1819 May 21

Defence of Ballot

Tumult eulogized

16

2. No tumult, no zeal.

3. Tumult should be – not extinguished but countervaild.

Observations. Here we the course taken by the argument, in pursuance of the design and plan already indicated, namely the design of planting and cultivating in the minds of the lovers of peace and gentleness an antipathy to the cause of reform and to that democratic ascendancy to which the mouth-honour prescribed by policy has just been seen bestowed, by causing them to suppose that tumult universal and habitual tumult is not only /merely/ subservient but necessary to it.

Now then as far as extends, how stands the fact? In that country where not only democratic ascendancy clogged by Aristocracy under a Monarchy, not only /merely/ democratic ascendancy /has place/ but pure democracy has place /is enthroned/, tumult is almost /comparatively/ unknown. Why almost unknown? Is it that the temper of the people has more of gentleness than here? Is it that social affection is there in the greater proportion to self regarding affection, and that dissocial affection that springs out of it? Is it that taken in the whole the public mind is there in a higher culture than here? Alas! the body of evidence which of late has been poured[?] upon the table of the public with such instructive profusion has given the contrary result: that result which is[?] due reflection on the nature of man in general, and of the circumstances in which in that particular situation in question, might have anticipated.