29 Oct 1809

Parl y Reform

Part II. Influence

Ch.1. Explanations

'.5 Matter of Corruption

Causes of its efficiency

8

The truth is that on these points the force of public opinion - of the moral or popular sanction - is divided against itself: and under favour of this [...?] it is that a Member of Parliament who without regard to his public duty means on each occasion to pursue that course which presents itself to him as most conducive to his personal interest finds himself much at his ease: being sure of finding more or less support and countenance which so ever course he takes.

In the first place suppose his situation that of a place for life. If it happens to suit him to vote or to speak or to vote against the side espoused by his patron, his paramount regard is thus for the interests of the country in general, and all narrow considerations ought in his view of the matter to give way to this broad and public one. If the side which it suits him to espouse be that which is espoused by his /the/ patron, so high /exalted/ is his opinion of the wishes intellectual as well as moral of his patron, and such the sentiment of veneration as well as gratitude towards this patron with which he is inspired /impressed/, that he beholds in the opinion of his patron the surest guide which /that/ his own can have.

Then there is a conflict between a sense of public duty on the one hand, and a sense of private gratitude on the other. Which of these two contending forms which shall gain the ascendant and prevail? The answer /result/ depends upon the permanence of the patron's power in the opinion of the incumbent. If the fall of the patron seems approaching, public spirit preponderates, and gratitude kicks the beam: if the patron appears /is thought/ to be firm in his seat, then gratitude preponderates, and public spirit kicks the beam.