[129b-510]

2[?] April 1817

2 o

Introd

§ Interests adverse

Look to interests

25

8

6

Omitt in praesente?

But /Meantime/ whatsoever in the breast of a real friend of the people may be opinion /sentiments/ entertained respecting the quantum of public spirit having place in the breasts of the political party in question – in what degree so ever /in that opinion/ it may happen to that quantum to present itself as minute and unfit to be depended upon presenting no assured basis of dependence, by no such estimate should he ever be prevented from the endeavour to turn to the account of the universal interest whatsoever dispositions afford in that quarter a /any sort of/ promise of leading to measures such as shall on any occasion be conducive to that effect to the advancement of that sacred interest. The only essential object is – that good be done: for all places and all times and all occasions suppose the quantity of good done to be a given quantity by what means through what motives good bad or indifferent it were done would be a matter of indifference.

By an occasional junction between two parties the most opposed to each other, many a good measure has been carried, many a bad one prevented or retarded. In former days when the reins of power have been in the hands of the Whigs, many a corrupt job /measure/ of theirs has with more or less effect found itself opposed by a junction quoad hoc between Republicans and Tories: by a concert, probably no: for to co operation to operation towards the same end, concert howsoever subservient, is never, in so far as depends upon men voting, necessary.