date

[1818 Nov\T rT\. 23. D 4 Whigs
[1818 Nov\T rT\. 23. D

4

Whigs and Revolution

1

4. They no superior[?]

' 4. Supposing it repeated, the advantage would be all to the Whigs none to the people.

A revolution such as that in 1688 being a sort of event the recurrence of which is not only in itself but in the eyes of those who thus laud it impossible the manner in which supposing it to recurr it would affect their Interest is a consideration it may be said which neither in itself nor in their eyes can have any great claim to regard. But the consequences that belong to a political change are not are all times correctly and compleatly present to every eye: when a change of this sort is spoken of imagination never fails to clothe it in a sort of apparent reality: and if in the nature of it, supposing it real there were any thing very plainly opposite to their Interests the idea of this oppositeness would scarcely fail to damp more or less the fervor[?] of their applause.

In a Revolution similar to that in question what then can a man in their situation see that would be adverse to his political interest. Answer - just nothing. In the possession of their share in the Government in possession of their seats - the revolution found them: and in possession of that same share it left them.

For the great body of the people what was it that in the form which they give to that change they obtained? What can not be said is that they obtained absolutely nothing: but what may be said - and truly said - is - that they obtained nothing from the people but that sort and degree of security which they could not avoid obtaining but on condition of not obtain[?] it for themselves.]
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    ' | | Uselessness and mischievousness of such talk to the cause of the people.

    If so it were that the cause of the people were as well served by this sort of profession as by any other that could be substituted to it altogether immaterial would it be what the inducement where that gave birth to it. But in no degree is the cause of the people served: it is rather deserved by it: if with relation to the cause of the people it has any effect that effect is disserviceable. In no shape but that in which it gave birth to that revolution does the disease of Misrule require for its remedy any constitutional change: in no shape but that in which at and by that same revolution it was administered does any such disease require any remedy or admitt of any that upon the whole is a beneficial one. Such are the Notions which if not directly advanced are at any rate insinuated and by being represented as implied inculcated.

    Well then the sort and degree of misrule which gave birth to the revolution is it the only one that can require a Constitutional change? That in that case the disease was bad enough to require such a change will not be disputed by any party: neither by peoples men nor by Whigs, nor even by Tories: for had it not been for such a change the Tories would not have been where they are.]
  • Title: [[1818 Nov\T rT\ 23. E 1 5]
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    ' 5. Advantage of this sort of talk to those who employ it -

    1. It gives no offence to those against whom it is aimed in appearance: to wit the Monarch and the Tories

    4. Another highly convenient property belongs to this rhetorical expedient: there is nothing in it that can give either alarm of offence even somuchas to the very part against whom the warfare such as it is, is directed. The Monarch to whose eyes in the character of a precedent the sham measure is held up, nothing can he see in it by which in his breast any the slightest emotion can be produced: a Precedent he sees, yes - but a Precedent than which nothing can be more satisfactorily inapplicable.

    To his Ministers be they who they may - to the whole body of the Tories it is no less perfectly inoffensive. Nothing against which that revolution afforded security is it any part of their wish to introduce: no popish Catholicism; no such despotism as should under their heads any thing less than safe upon their shoulders]
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    This same subject of indefatigable exultation in what character is it that it is this held up to view? Answer - In the character of a cure for all particular evil: and that cure so efficient as to forbid us ever to look out for any other.

    In this prohibition what is the theory that is implied and inculcated? It is this:-

    1. That the form which at the revolution the Government settled into neither then needed nor can eer need any improvement.

    2. That supposing on any occasion the necessity of a change, the person of the Monarch will be /is/ always , the form of the Government never, the proper subject of the change

    3. That therefore in case of any imputed Misrule in case of any discontent in consequence the language of the people must /should/ always be - change your Ministry or we will change /remove/ /cashier/ you. But let this necessary change have been effected then is every thing as it should be: for in no shape can misrule be apprehended from such honourable heads -]