date

1818 Nov r 12 Parl. Reform Bill
1818 Nov r 12

Parl. Reform Bill

Reasons

'1.2. Electors Who

2

But in this country men can not endure the idea of any such thing /any such idea/: and if it /the Man/ be possible in after the force of sinister influence has expended itself there should ever be left among those whose situation was less [...?] of their taking part in political affairs a /an efficient/ Majority at once able and disposed and enabled to put the business of government /state/ upon such a footing as shall render the state and conduct of it subservient to the universal interest, generations say who can how many may have to pass away ere any such beneficient /salutary/ change shall have been accomplished. In America the Commonwealth already formed must have in /during/ all that time have been giving the example of the only good form of government, and if that [...?] which can not by any other means be allowed /enjoyed/ this must have been seen, others in the same quarter of the Globe must have been added to them. Perhaps even france must have been added to them, and thus for who can say what length of time have covered with shame the [...?] [...?] /so clearly/ Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
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    At every succeeding Step, the absurdity of the supposition becomes more and more palpable. The body of the Representatives and in that body a constant majority being now the Instrument by which the mischief is to be effected, some one plan, well or ill adopted, there must be, in the support of which the whole of the majority have been prepared to agree. But ere it can have this received Support, this plan must have come into existence: and to have come into existence in writing and even in print. Being thus in print, it must ere it can have passed thro' the thus singularly disposed House of Commons have surmounted all objections. But by what means? By what sort of Instrument is it that the preponderance thus supposed is to have been gained? Is it not by reason and argument? By reason bringing to view the State of Interest and shewing in how many various[?] aways[?] they will be effected by the change.
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    Perhaps a introduction[?] taking a [...?] and[?], as in the mean time a palliative[?].

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