Digital Paxton: Digital Collection, Critical Edition, and Teaching Platform

Remarks on the Quaker Unmasked - 5

Germantown, a place where some People made all their Charity center. "Let us impartially next consider Quakers with Respect to Government. Can it be consistent that a Person who declares that his Conscience by divine Inspiration forbids him to have any Hand in shedding Blood, should be intrusted as a Representative for People, who look upon themselves to be obliged by the Laws of God, the Laws of Nature, and the Laws of their King and Country to take up Arms to defend themselves, and punish those who would deprive them of Life and Property." If Q—rs are under those Circumstances, so improper to represent a People, (between whose Sentiments there is so great a Contrast) why are they chosen as such? They have never obtained their Seats in the House of Assembly by either any secret or understanding Means, or any open violent Measure, but so far from that, what few are in the House, have been annually, by public Advertisments, declaring their desire of resigning, and requesting the Election of others in their Room: If there are so many Disadvantages flow from their being Members of a legislative Body, why is not their request complied with? I am certain it can't be alledged, that the Numbers

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