[129b-527]

13 Feb. 1817 {Inserendum}

Plan Cat

2 o

Introd

§. Secrecy of suffrage

Ballots[?]

D. of Richmond

{8}

8

Superseded

but consultable

Men ought to do so and so: therefore they will do so and so: men – viz. not only here and there a pickt man but all men or at the least the major part of them. Men ought to do so and so: therefore /ergo/ so they will. That upon a mind such as the Duke of Richmonds – and as to the strength of it see /behold/ it in what he says on every other part – that upon a mind such as the Duke of Richmonds logic such as this should – though it were but for a moment pass for any thing more than it is worth.

Men ought to do what they ought to do, ergo so they will. Well but if the consequent of this syllogism is true, then in the first place reform in every shape and in that of the Duke of Richmonds plan in particular is needless.

Men ought to do what they ought to do ergo so they will. Well then among other applications of this pregnant proposition one is that be he who he may so will the Monarch: here then not only Parliamentary reform but Parliament itself is useless.

Of the Duke of Richmonds plan in addition to the two sound bases is this rotten one this maxim which can not be mentioned without shame viz that men in general will be ready to sacrifice upon the altar of the universal interest each man – and that to an indefinite extent his own individual interest; the most uncultivated mind as well as the most highly cultivated

Well here comes another maxim between which and that of the high-born veteran in office the reader will have to take his choice. Men in general can not reasonably be depended upon for sacrificing upon the altar of universal interest any the smallest particle of their respective individual interest. But order matters in such sort that in the breast the greater number individuals the regard for the universal interest shall find no individual or other narrower interest to oppose it, than in the breast of the majority, upon those terms conduct may with reason be expected to be determined by this social and salutary[?] regard.