But In Fact, He Conceives That There Has Been A
Culpable Neglect On The Part Of Those Who At Different Periods Acquire
Authority, To The Moral Condition Of This Class Of Men.
It is obvious
indeed, that governments in general are little careful about the
characters of their subordinate agents, unless
In so far as is
essential to the purposes for which they are employed; and
accordingly, where the base and savage principles of mankind can be
converted into so powerful an instrument, as we know they are in the
present case, we shall find, that scarcely any pains have been taken
to superinduce refinement, or even to favour the salutary operation of
those causes, by which, in the ordinary course of things, society is
gradually emancipated from barbarism. The rough virtues of the seaman
are in their estimation of sufficient excellence, without the
enhancement of moral attainments; and it is questionable, indeed, if a
sort of prejudice may not lurk in the minds of many, that the latter
would be the destruction of the former. Clearly, however, it seems to
be conceived, that there is no adequate inducement to run the risk of
the experiment; and, therefore, some gross immoralities are connived
at, under the plausible title of necessary evils, provided they do not
interfere with the technical duties of the profession. Though it be
admitted, that the reformation of men's manners forms no part of the
office of a politician, yet it may be fairly pleaded, on the other
hand, as vice is in its own nature a debilitating power, independent
altogether of reference to a Supreme Being, that to eradicate it, or
to apply a restraint to its influence, may be no injudicious labour of
his vocation.
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