mankind; and not to furnish out a spectacle of uniformity, to gratify the schemes of visionary politicians."
[FROM BURKE.]
"INSTEAD," he says, "of troubling our understanding with speculations concerning the unity of empire, and the identity or distinction of legislative powers, it was our duty, in all soberness, to conform our government to the character and circumstances of the several people who composed the mighty and strangely diversified mass. I never was wild enough to conceive, that one method would serve for the whole; that the natives of Hindostan and those of Virginia could be ordered in the same manner; or that the Cutchery court and the grand jury of Salem could be regulated on a similar plan. I was persuaded that government was a practical thing, made for the happiness of mankind; and not to furnish out a spectacle of uniformity, to gratify the schemes of visionary politicians."
What sub-type of article is it?
Constitutional
Imperialism
What keywords are associated?
Burke Quote
Government Adaptation
Colonial Diversity
Empire Unity
Practical Governance
What entities or persons were involved?
Burke
Natives Of Hindostan
Virginia
Cutchery Court
Grand Jury Of Salem
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Adapting Government To Diverse Colonial Circumstances
Stance / Tone
Advocacy For Practical, Adaptive Governance Over Uniform Schemes
Key Figures
Burke
Natives Of Hindostan
Virginia
Cutchery Court
Grand Jury Of Salem
Key Arguments
Governments Should Conform To The Character And Circumstances Of Diverse Peoples
One Method Cannot Serve All Parts Of The Empire
Natives Of Hindostan And Virginia Require Different Governance
Cutchery Court And Grand Jury Of Salem Cannot Be Regulated Similarly
Government Is Practical, For Human Happiness, Not Visionary Uniformity