Page:Conciones ad populum. Or, Addresses to the people (IA concionesadpopul00cole).pdf/47



the disclosal of Opinion, it is our duty to consider the character of those, to whom we address ourselves, their situations, and probable degree of knowledge. We should be bold in the avowal of political Truth among those only whose minds are susceptible of reasoning: and never to the multitude, who ignorant and needy must necessarily act from the impulse of inflamed Passions. But however carefully the Advocate of Freedom may preserve this distinction, the Child of Prejudice and the Slave of Corruption will industriously represent it as confounded: whatever may be the sentiments and language of the present Address, the attempt to promote Discussion will be regarded as dangerous, and from