1821. April 27.

First Lines

Constitutional

The constitutional branch of law has, for its proper end, the greatest happiness of the greatest number. The propriety of this end will not easily be disputed. Under a Representative Democracy, the Constitutional branch of law has, for its actual end, that same exclusively proper end - the greatest happiness of the greatest number.

Accordingly, so far as it exists in the utmost degree of perfection in which it is capable of existing /the nature of the case admitts of./, the right of indicating, by the respective suffrages among what individuals the supreme operative power shall be shared is exercised by all: the concurrence of all in the effective designation of the individual by whom the share in question in the operative power shall be possessed, not being possible, were the wishes of one part of those by whom the suffrages are given point to one person while the wishes of another part point to another, the next most desirable result, with reference to the greatest happiness of the greatest number is that instead of being exercised by the whole number, the power shall be exercised by the greater part of it: such being the most desirable result, such accordingly is the actual result.