1822 Nov 26

Tripoli. Securities against Misrule

5o

Preliminary Explanations

?.2. Remedy, Publicity

Public Opinion Tribunal

Thus much as to the disease; now as to the remedy: of the two only possible remedies which the nature of the case /disease/ admitts of, the only one that belongs to the present purpose. For conveying a general idea of this remedy, a single word publicity may in some sort /for the moment/ serve: but before the nature and operation of it can be conceived with any tolerable degree of distinctness and clearness, considerable explanation will unavoidably be necessary.

Publicity? - but to what acts applied? Answer. In the first place to the acts of rulers; in the next place to the opinions formed in relation to them by subjects: publicity of /to/ the acts, knowledge of the acts being necessary to the existence of the opinions

The existence of such publicity being supposed, and the degree of it perfect, in what way does it contribute to the object /effect/ in question, namely the affording security against misrule? Answer Be the government /acts of the governors/ ever so arbitrary, the subject many /subjects/ in proportion as they conceive /form/ and make public their respective opinions in relation to them, act in so far in the character of Judges: of Judges sitting in judgment over the conduct, and in this way /thus far/ exercising rule over the rulers themselves.

Exercising in any way rule over their rulers how then is it that they can remain subjects? Answer. In the way of direct mandate and irresistible /coercive/ power, no: in no such way can they give direction to the conduct of these same rulers. Not so in the way of indirect and gentle power, or in one word influence: for in this same way do even children, at an age in which nature places them under the absolute dominion of their parents, operate on and give direction to the conduct of those same parents. But the particular way in which the effect is brought about, may call /will call presently/ for further explanation.