JB/109/068/001

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1819 May. 19

Parl Reform or Disfranchising

Edinburgh Review
Ballot
10
By ambition the
leaders though petty
tradesman would
betray themselves

The zeal, attachment and enthusiasm, which must prevail in such
elections, as long as they continue really popular, would probably bring
all recurrence to means of secrecy into discredit, and very speedily
into general disuse. Even the smaller tradesmen, to whom ballot
might seem desirable, as a shield from the displeasure or their opulent
customers, would betray the part they took in the Election, by their
ambition to be leaders in their parishes. The formality of a ballot
might remain: But the object of secrecy is compatible with the
nature of such elections.

11
Objective II. Instead
of extending, secrecy
would narrow the exercise
of the elective franchise.
Motives for exercising
it tolled are taken away.

The second objection is, that if secrecy of suffrage could
be really adopted, it would, in practice, contract, instead of extending
the elective franchise, by abating, if not extinguishing, the strongest
inducements to its exercise. All wise laws contain in themselves
effectual means for their own execution; but, where votes are secret,
scarcely any motive for voting is left to the majority of Electors.
In a blind eagerness to free the franchise from ignorance
influence, nearly all the Common motives for its exercise are taken
away. The common Elector is neither to gain the favour of his
superior, nor the the kindness of his fellows, nor the gratitude of the
Candidate for whom he votes. From all these, secrecy must exclude
him. He is forbidden to strengthen his conviction, to kindle his zeal,
to conquer his fears or selfishness, in numerous meetings of those
with whom he agrees; for, if he attends such meetings, he must publish
his suffrage — and the ballot, in his case, becomes altogether
illusory. Every blameable motive of interest, every pardonable inducement
of personal partiality, are, indeed, taken away. But what 12
Sons of Duty insufficient
Inform shapes would
disfranchise themselves.
Fervour flourishes and
in solitude.
is left in their places. Nothing but a mere sense of public duty,
unaided by the popular discipline which gives fervour and vigour
to public sentiments. A wise lawgiver does not twist to a general
sense of duty in the most unimportant law. If such a principle
could be twisted, laws would be unnecessary. Yet to this cold feeling,
stripped of all its natural and most powerful aids, would the system
of secret suffrage alone twist for its execution. At the polls it
is said to be sufficient, because all temptations to do ill are supposed
to be taken away. But the motives by which the Electors are
induced to go to a Poll, have been totally overlooked. The inferior Negative
classes, for whom this whole system is contrived, would, in its
practice be speedily disfranchised. They would soon delinquish
a privilege when it was reduced to a troublesome duty. Their public principles are
often generous; but they do no arise from secret meditation, and they do not flourish in solitude.

Identifier: | JB/109/068/001"JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 109.
Date_1	1819-05-19	Marginal Summary Numbering	10-Dec
Box	109	Main Headings	Parliamentary Reform
Folio number	068	Info in main headings field	Parl. Reform or Disfranchising
Image	001	Titles
Category	Copy/fair copy sheet	Number of Pages	1
Recto/Verso	recto	Page Numbering	C3 / E3
Penner		Watermarks	[[watermarks::I&M [Prince of Wales feathers] 1818]]
Marginals	Jeremy Bentham	Paper Producer	Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington
Corrections	Jeremy Bentham	Paper Produced in Year	1818
Notes public		ID Number	35723
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