John Laurens to Francis Kinloch, 16 June, 1776

My Ambition Kinloch is to live under a Republican Government_ I hate the Name of King_ but this is returning you Opinion for Opinion, now let us examine the Reasons upon which Sentiments thus diametrically opposite, are founded_ In a Democracy say you a Man is condemn’d to a hateful Mediocrity and the Desire of excelling shooks the Spirit of the Constitution_ to be confounded among Butchers & ca_ is dreadful to a Man of Education and Feeling_ If you mean by Mediocrity, the Government of a Man’s Passions, the continual Sacrifice of private Interest to public Good from which kind of Conduct, a Happiness which Riches cannot give, results to the Individual, and Strength and Grandeur are ensur’d to the State, I agree with you that it is required in the Government to which I give the preference_ and am persuaded that no Man who is govern’d by his Reason will object to such Mediocrity_ if you mean_ as seems more probably from what follows in the Sentence that Ambition is clog’d by the Government, and a Man cannot make a Figure by exerting laudable Talents_ that I must beg leave totally to deny_ under a Republican Government there is the fullest Scope for Ambition directed in it’s proper Channel, in the only Channel in which it ought to be allowed, I mean for the Advancement of Public Good_ need I desire you for proof to turn to the Histories of Ancient Republics_ no_ your Memory will present to you Instances enough of Men vying with each other in the glorious Service of their Country and receiving distinguished Marks of Approbation from her_ Does this noble Emulation, or it’s consequent pure Rewards, shock the Spirit of Democracy_ no_ but the Ambition of acquiring greater Riches than the rest of ones fellow Citizens, the establishing that odious Inequality of Fortunes, Source of Luxury and Wretchedness in Society_ or that of usurping more power than the Laws allow_ such pernicious Ambition shocks the equitable Spirit of a Republic and the Selfish Enemy to his Country, in whose Conduct it appears, must fall under the wholsome Rigour of the Law_
To be confounded with Tradesmen, and mean Mechanics, you add, would give pain to Men of Education and feeling_ I know not how a Man of Education and Talents would be lost undistinguished in an ignorant Herd, unless by his own Neglect_ for he has it in his power to do his Country more eminent and essential Service, and thereby entitles himself to more signal Rewards_ these Rewards I grant you are not calculated to enrich the Individual and introduce all the odious and destructive Consequences of Riches_ but they are fully satisfactory to a Virtuous Mind_ surely no virtuous philosophic Mind will take Offence that the useful industrious part of the Community, should have their persons and properties equally protected with those of the most enlighten’d Men_ nor think it unreasonable, that they should choose Men whom they judge worthy of the important Trust of Governing_ I will not repeat here the Maxims respecting Government, which have been established by a Sidney, a Locke, a Rousseau, and which strike Unison with the Sentiments of every manly Breast_ but beg you to read them, persuading myself that you will then be a Convert to the Cause of Humanity, and no longer an Advocate for Kings.
‘But in a Monarchy every generous principle of the Mind is developed, honour instills a Warmth, Ambition &_ the Hand of a King_’
In Monarchy a foolish or Knavish King whichever Chance has happen’d to place upon the Throne, for very seldom is it possible from the Nature of their Education and other Circumstances that a wise or virtuous King can sit there_ is surrounded by designing, servile Flatterers, the Business of whom, it is, to make the foolish Monarch believe and act as will best suit their purposes_ and those of their Dependents_ despicable Wretches who by turns cringe before their Master, and tyrannize over an inferior Order of Cringers_ but if the King for the Misfortune of his Country is a Man of Abilities, they become the Instruments of his Tyranny, and share the spoils of those whom they have assisted in ruining_
How are Places of Honour and Trust given in such a Government_ according to Merit? yes if a Man have the Merit_ of a fair Sister and can be so abject as to play the Pander to a great Man’s Lust, he shall make a conspicuous figure in Life_ ‘Every generous principle is developed’_ if you please, every infamous Germ that can disgrace Humanity is most luxuriantly developed in your admired form of Government_ what Room is there for generous Emulation, when Men of Merit overlooked, see Crowds who have nothing to recommend them but their having been subservient to the Vices of the great, or at best Family Interest, advanced above their Heads_ to Your unfinished Sentence I will add, the Hands of a King ought to be tied_ that he may do no Mischief_ but a better way would be to have no King at all_