They
crown others with all command, and binding their hands with cords, place
themselves at the disposal of those, who, in many cases, not satisfied
with thus much, must have them hookwinked also. To this they also
consent, taking care, in their great desire to be slaves, to be foremost
themselves in tying on the bandage which keeps them in darkness and in
chains for ever. Thus will they be content to live, however wronged, if
not absolutely bruised and beaten; happy to escape from the cares of an
independent mastery of their own conduct, if, in this way, they can also
escape from the noble responsibilities of independence.
The unhappy men, thus led on, as we have seen, from the commission of
misdemeanor to that of crime, in reality, never for a moment thought
upon the matter. The landlord, Dexter, and Rivers, had, time out of
mind, been their oracles; and, without referring to the distinct
condition of those persons, they reasoned in a manner not uncommon with
the ignorant.
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