1819 Aug. 21

Disfranchisement

Apology for the Borough-mongers, or Defence of Reform ag st. Ed gh. Review

1

In an indirect way the word corruption as applied to Parliamentary Election, will upon reflection be found to have been productive of mischief in a shape which could not in the first instance have been anticipated. By this word the censure cast on the abuse has been placed on a ground that covers but a part of it: but a part of it and that the least noxious part: that which is by far the most noxious namely terrorism not being comprized in it.

From this scantiness has resulted the inference, that where there is no corruption, there is no abuse

Several causes may be assigned why this scantiness /deficiency/ has had place has taken place and been continued.

It is only when it excels in this shape, that the evil has been such as to admitt of the metaphor /figure/ in question for the expression of it. The figure is of the number of those by which digust is naturally excited: the idea of animal[?] food, or something else which by putridity is converted from an object of desire into an object of loathing and disgust stands associated with it.

The dislike to Election imposture in this form is thus placed upon the footing of taste: it is stated as an object of natural disgust: which being admitted, the epithet disgusting, because one of the favourites of the day, can not but be acknowledged to be applicable to it With all men of bad morals, taste is a favourite basis or standard for morality, for approbation or disapprobation on a question belonging to the field of morals that of politics included. Why? Because it places the standard of right and wrong compleatly in their power, warranting them in giving /applying/ the appellation of right to whatsoever suits their momentary humour or interests; that of wrong to whatsoever happens to thwart it.

[marginal insertion:] {With all the participators in and supporters of arbitrary power – with all literary coxcombs /shallow literators/ who have learnt /acquired/ or think they have acquired the art of playing of the current phrenology[?] of the subject with advantage, without any clear insight into principles.}