[clx. 281]

1822 July 20

Constitut. Code Rationale

Securities

6 Factitious honor excluded

?. Evils

Evil 12 Evil by the spectacle of injustice.

It has been seen in how many points of view the disposition thus made of the matter of good in this shape presents to view the picture of injustice 1. Burthen without compensation imposed on the members of the community at large. 2 Burthen imposed in a more particular manner on the renderers of meritorious service to whom benefit in this same shape is justly due. 3 Burthen by injustice to Age Addition made without necessity or use to the influence and effect of those several causes of inequality /by useless and avoidable addition to unavoidable inequalities/ without which government and its benefits could not have place. The sense /example/ of injustice through produced by the joint influence of all these causes, is in itself a thing distinct from all of them. It presents to view the ruling few of the community in the character of /as/ the authors of injustice. Bad is that government where injustice having place /reigning/ discontent is produced by it /has place in consequence/: still worse that place, injustice reigning, no discontent is raised /excited/ by it.

By the spectacle of established injustice in any one shape injustice in every other shape is promoted. By habit those at whose expence it is committed are lulled into acquiescence under it: on the other hand by the spectacle of this acquiescence, the authors of the baleful habit are encouraged to persevere in it.