date

1818. Nov r 14. Parl Reform Bill
1818. Nov r 14.

Parl Reform Bill

Reasons

'.2. Electors who

Universality

Kingship unjustifiable

2

1. Fundamental fiction /function[?]/. In the King is the perfection of appropriate aptitude for government: of appropriate aptitude in all its three branches.

1. In particular appropriate probity.

The conduct of the King like any other human being is determined by his interest, that is by the view which on each occasion he takes of that same interest.

But his interest is on every occasion the same with that of his people: therefore in so far as the view he takes of his own interest his correct his conduct will on every occasion be determined by the interest of the people, to[?] that which is in the highest degree conducive to the advancement of this same interest.

To this statement there are two objections

1. That the matter of fact asserted by it is notoriously untrue: that the reverse of it is what is true

2. That if it were the conclusion afforded by it, would be not in favour of the existing government in its existing state, but in favour of a compleat and undisguised despotism.
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  • Title: [1818. Nov 14 Parl Reform Bill]
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    Grounded on this view of human nature the system of Parliamentary Representation and of government included under it is grounded on a view of human nature as it is - on a foundation of incontestable truth.

    The foundation on which every vindication of the system of government as at present carried on /considered in its present state/ is grounded, is a foundation composed of fiction - that is of notorious falshood and this or that other[?] product of the imagination, this or that /one or other of two/ metaphor /figure/ or figure of speech, both of them inconsistent with that same fiction.

    The fiction as a supposed matter of fact, the assertion of which stands in direct contradiction[?] to the abovementioned incontestable truth: to wit on the part of the person whoever he be, who at the time in question whatever it be occupies the situation of Kings in the state of mind different from that of any other human being, and composed of appropriate aptitude in every element of it, and more particularly that of the appropriate probity, in which the aggregate of appropriate aptitude is altogether dependent in its two other branches.
  • Title: [[Copyist's hand] 1818 Nov. 14]
    Description: [Copyist's hand]

    1818 Nov. 14

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    '.2. Electors who

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    This notion or rather this discourse by which the perfection of appropriate probity is ascribed to the Monarch in what did it take its rise? In the truth of the notion? No: but in the necessity of the times. When under the misrule exercised by the Stuarts, the patience of the people began to give way, and opposition began to manifest itself, something for the purpose of engaging one another to join in it was necessary to be said. The King's interest being in the main opposite to that of his people, the direction /course/ taken by his conduct was of course /accordingly/ opposite to that same interest. Such was the plain truth: but unfortunately it was of the number of those many truths which could not be spoken. So perseveringly and unanimously from the very first dawn of literature had the priests and Lawyers all of them associates in the Monarch's sinister interest - so perseveringly had these exclusive possessors of the press and of the power of education been drenching the people with this gross and pernicious falshood, the people, generally speaking, spite of all experience, could do no otherwise than receive it and act upon it as if it were truth.

    Of this supposed perfection in the monarch what then on the part of the people should have been the consequence? Obedience in both its forms active and passive, and in both of them unlimited: the understanding having thus been laid prostrate, prostration of the will followed as of course.
  • Title: [[Copyist's hand] 1818. Nov r. 14.]
    Description: [Copyist's hand]

    1818. Nov r. 14.

    Parl Reform Bill

    Reasons

    '.2. Electors who

    Universality

    Kingship unjustifiable

    2

    Meantime oppression encreased beyond all power of endurance. Opposition began to form itself and a mode of Speech became necessary to help on and justify it. The King's affections and intentions were still divine: to question their being so would have been libellous: and being so, would to the questionner have been ruinous. To compleat the equality of this King of Men with the King of Kings one attribute however was found to be wanting to wit the incapacity of being deceived. Upon search made into ancient records a discovery was even made of instances in which he had actually been deceived: so incontestably deceived that with his own consent and concurrence certain Ministers & Counsellors of his as and for the having deceived him, had been punished.

    Under favour and in pursuance of this discovery this or that distinction as occasion came to require were taken. The King's will or mandate was always to be obeyed except when it was by evil counsellors that it had been produced and then it was to be disobeyed: for, when it was contrary to law or what was the same thing to the interest of the people the King's mandate was not the King's mandate but the Mandate of those evil Counsellors. The King's authority was never to be resisted: for it was the King's authority. But, so it were upon great occasions, and upon inevitble necessity by authority of Parliament the King's person might be resisted: for, on such occasions it was only by resistance offered to his sacred person that his sacred authority could be preserved.

    Here may be seen the general complexion of these shifts. To the number and variety of the phrases in which they are clothed there would be no end.