ABSTRACT
The bulk of mankind are neither deep politicians, nor abstruse reasoners. They judge of forms of governments by their effects, and estimate their own rights by instinctve feelings; from these simple and, I will say, wise principles, have you been impelled to question the goodness of the present constitution of the House of Commons, and to endeavour to amend it. – No power on earth can do this, but the people. The artificial force of government will always contend for present establishments, and is superior to every thing, but the natural strength of the community. True / and acknowledged as this is, many deny your right of interference, and oppose the cavils of law and delusions of sophistry, to the conclusions of experience and the dictates of nature. I do not fear you will be easily dissuaded from a pursuit, not more splendid in its success, than it will be calamitous in its failure. Tho’ destitute of that constitutional controul over your governours, without which no nation can be securely happy. You have hitherto restrained the insolence of despotism, by the known spirit and generosity of your nature. – You will not by supinness on the present occasion, forfeit even that security, for the future. – I do not think you will, or that my endeavours are necessary to give you ardor or perseverance. – It may however be satisfactory to you to find, that what you have done perhaps principally from the instinct of nature, can be defended by the most rigid reasoning; and that the plainest understanding can demonstrate the propriety of your proceedings.
