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A Dialogue, Containing Some Reflections on the Late "Declaration and Remonstrance" - 4

think that our Declaration and Remonstrance is either false, foolish, or impertinent, or that it borders on Rebellion. No, no, Mr. Zealot, so far from Rebellion, that I wonder that all the witty Politicians and great Geniuses in the Province, have not employed their Pens in applauding our never-to-be-forgotten Action at Lancaster; where we bravely conquer’d, our Eye not pitying, nor our Hand sparing either Age or Sex; exulting, as, one of our modern Poets says, in the Widow’s Wail, the Virgin’s Shriek, and Infant’s trembling Cry. -Oh Zealot! tell me not of Cassius, Brutus,, Caesar, Pompey, or even Alexander the Great! We! we Paxton Boys have done more than all, or any of them! We have, and it gives me Pleasure to think on’t, Slaughter’d, kill’d and cut off a whole Tribe! a Nation at once!
Here a third Person, an honest plain Man, one Lovell, interrupting, said
Lovell. Gentlemen, if I may be permitted, I will give you my opinion of the Matter you are so warmly debating; but I beg you will not be offended at what I shall offer.
Posit. Aye, aye, do, my good Neighbour Lovell, let us hear your honest, simple Opinion; for Mr. Zealot, I believe, is out of his Head.
Lovell. I believe it is not much Learning has made him mad, for setting aside the common People of the Town, and those many Readers, who judge of Books and Things like old Wives, for the sake of pretty Glosses, and fabulous Stories; I say setting aside these two Classes of People, there are three to one who say ’tis a weak and wicked Thing, and only serves to make your very bad Cause still worse.
Posit. Heyday! Heyday! Why this is worse and worse: I thought you would have been of my Side the Question!
Lovell. No, Sir, I am a Man that loves the Truth; and I humbly think, that it is always the best Side of the Question; and tho’ it should be against my Interest with Man, yet if requir’d, I shall, and must, always

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