HKB
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Often appears with: tories and whigs · political legitimacy and consent · political corruption · places and pensions · faction, party, and civil strife · corruption, patronage, and bribery
Usually: reflection (1) · censure (1) · indignation (1)
“Converts from places and pensions are only to be made by places and pensions; all other reasoning is idle; these are the penultima ratio of the tories, as field pieces are the ultima.” John Adams, Novanglus, and Massachusettensis · wit
John Adams argues that pro-ministry “fugitives” and shifting politicians oppose their country, lack real principles, and are motivated mainly by places and pensions, spreading resentment rather than unity.
was never yet extended in any country so far, as the utter subversion of all religion and morality; nor as the abolition of the laws and constitution of the country. But "are not these persons as closely connected with the interest of their country as the whigs?" I answer, they are not: they have found an interest in opposition to that of their country, and are making themselves rich and their families illustrious, …