s within its principle, and
directed it against other evils requiring to be remedied by it. For
instance, were a bill brought forward to restrain what is usually called
trade in the necessaries of life, it might be urged that it would be
inconsistent, while that which is equally a trade, the supplying of
post horses, should be permitted: just as it has been insisted, in a
determined spirit of hostility to the bill, that it was unfair to
restrain labour in the field and permit it in the house; to prohibit the
day-labourer from prosecuting his calling, and to allow the domestic
servant to pursue hers. Now an argument, which imputes inconsistency and
unfairness to the propounder of a prohibitory measure, is one which it
would be exceedingly difficult, and perhaps impossible, satisfactorily
to answer.

2. The whole of the grievances, pertaining to every part of the subject,
were fully entered into, in that comprehensive inquiry which took place
in the Select Committee of the House of Commons, previously to the
introduction of Sir Andrew Agnew's first bill, which elicited so much
and such important and valuable information; and it follows as a
consequence, that every mischief which was within the scope of the
inquiry, should be within the scope of the enactment to be grounded
upon the result of such inquiry.

3. It is difficult to guard against the inference to be drawn from the
prohibition of one evil, and the leaving another unprohibited, that such
latter evil is intended to be tolerated and sanctioned.

4. It is extremely probable, that if, under existing circumstances, the
advocates of the proposed measure were to bring forward one of limited
extent, it would be considered that they had no ulterior object, and
that the limited measure, if conceded, should be taken in full of every
thing to be expected from the Legislature. This would be disingenuous.
It is the most fair and honest mode of dealing, on the part of those who
are of opinion that the exigency of the case calls for a comprehensive
measure, to declare _at once_ what is the utmost extent of the objects
they have in view, and what is the exact amount of the measure with
which they would be satisfied; and it is considered that such a course
is the most likely to attract the approbation and good opinion of
right-thinking individuals, and, which is an infinitely higher
consideration, to draw down the blessing of Almighty God.

5. The different provisions of the