[clxii. 72]

1820 May 13

Emancipation Spanish

'6. Rulers arguments

'. Virtues no security

But of virtue in this shape by the class of functionaries in question - or by any considerable proportion of individuals belonging to it what manifestation what exemplification has ever been given? I answer /The answer is/ - none whatever. To say this is not to utter reproach: it is not said that in any shape opposite to this virtue, vice has been exemplified. What is here said is simply a negative. No such virtue has been exemplified /manifested/. How should it have been? By no /any/ particular occasion /in any observed instance/ has the demand for it been created.

Money, power, reputation - by sacrifice made of the matter of good in any of these shapes to the universal interest would the virtue in question call it what you will disinterestedness - self sacrifice - sacrifice of personal to universal interest have been manifested.

As to what regards money nothing need here be said: neither on the one side nor on the other do any proofs /evidence/ present themselves. And so in regard to reputation: a sort of sacrifice just conceivable, and mentioned lest it should be suspected of being purposely omitted, but for which no demand is, in any ordinary state of things, likely to present itself.

But as to what regards power. In what instance in any shape has any valuable[?] sacrifice been ever manifested?

On the contrary the usual tokens of the disposition to afford to that universally insatiable appetite its appropriate gratifications have in every instance /on every occasion/ as far as circumstances permitted been manifested.