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A Dialogue, Containing Some Reflections on the Late "Declaration and Remonstrance" - 7

sible to pass a Censure severe enough upon Rioters and Murderers in cool Blood? Let the Provocations be what they will, every humane tender Heart must shudder at, and detest both the Facts and the Authors of them; Nor is it possible for any, even their nearest Relations, to offer one single Argument of Weight in their Favour. But further; by your own Words, you seem to have a Design of yet trampling on the Laws of Government, and committing the same Thing over again, when a convenient Opportunity offers; else what is the Meaning of the Words before mentioned, on the Authors of those Facts, and others of the like nature which may hereafter happen? Now, what becomes of this humble Praying? In short, it amounts to this, and ought to be read thus, “We the distressed,” or rather, angry ‘'bleeding,” or rather, "bloodyminded, revengeful Inhabitants of Pennsylvania, do request, or rather, "insist, to have as many of the now present Laws and Acts of Assembly abolished, as suit not our Interest, or is not agreeable to our Wills; and we will, when, and as soon as it suits our other Purposes, let the Honourable Governor and Assembly know our further Pleasure.”—You farther say, in Page 3, We think it proper, thus openly to declare ourselves. And what is this Declaration? Why, that we are not sorry that we have knowingly and deliberately violated the Laws of Government, for we do frankly confess, that nothing but Necessity itself could induce us to it. To what? To downright Rebellion and Murder:—Audacious and horrid Confession indeed! And then, call it a seeming, or bearing an Appearance of flying in the Face of Government and Authority!---But how easy is it for any one that is not prejudiced in your Favour, to see through such thin Glosses and mean Sophistry? In Line 18, you say, And is attended with much Labour, Fatigue and Expence. O dear! This is neither new nor strange!—When was it ever known that an angry, giddy, violent and revengeful People, first sat down and counted the Cost, or would be persuaded to stop their mad Career, till their Folly had run them aground, and brought them

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