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Britisli Constitution. 857
The representatives are so intermixed with the constituents,
and the constituents Wilh the rest of the people,
that they cannot, without a partiality too flagrallt
to be endurel!, impose anv burthen upon the
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subject, in which they do not share themselves; nor
scarcely can they adopt an advantageous regulation in
which their own interests will not partiCipate of the
advantage~ ,
1~he proceedings and debates of parliament, and
the parliamentary conduct of each representative are
krlown by the people at large.
'fhe represel1tative is so far dependent upon the
constituent, aIld political importance upon public favour,
that a merl1ber of parliament cannot Inore effectually
recommend him~elf to eminence and advancement
in the state, than by contriving and patronizing
laws -of public utility.
When intelligence of the condition, wants, and occasions
of the people, is thus collected fronl every
quarter, when such a variety of invention, and so
many understandings are s~ t at work upon the sub.
ject, it may be presumed~, that the most eligible expedient,
remedy or improvement, will occur to some
one or other; and when a wise counsel, or beneficial
regulation is once suggested, it may be expected, from
the disposition of an assembly so cO!fstituted as the
British hou\e of· commons is, that it cannot fail of
receiving the approbation of a. majority.
To prevent those. destructive contentions for the
supreme power which are surt~ to take place, where
(he nlembcrs of the state do 110t live under an ac ...
kno\Vled~ed head, and a known rule of succession;
to prcs~rve the pel1ple in tran(;~uility at home, by a
.\pee(iy alld \,igorous exec\ltion ()f the laws; to pro ..
teet tl1eir interest abroa(J, by strength and energy in
111ilitctry o})crations, by those advantagt:s ot· deci~ion,
secrecy and dispatch, which belong to the resolutions
of monarchical councirs :-for these purpose~" the constitution
ha~ committed the executive gov('rnment to
the ad nlilli~trati')n (11)(\ lin,lirell ~\utJ.1()ritv of aI' h~r'~t.\.
.. .. .
,\~a rv 1~ 111 rr.
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