external circumstances still more complicated, is a matter full of
difficulties; in which a considerate man will not be too ready to decide;
a prudent man too ready to undertake; or an honest man too ready to
promise. They do not respect the public nor themselves, who engage for
more than they are sure that they ought to attempt, or that they are able
to perform. These are my sentiments, weak perhaps, but honest and
unbiassed; and submitted entirely to the opinion of grave men, well
affected to the constitution of their country, and of experience in what
may best promote or hurt it.

Indeed, in the situation in which we stand, with an immense revenue, an
enormous debt, mighty establishments, Government itself a great banker
and a great merchant, I see no other way for the preservation of a decent
attention to public interest in the Representatives, but _the
interposition of the body of the people itself_, whenever it shall
appear, by some flagrant and notorious act, by some capital innovation,
that these Representatives are going to over-leap the fences of the law,
and to introduce an arbitrary power. This interposition is a most
unpleasant remedy. But, if it be a legal remedy, it is intended on some
occasion to be used; to be used then only, when it is evident that
nothing else can hold the Constitution to its true principles.

* * * * *

The distempers of Monarchy were the great subjects of apprehension and
redress, in the last century; in this, the distempers of Parliament. It
is not in Parliament alone that the remedy for Parliamentary disorders
can be completed; hardly, indeed, can it begin there. Until a confidence
in Government is re-established, the people ought to be excited to a more
strict and detailed attention to the conduct of their Representatives.
Standards, for judging more systematically upon their conduct, ought to
be settled in the meetings of counties and corporations. Frequent and
correct lists of the voters in all important questions ought to be
procured.

By such means something may be done. By such means it may appear who
those are, that, by an indiscriminate support of all Administrations,
have totally banished all integrity and confidence out of public
proceedings; have confounded the best men with the worst; and weakened
and dissolved, instead of strengthening and compacting, the general frame
of Government. If any person is more concerned for government and order
than for the l