[1818 Nov\T rT\. 23. D

4

Whigs and Revolution

1

4. They no superior[?]

' 4. Supposing it repeated, the advantage would be all to the Whigs none to the people.

A revolution such as that in 1688 being a sort of event the recurrence of which is not only in itself but in the eyes of those who thus laud it impossible the manner in which supposing it to recurr it would affect their Interest is a consideration it may be said which neither in itself nor in their eyes can have any great claim to regard. But the consequences that belong to a political change are not are all times correctly and compleatly present to every eye: when a change of this sort is spoken of imagination never fails to clothe it in a sort of apparent reality: and if in the nature of it, supposing it real there were any thing very plainly opposite to their Interests the idea of this oppositeness would scarcely fail to damp more or less the fervor[?] of their applause.

In a Revolution similar to that in question what then can a man in their situation see that would be adverse to his political interest. Answer - just nothing. In the possession of their share in the Government in possession of their seats - the revolution found them: and in possession of that same share it left them.

For the great body of the people what was it that in the form which they give to that change they obtained? What can not be said is that they obtained absolutely nothing: but what may be said - and truly said - is - that they obtained nothing from the people but that sort and degree of security which they could not avoid obtaining but on condition of not obtain[?] it for themselves.]