1819 Apr. 19

To Erskine 3

3 Matchless Constitution

No Theory

Lord Milton

"I reverence the democracy". Oh yes, the democracy he thus tramples upon, and forces to elect him or be ruined. "I reverence the King". Oh yes, in shew and demonstration, every man to /by/ whom the name and power of King is possessed: to every such man whatsoever be his conduct equal reverence. As his Lordship does so do all other Lordships and all other Honourables /Right Honourables/, and after them the corruptest and silly part of the people, and that it is that makes Kings so selfish and so silly as they are, because be they ever so much so /and govern ever so badly/ they are regarded with equal reverence. And /whereas/ Behold there are differences between them and a President for example of the United States. If during the few[?] years for which he serves uses or is thought to use his power badly or less well than what another would have done in his place he loses his place he is President no longer: and that is the reason why while we have /Europe has/ such mischievous and such idiot Kings America has no mischievous or idiot Presidents. Idiot? no nor any but those who are the very ablest men and [...?] the State affords is at east are amongst the ablest and honestest and in the eyes of the greatest number of those whose affairs they manage are the very ablest.

His Lordship reverence the King? So much the worse. His Lordship reverence the Democracy? as the rider reverences the jaded beast he rides on. King. Democracy - No: let him look in the glass, [...?] his Lordship may see the man whom his Lordship reverences the Lordship? yes and in many others /[...?]des/ as can not help it.

Now what is Yorkshire the better for being so represented? Yorkshire a County the population of which equals that of the whole of his Majestys German kingdom. Were I a Yorkshire man, how much rather would I not be represented at all than so represented. I should at any rate escape being so insulted.

Mistake me not my Lord. By honest speaking of these Presidents I do not mean that if they had the power that Kings have they would not deal by those their fellow Citizens as Kings do by their subjects. But they have no such power: and therefore knowing it would be no purpose, they neither attempt ever to treat their fellow-citizens in any such manner, or so much as think of it