1818 Sept. 2.

Parl. Reform Bill

Reasons ult o

'.2. Electors Who

Universality

2. Intellect 1. Comparative

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Answer. The inaptitude thus imputed to them in the shape in question will require to be considered in the first place in a comparative point of view, in the next {place} in an absolute point of view

1. {Consider it} in a comparative point of view. From The degree of inaptitude, be it what it may, will form /afford/ no practical objection to the lodging the power in question in the hands in question, any further than it is clear that there are other hands such that by lodging in them that same power a greater degree of appropriate aptitude in both points taken together, to wit appropriate probity and appropriate intellectual aptitude promises to be obtained there by lodging in these.

But of this supposition the contrary will be /is/ found to be true. To the advancement of the universal interest, intellectual aptitude on the part of the persons in question be they who they may, can not be subservient any further than their desire and endeavour is to contribute to that effect, in a word /in other words/ any further than it has for its accompaniment appropriate moral aptitude, appropriate probity, in the same breast. In so far as their desire and endeavour is, at the expence and at the sacrifice of this universal interest to advance each man his own personal interest, or collectively an interest common to them all, and adverse to as well as less extensive than, the universal interest, the more consummate /strong extensive and efficient/ their intellectual power, so far from serving /promoting/ they will disserve and injure the universal interest: they will render the sacrifice of it to their own narrower and sinister interest more easy more extensive, more effectual.

But reason and experience concurr as above in shewing, that neither in Monarchy nor in aristocracy is any such appropriate probity in any tolerably adequate degree to be found: on the contrary, both will concurr in shewing that it is in a representative Commonwealth the degree of it can not but go on encreasing in proportion to the approach made by the system of representation to that of universal suffrage.