1818 Dec. 21

Parl Reform Bill

Dialogue II

Election Evils

{20}

1

Inserendumne?[?]

Dialogue 2 o. {Evils and remedies} – Evils /What evils there are/

to be guarded against: {what remedies are for that purpose proposed to be provided

Anti-Reformist. Well, so it is – I am in[?] computation[?] of interest. I am in[?]

disposition[?] to make and to persevere in making the sinister sacrifice, and as to

the time of so doing /making it/, that by the supposition is out of the question, it

is unfortunately implied in the appellation of ratios. Here

then is so much evil. But your own scheme this remedial[?] scheme of yours, think you

that no evil is to be found in it?

Reformist. The question you put is for form sake No such absurdity I am sure do you

mean to impute to me. […?] Government is but a choice of evils. - Taking evil in a

certain sense life itself – the very happiest life is but a choice of evils. Taken by

itself, government is in every shape an […?] evil: government in my own proposed form

of course as well as in any /every/ other.

Anti-Reformist. You take me right. Accordingly with very little expence of thought,

I could present you with evils in plenty to none of which you could yourself imagine

your scheme of reform to be unexposed. But since this matter has been so well

/thoroughly/ considered by you, the shortest way would be for you to give in[?] to

produce your own list of these evils, with the remedies by which you regard yourself

as having in a manner more or less effectual made provision against them. It would

/will/ then be to be all along upon the watch for the purpose of satisfying myself in

the first place whether your list of evils be a compleat one; in the next place how

far your remedies afford a promise of being sufficient.
Similar Items
  • Title: [1818 Dec r 31 Parl Reform Bill]
    Description: 1818 Dec r 31

    Parl Reform Bill

    Dialogue III

    {Preliminary View}

    Evils & Remedies

    Remedies

    1 Miselection

    1. Members

    7

    2

    Anti-Reformist. Come then now for your remedy or remedies against Miselection. No

    small quantity of work for you: how[?] even were that one head /evil/ the only one.

    Reformist. Too true. Under the head of Miselection, have the goodness to remember, I

    understand, the election of any person {for representation} who either absolutely or

    comparatively /in comparison of any other that might have been add/ is deficient in

    any degree /particular/ in the article /respect/ of appropriate aptitude.

    Anti reformist. Then, in your account, the election of an Angel would be

    miselection, supposing that by a different arrangement an Archangel might have been

    had.

    Reformist. Exactly so: {and the /in/ /by/ considering /placing/ the matter in[?] in

    this simple point of view some trouble will /may/ be saved – and I am much mistaken

    in you if it appears to you an incorrect one.}

    [marginal note:] Inserendumne?

    Anti Reformist. Well – this Archangel of yours, what course do you take for catching

    him?

    Reformist. A very simple one. For my Representatives, I take the greatest possible

    number of persons to choose out /make choice/ of: for my Electors, the greatest

    possible number of persons to concurr in making the choice.

    {Anti Reformist. If either of these expedients /contrivances/ for catching your

    Archangel can be made to hold water, the trouble you will have with that by which you

    multiple persons eligible will be childs play in comparison of that which you will

    have in thus multiplying your Electors.

    Reformist. I acknowledge it. But it follows not that because in this case it will

    take more words to make out the proof, it will be the less satisfactory when

    made.}
  • Title: [1819 Jan. 3 Parl. Reform Bill]
    Description: 1819 Jan. 3

    Parl. Reform Bill

    Dialogue

    Preliminary View

    Evils & Remedies

    Remedies

    Miselection

    Electors

    17

    12

    Reformist. Well – you have now I must confess placed /planted/ your objection at

    once upon the plainest and broadest ground. But the more narrowly /closely/ you

    examine into it, the more thoroughly, if I am not over sanguine, you will be

    convinced of its being one[?] ante[?]

    Anti-Reformist. Let us see.

    Reformist. Very well. But the assertion being yours and that assertion a positive

    /an affirmative/ one, it lies upon you to prove it: not upon me to prove the

    negative.

    Anti-Reformist. It seems to me that I have sufficiently proved it already. It is of

    every man the wish /desire/ to possess himself of the good things of this world and

    in particular of property in the largest quantity possible. This you yourself

    acknowledge. Of every man and therefore of the majority: and by the supposition they

    have the power: be the effect in question what it may where the desire and power to

    produce it unite in the same hands, the effect follows of course.

    Reformist. Bravo! Quite logical all this I must confess. Forgive me. I wish I could

    always find you so. Taken singly your words /the words of these propositions of

    yours/ are as clear as they are familiar: but when thus put together and thus

    applied, you will not find them so. Well: since you have thus instructed yourself,

    and since you will have it so, it shall be my endeavour /part/ to force you in your

    entrenchment
  • Title: [1818 Dec. 24 Parl. Reform Bill.]
    Description: 1818 Dec. 24

    Parl. Reform Bill.

    Dialogue

    Preliminary View

    Evils & Remedies

    1 Evils

    33

    14

    Reformist continued. You will see how simple my Vote making Certificate is. No work

    {whatever} left for the lawyers. /long-robed enemies of mankind./ Call it visionary,

    you may be accordingly quite sure of their joining you in full chorus.

    Anti-Reformist. After all this it appears that your characteristic your appropriate,

    your principal evils – are but evils purely in tendency.

    Reformist. Nothing more.

    Anti-Reformist. But what a subversion of logical order and consistency is this into

    which you have betrayed yourself

    Reformist. I beg your pardon. When in the account of felicity and simplicity, the

    elements of values are considered, that of extent must not be neglected. By a certain

    degree of extent, the utmost[?] […?]lness in the article of magnitude seems to be

    more than compensated. This is the case with the whole class of those offences

    /misdeeds/ by which the public at large in its public /aggregate/ capacity is

    affected, and not any assignable individuals.