DEMOCRACY, the same with a popu lar government, wherein the supreme power is lodged in the hands of the peo ple.
The advantages of a democracy, where the people at large, either collectively, or by representation, constitute the le gislature, are, liberty, or exemption from needless restrictions, equal laws, regula tions adapted to the wants and eircum, stances of the people, public spirit, fru gality, averseness from war, the oppor tunities which democratic assemblies af ford to men of every description, of pro ducing their abilities and councils to pub lic observation, and the exciting thereby, and calling forth to the service of the commonwealth, the faculties of the best citizens. The evils attendant upon this form of government are, dissention, tu mults, faction, the attempts of powerful citizens to possess themselves of empire, the confusion and clamour which are the inevitable consequences of assembling multitudes, and of propounding questions of slate to the disCussion of the people ; the delay and disclosure of public coon-. oils and designs ; and the imbecility of measures, retarded by the necessity of obtaining the consent of numbers ; lastly, the oppression of the provinces which are not admitted to a participation in the legislative power. The late excellent Dr. Paley mentions other advantages of a democratic constitution, which, he says, I ought not be forgotten ; .t.iz. the direc
tion which it gives to the education, studies, and pursuits of the superior or ders of the community. The share which this has in forming the public manners ;1 and national character is very important,' Popular elections procure to the common Zi people courtesy from their superiors./ The satisfaction which the people, in free ' governments, derive from the knowledge and agitation of political subjects; such as the proceedings and debates of the senate, the conduct and character of mi nisters, the revolutions, . intrigues, and contentions of parties : and, in general, from the discussion of public measures, questions, and occurrences. " Subjects 1 of this sort," says the learned author of! the " Principles of Moral and Political Philosophy,' excite just enough of inter-, est and emotion to afford a moderate en gagement to the thoughts, without risingl to any painful degree of anxiety, or ever : leaving a fixed oppression upon the spi-1 rite ;—and what is this but the end and aim of all those amusements, which com- I , pose so much of the business of life, and. ) of the value of riches. See mired: CONSTITUTION, &C.