Unrestrained power is a great corrupter of virtue, of
itself; while the liabilities of a restrained authority are very apt to
keep it in check. At least, such is the fact with us monikins--men very
possibly get along better."

"Let me tell you, Mr. Downright, you are now uttering opinions that are
diametrically opposed to those of the world, which considers virtue an
indispensable ingredient in a republic."

"The world--meaning always the monikin world--knows very little about
real political liberty, except as a theory. We of Leaplow are, in
effect, the only people who have had much to do with it, and I am now
telling you what is the result of my own observation, in my own country.
If monikins were purely virtuous, there would be no necessity for
government at all; but, being what they are, we think it wisest to set
them to watch each other."

"But yours is self-government, which implies self-restraint; and
self-restraint is but another word for virtue."

"If the merit of our system depended on self-government, in your
signification, or on self-restraint, in any signification, it would not
be worth the trouble of this argument, Sir John Goldencalf. This is one
of those balmy fallacies with which ill-judging moralists endeavor to
stimulate monikins to good deeds. Our government is based on a directly
opposite principle; that of watching and restraining each other, instead
of trusting to our ability to restrain ourselves. It is the want of
responsibility, and not of constant and active presence, which infers
virtue and self-control. No one would willingly lay legal restraints
on himself in anything, while all are very happy to restrain their
neighbors. This refers to the positive and necessary rules of
intercourse, and the establishment of rights; as to mere morality, laws
do very little towards enforcing its ordinances. Morals usually come
of instruction; and when all have political power, instruction is a
security that all desire."

"But when all vote, all may wish to abuse their trust to their own
especial advantage, and a political chaos will be the consequence."

"Such a result is impossible, except as especial advantage is identified
with general advantage. A community can no more buy itself in this
manner, than a monikin can eat himself, let him be as ravenous as
he will. Admitting that all are rogues, necessity would compel a
compromise."

"You make out a plausible theory, and I have little doubt that I s