Page:Thoughts on civil liberty, on licentiousness and faction.djvu/121

 with, and to pass for the Friends of Freedom.

When therefore such doubtful Measures become the Subject of political Contention; it may be difficult to determine, from the mere Circumstance of Opinion, who are the Friends of Liberty, and who the Abettors of Faction: Because, in these Points, there may be an incidental Difference of Opinion, even among the Friends of Liberty themselves.

A much surer Determination may be formed on the Manner and Conduct of the dissenting Party: For the Friend of Liberty, having no selfish Views, will be rational, honest, equitable, in the Prosecution of his Wishes. He who is actuated by the Spirit of Licentiousness and Faction, will be irrational, dishonest, iniquitous.

Let us, then, endeavour to particularize these distinctive Marks or Characters: Thus shall we best be able to determine, "who are the Friends of Liberty, and who the Abettors of Licentiousness and Faction."