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Precedent

,—a kind of argument which we must not confound with example. Precedent is only brought in proof to favour the claims and interest of kings, ministers, and the privileged classes. It is absolutely insignificant, and of no force, when the maintaining or recovering the Rights of the people is in question. This is what distinguishes precedent from example, which applies equally to all.

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Entry taken from A Political Dictionary, by Charles Pigott, 1795.

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Precedent