1819 Oct. 10 +

Parl. Reform Bill.

Reasons

§.5

§.8

Art Secresy

II. Oppression or Conclusion

1

But a man ought (it has been said) every man ought to vote according to his conscience: he ought to do so, regardless of all the consequences to himself.

An observation this such as a man might be ashamed to report, but for the conclusion that has been drawn from it: drawn from it in the character of an argument against secresy of suffrage.

A man ought to do so: ergo he will do so: – such is the logic of this argument, if it be any thing to the purpose. Oh if this be good logic, let it not rest here: refuse not, to any part of the habitable globe, the benefit of it. If this be indeed good logic already you are in the golden age. Good as it be, when applied to Kings, you have no need of Parliaments. Good let it be when applied to subjects, you have no need of Kings . Of Kings? no, nor yet of laws. Yet this is the logic, on which in this country of pretended freedom in which what there is of security is the result not so much of the strength of government as of its weakness, all laws, and all other acts of government, ground themselves.

We ought always to do what is right: therefore we always do so: it is your duty to believe it.

We, we – but there the logic stops: it does not go on and say you: for then – no need would there be of we.

Britons when you give your votes, let conscience, conscience alone be your guide. On this occasion, as on all others, the last person any man should care for is himself. – What can be more admirably sentimental? Here we have self sacrifice: that most glorious of sacrifices, which, under the name of devoument Frenchmen of the prevailing sect are at all times so ready if not to practice, at any rate to preach and talk of. In England, a theatre is the only proper place for it: cheeks duly swollen, arms moving in mood and figure, and the stage traversed with a corresponding street.