1819 Jan. 3

Parl. Reform Bill

Dialogue

Preliminary View

Evils & Remedies

Remedies

Miselection

Electors

17

12

Reformist. Well – you have now I must confess placed /planted/ your objection at

once upon the plainest and broadest ground. But the more narrowly /closely/ you

examine into it, the more thoroughly, if I am not over sanguine, you will be

convinced of its being one[?] ante[?]

Anti-Reformist. Let us see.

Reformist. Very well. But the assertion being yours and that assertion a positive

/an affirmative/ one, it lies upon you to prove it: not upon me to prove the

negative.

Anti-Reformist. It seems to me that I have sufficiently proved it already. It is of

every man the wish /desire/ to possess himself of the good things of this world and

in particular of property in the largest quantity possible. This you yourself

acknowledge. Of every man and therefore of the majority: and by the supposition they

have the power: be the effect in question what it may where the desire and power to

produce it unite in the same hands, the effect follows of course.

Reformist. Bravo! Quite logical all this I must confess. Forgive me. I wish I could

always find you so. Taken singly your words /the words of these propositions of

yours/ are as clear as they are familiar: but when thus put together and thus

applied, you will not find them so. Well: since you have thus instructed yourself,

and since you will have it so, it shall be my endeavour /part/ to force you in your

entrenchment