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1683: Algernon Sidney, republican philosopher
ExecutedToday.com ^ | December 7, 2020 | Headsman

Posted on 12/07/2020 7:44:44 PM PST by CheshireTheCat

On this date in 1683 the English politician and philosopher Algernon Sidney (or Sydney) was beheaded to uphold (so he conceived it) “the common rights of mankind, the laws of this land, and the true Protestant religion, against corrupt principles, arbitrary power, and Popery.”

He was one of the 17th century’s great philosophers of republicanism, and his Discourses Concerning Government was more influential in his lifetime than the work of his contemporary (and fellow-Whig*) John Locke.

Although the pen might be mightier than the sword, Sydney himself did not eschew the more literal form of combat and entered a triumphant battlefield for the Roundheads at Marston Moor. But despite penning a strong defense of assassinating despots,** Sidney’s disapproval of the proceedings against King Charles I — a trial at which Sidney, now a parliamentarian, sat as a commissioner — kept him free of the whiff of regicide....

(Excerpt) Read more at executedtoday.com ...


TOPICS: History
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1 posted on 12/07/2020 7:44:44 PM PST by CheshireTheCat
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To: CheshireTheCat

I’ll be sure to get Flowers...


2 posted on 12/07/2020 7:51:00 PM PST by algore
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To: algore

What are we, men or mice?


3 posted on 12/07/2020 7:53:21 PM PST by rfp1234 (Caveat Emperor)
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To: CheshireTheCat
On this date in 1683 the English politician and philosopher Algernon Sidney (or Sydney) was beheaded to uphold (so he conceived it) “the common rights of mankind, the laws of this land, and the true Protestant religion, against corrupt principles, arbitrary power, and Popery.”

My kind of guy.

May he be with God in Heaven.

4 posted on 12/07/2020 8:09:28 PM PST by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: CheshireTheCat

Bookmark


5 posted on 12/07/2020 8:27:50 PM PST by Southside_Chicago_Republican (The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog. )
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To: CheshireTheCat

Good riddance.


6 posted on 12/07/2020 8:55:31 PM PST by Romulus
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To: CheshireTheCat

.


7 posted on 12/08/2020 12:10:30 AM PST by sauropod (Let them eat kale. I will not comply. Sic semper evello mortem tyrannis.)
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To: sauropod

Sydney justified regicide to get rid of a despot.

Nero was a despot, and murdered Christians (including by burning them alive as human torches). But no Christian ever raised a hand against him; they left that to God.


8 posted on 12/08/2020 3:04:30 AM PST by CondorFlight
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To: CondorFlight

Our founders were Christians and they waged war to rid themselves and their posterity of a despot.

Your point?

Indeed, I sold my cloak long ago and hold a sword.

Peace to all who come in peace; armed defense against any who come in war.

I’ll do no unlawful violence to any man. So should all American believers.


9 posted on 12/08/2020 1:39:03 PM PST by Manly Warrior (US ARMY (Ret), "No Free Lunches for the Dogs of War" )
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