Reflection 72

On “doing justice, but loving mercy” in the trial of Lord Melville*...

My country might justly demand that, in my decision on Lord Melville’s conduct, I should be governed by the rules of justice, and the principles of the constitution, without suffering party considerations, personal friendship, or any extrinsic motive whatever, to interfere; that in all that was substantial I should deem myself as in the exercise of a judicial office. But when the sentence of the law is past, is not that sufficient? Am I to join in the execution of it? Is it to be expected of me that I am to stifle the natural feelings of the heart, and not even to shed a tear over the very sentence I am pronouncing? I know not what Spartan virtue or Stoical pride might require, but I know that I am taught a different, aye, and a better lesson by a greater than either Lycurgus or Zeno. Christianity enforces no such sacrifice. She requires us indeed to do justice, but to love mercy. I learn not in her school to triumph even over a conquered enemy; and must I join the triumph over a fallen friend?

*Lord Melville (Henry Dundas) was impeached for financial misconduct that occurred under his watch as Navy Treasurer some twenty years before.

Date: June 1805

Volume 3: Pages 228-229

Posted: 20260620