JB/137/095/001

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1819 Dec. 21
Radicalism not dangerous

1. Accusation &c
§ 2. Speech July & Nov 1819

It thus became necessary to add to the mere particular counteraverment Here then is a sort of counter—altogether a counteraverment:
a more general one

14 or 4
To this counter averment
no correspondant
original averment
except subversion of
the Constitution: what
if it amounts to a
charge, amounts to
a charge of preponderant
evil. For
as to more evil
all coercion is evil.

But a counter-averment implies a correspondent an original averment, to which it stands is opposed. The original
averment then where, in this case, shall we find it?
Answer. If anywhere, it must be in the above quoted words,
"aiming at the subversion of the Constitution."

Now this subversion, either it means nothing at all
or what it means amounts to this, namely a preponderant
mass of evil: a mass of evil presenting a net amount
over and above whatsoever good in any shape will
have been produced by the same cause. Yes preponderant
evil: for as to the being simply productive of evil, that can
not be matter of charge against any political measure
whatsoever. Taken by itself, coercion in any shape
whether supply by whatsoever kind applied, whether
any private kind, or the kind of government itself is evil. Government
the most perfect that imagination itself
could frame would still be but a choice of evils.

15 or 5
Of the preponderating
evil no shape given
by the charge. Yet
this the sole ground
of those measures
by which more disaffection
will have
been produced—those
by the writing thus endeavoured
to be repressed

If then the effect of the imputed plan design, supposing it
carried into effect were any thing less than the production
of evil and to a preponderant amount of preponderant evil, it would not constitute the matter of
a charge. But this supposed preponderant evil, in what determinate
shape are we to look for it? To this question the
charge has not vouchsafed furnished any an answer. Yet in this [+] it being less indeterminate
—
charge and the other (but about property) against which [+] a determinate
answer will be given may be seen the site
ground of these disastrous laws by which disaffection has has been more abundantly
propagated then
by any of the writings which employed to repress.

Identifier: | JB/137/095/001 "JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 137.
Date_1	1819-12-21	Marginal Summary Numbering	14 or 4 - 15 or 5
Box	137	Main Headings	radicalism not dangerous
Folio number	095	Info in main headings field	radicalism not dangerous
Image	001	Titles
Category	text sheet	Number of Pages	1
Recto/Verso	recto	Page Numbering	c2 / e5
Penner	jeremy bentham	Watermarks
Marginals	jeremy bentham	Paper Producer
Corrections		Paper Produced in Year
Notes public		ID Number	46812
Box Contents

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