Observations on the importance of the American Revolution, and the means of making it a benefit to the world. By Richard Price, D.D. L.L.D. and fellow of the Royal Society of London, and of the Academy of Arts and Sciences in New-England.

OBSERVATIONS, &c. Of the IMPORTANCE of the REVOLUTION which has established the Independence of the United States.

HAVING, from pure conviction, taken a warm part in favour of the British colonies (now the United States of America) during the late war; and been exposed, in consequence of this, to much abuse and some danger; it must be supposed that I have been waiting for the issue with anxiety—I am thankful that my anxiety is removed; and that I have been spared to be a witness to that very issue of the war which has been all along the object of my wishes. With heart-felt satisfaction, I see the revo∣lution in favour of universal liberty which has taken place in America;—a revolution which opens a new prospect in human affairs, and begins a new aera in the history of man∣kind;

—a revolution by which Britons them∣selves will be the greatest gainers, if wise enough to improve properly the check that has been given to the despotism of their mi∣nisters, and to catch the flame of virtuous li∣berty which has saved their American brethren.

The late war, in its commencement and pro∣gress, did great good by disseminating just sen∣timents of the rights of mankind, and the na∣ture of legitimate government; by exciting a spirit of resistance so tyranny, which has eman∣cipated one European country, and is likely to emancipate others; and by occasioning the establishment in America of forms of govern∣ment more equitable and more liberal than any that the world has yet known. But, in its termination, the war has done still greater good by preserving the new governments from that destruction in which they must have been involved, had Britain conquered; by provid∣ing, in a sequestered continent possessed of many singular advantages, a place of refuge for opprest men in every region of the world; and by laying the foundation there of an em∣pire which may be the seat of liberty, science and virtue, and from whence there is reason to hope these sacred blessings will spread, till they become universal and the time arrives when kings and priests shall have no more power to oppress, and that ignominious sla∣very which has hitherto debased the world is

exterminated. I therefore, think I see the hand of Providence in the late war working for the general good; and can scarcely avoid crying out, It was the Lord's doing.

Reason, as well as tradition and revelati∣on, lead us to expect that a more improved and happy state of human affairs will take place before the consumination of all things. The world has hitherto been gradually im∣proving. Light and knowledge have been gaining ground, and human life at present, compared with what it once was, is much the same that a youth approaching to manhood is compared with an infant.

Such are the natures of things that this progress must continue. During particular intervals it may be interrupted, but it cannot be destroy'd. Every present advance pre∣pares the way for farther advances; and a single experiment or discovery may some∣times give rise to so many more as suddenly to raise the species higher, and to resemble the effects of opening a new sense, or of the fall of a spark on a train that springs a mine. For this reason, mankind may at last arrive at degrees of improvement which we cannot now even suspect to be possible. A dark age may follow an enlightened age; but, in this case, the light, after being smothered for a time, will break out again with a brighter lustre.

The present age of increased light, considered as succeeding the ages of Greece and Rome and an intermediate period of thick darkness, fur∣nishes a proof of the truth of this observation. There are certain kinds of improvement which, when once made, cannot be entirely lost. During the dark ages, the improvements made in the ages that preceded them remain∣ed so far as to be recovered immediately at the resurrection of letters, and to produce after∣wards that more rapid progress in improve∣ment which has distinguished modern times.

There can scarcely be a more pleasing and encouraging object of reflection than this. An accidental observation of the effects of gravity in a garden has been the means of dis∣covering the laws that govern the solar sys∣tem* 1.1, and of enabling us to look down with pity on the ignorance of the most enlightened times among the antients. What new digni∣ty has been given to man, and what additions have been made to his powers, by the inven∣tion of optical glasses, printing, gun-powder, &c. and by the late discoveries in navigation, mathematics, natural philosophy, &c.?

But among the events in modern times tend∣ing to the elevation of mankind, there are none

probably of so much consequence as the re∣cent one which occasions these observations. Perhaps, I do not go too far when I say that, next to the introduction of Christianity among mankind, the American revolution may prove the most important step in the progressive course of human improvement. It is an event which may produce a general diffusion of the principles of humanity, and become the means of setting free mankind from the shack∣les of superstition and tyranny, by leading them to see and know

that nothing is fun∣damental but impartial enquiry, an honest mind, and virtuous practice—that state policy ought not to be applied to the sup∣port of speculative opinions and formula∣ries of faith.

—

That the members of a civil community are confederates, not sub∣jects; and their rulers, servants, not masters. —And that all legitimate government consists in the dominion of equal laws made with common consent; that is, in the do∣minion of men over themselves; and not in the dominion of communities over commu∣nities, or of any men over other men.

Happy will the world be when these truths shall be every where acknowledged and prac∣tised upon. Religious bigotry, that cruel demon, will be then laid asleep. Slavish go∣vernments and slavish Hierarchies will then

sink▪ and the old prophecies be verified,

that the last universal empire upon earth shall be the empire of reason and virtue, under which the gospel of peace (better understood) shall have free course and be glo∣rified, many will run to and fro and knowledge be increased, the wolf dwell with the lamb and the leopard with the kid, and nation no more lift up a sword against nation.

It is a conviction I cannot resist, that the in∣dependence of the English colonies in Ameri∣ca is one of the steps ordained by Providence to introduce these times; and I can scarcely be deceived in this conviction, if the United States should escape some dangers which threaten them, and will take proper care to throw themselves open to future improve∣ments, and to make the most of the advantages of their present situation. Should this happen, it will be true of them as it was of the people of the Jews, that in them all the families of the earth shall be blessed. It is scarcely possible they should think too highly of their own conse∣quence. Perhaps, there never existed a peo∣ple on whose wisdom and virtue more depend∣ed: or to whom a station of more importance in the plan of Providence has been assigned. They have begun nobly. They have fought with success for themselves and for the world; and, in the midst of invasion and carnage, es∣tablished

forms of government favourable in the highest degree to the rights of mankind. —But they have much more to do; more indeed than it is possible properly to represent. In this address, my design is only to take no∣tice of a few great points which seem particu∣larly to require their attention, in order to render them permanently happy in themselves and useful to mankind. On these points, I shall deliver my sentiments with freedom, conscious I mean well; but, at the same time, with real diffidence, conscious of my own lia∣bleness to error.

Notes

• * 1.1

  This refers to an account given of Sir Isaac Newton, in the Preface to Dr. PEMBERTON'S View of his Philosophy.