[xxxvi. 102]

1822 June 28

Constitut. Code Rationale

Supreme Operative

I Monarch absolute

1. Morals

Question. Why not give to the State-Chief, possessor of the Supreme Executive power under the Supreme Legislative the Supreme Legislative power, thus placing the whole Operative power of the Country in that one hand.

Answer Because in that case the inaptitude opposite to appropriate aptitude in all its several branches would be /is/ at its maximum.

1. The inaptitude opposite to appropriate Moral aptitude is in this case /state of thing/ at its maximum. In consequence /pursuance/ of the self preference inherent in human nature, the end of his government will be the greatest possible happiness of his individual self. This object according to whatever happens to be his notions of it he will pursue without regard to the happiness of the greatest number, at the expence of that happiness, and to the sacrifice of that happiness. His sinister interest having no right and proper interest to serve as a check to it, the force of his power having no counterforce to check it and keep the action of it in a state of conformity to the public interest, his desire to make on all occasions the sinister sacrifice, will have nothing to /find no power in a condition to/ oppose it, will on every occasion find ample means for the gratification of it and the sacrifice will at all times under his government be consummated.

He will accumulate under his own grasp all the external instruments of felicity, all the objects of general desire in the greatest quantity possible: all at the expence of and by the sacrifice of the felicity of the other members of the community

All around him being below him, dependent every one /all/ of them on his pleasure for whatsoever portion of felicity they are suffered to enjoy, he find in none of them any desire to oppose his will in any of the above particulars, in all of them the disposition and the endeavours to give accomplishment to it.

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