1821 April 8th

First Lines

Constitutional Law

(1) Means

In the case of a representative Democracy, the means and the only

means by which, this form of government may

be rendered — the means & the only means by which this form

of Government conducive in the highest degree to the only

legitimate end of Government — the greatest happiness of the

greatest number, — are no less obvious & natural than

they are simple: — order matters so, that the person by whom,

the immediately — acting powers of Government are

exercised, shall at stated times & at short intervals be removable all

of them without exception, by the persons possessed of the original and

originative powers of Government: trustees by princip

als; ruling few, by subject many. I say subject many; for, by

the exercise of the receipt or power of election with reference to those by

whom the powers of Government are exercised, subjection is not excluded

— No, nor under this form of Government by the exercise or

profession or exercise even of those powers themselves.

Misrule is the thing to be as far as may be excluded. By the very nature of

man, misrule as far as any balance on the side of advantage to the Ruler is

expected by him is necessitated: by the assurance of eventual removal

— by this & not without this, that expectation may be

excluded.

In election at stated times the effect of the power of

appointment & that of the power of removal is included. If having

at the time immediately preceding the day of election, occupied the

situation in question, a man is re-elected, the power of appointment is

exercised in his favour, the power of removal with relation to him is

forborne to be exercised: if he be not re-elected the power of removal with

reference to him is exercised, the power of appointment with relation to

him is forborne to be exercised.