JB/037/343/001

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1823. May 14. Constitut. Code. III Rationale
Ch. Legislature
Inaugural Declaration

This use of the engagement is of no light importance.
Self is but one: connexions are infinite. The danger
which the probity of a public man is exposed, is trifling in
comparison with the attacks it has to sustain from the
interests of all sorts which surround him. Amongst these,
local and professional interests are particularly dangerous:
individuals ones venture not beyond a whisper: the
others, by their clamour, counterfeit the public voice,
and clothe themselves impudently in the garb of virtue.
Strengthened by secret inclination, and entrenched behind
the rampart of an oath a solemn engagement, probity may bid defiance to all
its adversaries.

"This same principle of liberty under the semblance
of constraint, may be applied to the other branches of
public duty, not less to the relief of the individual than
to the advantage of the service.

"In the English Parliament, for example, what more common
than to do the Devil's work, not by choice, but by necessity;
and, in bitterness of heart, to serve at the expence
of the public the little tyrant whom you hate?(a)"

But against annoyance from this source,
protection can not be given to the feelings of the functionary
himself, without it's being afforded to the public interest:
afforded to the public interest, against the danger of misconduct
on his part, for want of the firmness necessary
to an effectual resistance to the seductive force.

"(a) Read Mr. Burke's letters and speeches to the Electors
of Bristol, and see all the powers of eloquence exhausted, and,
as the event seems to have shown, in vain, in defending a
public man against the imputation of preferring the real
interest of the British empire and of mankind to the imaginary
interests and real prejudices of a few leading men in that one
town. An oath, if penned with proper skill and attention,
which give parliamentary virtue it's perpetual quietus
from such distressing and degrading difficulties."

Identifier: | JB/037/343/001 "JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 37.
Date_1	1823-05-14	Marginal Summary Numbering	11-13
Box	037	Main Headings	constitutional code
Folio number	343	Info in main headings field	constitut. code
Image	001	Titles
Category	copy/fair copy sheet	Number of Pages	1
Recto/Verso	recto	Page Numbering	e4
Penner	john flowerdew colls	Watermarks	j whatman turkey mill 1822
Marginals	jeremy bentham	Paper Producer	jonathan blenman
Corrections	jeremy bentham	Paper Produced in Year	1822
Notes public		ID Number	11558
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