William Pulteney

Name: Select British Eloquence — Speech on reducing the army
Author: William Pulteney

Select British Eloquence — Speech on reducing the army (1731)

Summary

“Select British Eloquence — Speech on reducing the army”, published in 1731, is a work by William Pulteney. It explores elements such as army, Parliament and liberties.

Quotes from Select British Eloquence — Speech on reducing the army (William Pulteney)

William Pulteney, Select British Eloquence — Speech on reducing the army (1731)

“ Besides, sir, we know the passions of men; we know how dangerous it is to trust the best of men with too much power. Where was there a braver army than that under Julius Cesar? Where was there ever an army that had served their country more faithfully? That army was commanded generally by the best citizens of Rome—by men of great fortune and figure in their country; yet that army enslaved their country. The affections of the soldiers toward their country, the honor and integrity of the under officers, are not to be depended on. ”

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Source: Wikisource

William Pulteney, Select British Eloquence — Speech on reducing the army (1731)

“ Is there any army in the world continued for any term of years? Does the most absolute monarch tell his army, that he is to continue them any number of years, or any number of months? How long have we already continued our army from year to year? ”

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Source: Wikisource

William Pulteney, Select British Eloquence — Speech on reducing the army (1731)

“ A standing army is still a standing army, whatever name it be called by. They are a body of men distinct from the body of the people; they are governed by different laws; and blind obedience, and an entire submission to the orders of their commanding officer, is their only principle. The nations around us, sir, are already enslaved, and have been enslaved by these very means: by means of their standing armies they have every one lost their liberties. It is indeed impossible that the liberties of the people can be preserved in any country where a numerous standing army is kept up. ”

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Source: Wikisource

William Pulteney, Select British Eloquence — Speech on reducing the army (1731)

“ This nation, already overburdened with debts and taxes, must be loaded with the heavy charge of perpetually supporting a numerous standing army; and remain forever exposed to the danger of having its liberties and privileges trampled upon by any future king or ministry, who shall take in their head to do so, and shall take a proper care to model the army for that purpose. ”

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Source: Wikisource

William Pulteney, Select British Eloquence — Speech on reducing the army (1731)

“ I know that neither the Protestant succession in his Majesty's most illustrious house, nor any succession, can ever be safe so long as there is a standing army in the country. Armies, sir, have no regard to hereditary successions. ”

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Source: Wikisource

William Pulteney, Select British Eloquence — Speech on reducing the army (1731)

“ Therefore do not let us vainly imagine that an army raised and maintained by authority of Parliament will always be submissive to them. If an army be so numerous as to have it in their power to overawe the Parliament, they will be submissive as long as the Parliament does nothing to disoblige their favorite general; but when that case happens, I am afraid that, in place of Parliament's dismissing the army, the army will dismiss the Parliament, as they have done heretofore. ”

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Source: Wikisource

William Pulteney, Select British Eloquence — Speech on reducing the army (1731)

“ By the military law, the administration of justice is so quick, and the punishments so severe, that neither officer nor soldier dares offer to dispute the orders of his supreme commander; he must not consult his own inclinations. ”

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Source: Wikisource

William Pulteney, Select British Eloquence — Speech on reducing the army (1731)

“ Our army is now to be reduced, or never will. From his Majesty's own mouth we are assured of a profound tranquillity abroad, and we know there is one at home. If this is not a proper time, if these circumstances do not afford us a safe opportunity for reducing at least a part of our regular forces, we never can expect to see any reduction. ”

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Source: Wikisource

William Pulteney, Select British Eloquence — Speech on reducing the army (1731)

“ If an officer were commanded to pull his own father out of this House, he must do it; he dares not disobey; immediate death would be the sure consequence of the least grumbling. And if an officer were sent into the Court of Requests, accompanied by a body of musketeers with screwed bayonets, and with orders to tell us what we ought to do, and how we were to vote, I know what would be the duty of this House ”

William Pulteney

Summary

Quotes from Select British Eloquence — Speech on reducing the army (William Pulteney)

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