e of those new
evils, which are inseparable from all remedies, how they balance each
other, and what is the total result. The excellence of mathematics and
metaphysics is to have but one thing before you, but he forms the best
judgment in all moral disquisitions, who has the greatest number and
variety of considerations, in one view before him, and can take them in
with the best possible consideration of the middle results of all.

We of the opposition, who are not friends to the bill, give this pledge
at least of our integrity and sincerity to the people, that in our
situation of systematic opposition to the present ministers, in which all
our hope of rendering it effectual depends upon popular interest and
favour, we will not flatter them by a surrender of our uninfluenced
judgment and opinion; we give a security, that if ever we should be in
another situation, no flattery to any other sort of power and influence
would induce us to act against the true interests of the people.

All are agreed that parliaments should not be perpetual; the only
question is, what is the most convenient time for their duration? On
which there are three opinions. We are agreed, too, that the term ought
not to be chosen most likely in its operation to spread corruption, and
to augment the already overgrown influence of the crown. On these
principles I mean to debate the question. It is easy to pretend a zeal
for liberty. Those who think themselves not likely to be encumbered with
the performance of their promises, either from their known inability, or
total indifference about the performance, never fail to entertain the
most lofty ideas. They are certainly the most specious, and they cost
them neither reflection to frame, nor pains to modify, nor management to
support. The task is of another nature to those who mean to promise
nothing that it is not in their intentions, or may possibly be in their
power to perform; to those who are bound and principled no more to delude
the understandings than to violate the liberty of their fellow-subjects.
Faithful watchmen we ought to be over the rights and privileges of the
people. But our duty, if we are qualified for it as we ought, is to give
them information, and not to receive it from them; we are not to go to
school to them to learn the principles of law and government. In doing
so we should not dutifully serve, but we should basely and scandalously
betray, the people, who are not capabl