1819 May 24

Defence of | | Ballot

Caucussing 1 unavoidable

2. beneficial

7

In the Caucus itself, in each instance – in the Caucus itself if any where must be looked for the probability the moral possibility at any rate of seduction /corruption/ /breach of trust/ in either shape.

/It is/ Without seduction in either shape he has /it is/ laid in his stock of this same pure and only legitimate influence the influence of understanding on understanding: of the understanding of the better informed on the understanding of the less well-informed. But, of this influence pure as it is in itself and in respect of the mode in which it has been acquired, of this influence, if we /to/ speak of what is conceivable, any use known bad may be conceived to be made. In the situation here in question, the case of terrorism – terrorism exercised in a Caucus by one member over /on/ another and thence on the votes guided by his influence – is scarce /not/ worth speaking of: but the case of bribery – of a bribe direct or virtual, received of /from/ or on behalf of a Candidate by a member of the Caucus, is. The quantity of influence whatever it be that he possesses in relation to and on the judgment and thence the conduct of a certain portion of the body of the Electors he may bring to market, and sell it to the best bidder among the Candidates.

Without any difficulty the disposition thus supposed to be made of a mass of influence is conceivable. That to a certain extent on this or that occasion the supposition should be realized is not even out of the sphere /field/ of moral probability. But that it should ever have for its effect any considerable quantity of sensible evil, does not in the sort of Constitution in question present itself as having place in that sphere /within that field/.