[Copyist's hand]

1818 Nov. 14

Parl. Reform Bill

Reasons

'.2. Electors who

Universality

Kingship unjustifiable

1

This notion or rather this discourse by which the perfection of appropriate probity is ascribed to the Monarch in what did it take its rise? In the truth of the notion? No: but in the necessity of the times. When under the misrule exercised by the Stuarts, the patience of the people began to give way, and opposition began to manifest itself, something for the purpose of engaging one another to join in it was necessary to be said. The King's interest being in the main opposite to that of his people, the direction /course/ taken by his conduct was of course /accordingly/ opposite to that same interest. Such was the plain truth: but unfortunately it was of the number of those many truths which could not be spoken. So perseveringly and unanimously from the very first dawn of literature had the priests and Lawyers all of them associates in the Monarch's sinister interest - so perseveringly had these exclusive possessors of the press and of the power of education been drenching the people with this gross and pernicious falshood, the people, generally speaking, spite of all experience, could do no otherwise than receive it and act upon it as if it were truth.

Of this supposed perfection in the monarch what then on the part of the people should have been the consequence? Obedience in both its forms active and passive, and in both of them unlimited: the understanding having thus been laid prostrate, prostration of the will followed as of course.