Thesewisemen，forsuchImustcallLordSunderland，LordGodolphin，LordSomers，andLordMarlborough，weretoowellprincipledinthesemaxims，uponwhichthewholefabricofpublicstrengthisbuilt，tobeblownofftheirgroundbythebreathofeverychildishtalker。TheywerenotafraidthattheyshouldbecalledanambitiousJunto，orthattheirresolutiontostandorfalltogethershould，byplacemen，beinterpretedintoascuffleforplaces。
Partyisabodyofmenunitedforpromotingbytheirjointendeavoursthenationalinterest，uponsomeparticularprincipleinwhichtheyareallagreed。Formypart，Ifinditimpossibletoconceivethatanyonebelievesinhisownpolitics，orthinksthemtobeofanyweight，whorefusestoadoptthemeansofhavingthemreducedintopractice。ItisthebusinessofthespeculativephilosophertomarktheproperendsofGovernment。Itisthebusinessofthepolitician，whoisthephilosopherinaction，tofindoutpropermeanstowardsthoseends，andtoemploythemwitheffect。Therefore，everyhonourableconnectionwillavowitastheirfirstpurposetopursueeveryjustmethodtoputthemenwhoholdtheiropinionsintosuchaconditionasmayenablethemtocarrytheircommonplansintoexecution，withallthepowerandauthorityoftheState。Asthispowerisattachedtocertainsituations，itistheirdutytocontendforthesesituations。
Withoutaproscriptionofothers，theyareboundtogivetotheirownpartythepreferenceinallthings，andbynomeans，forprivateconsiderations，toacceptanyoffersofpowerinwhichthewholebodyisnotincluded，nortosufferthemselvestobeled，ortobecontrolled，ortobeover—balanced，inofficeorincouncil，bythosewhocontradict，theveryfundamentalprinciplesonwhichtheirpartyisformed，andeventhoseuponwhicheveryfairconnectionmuststand。Suchagenerouscontentionforpower，onsuchmanlyandhonourablemaxims，willeasilybedistinguishedfromthemeanandinterestedstruggleforplaceandemolument。Theverystyleofsuchpersonswillservetodiscriminatethemfromthosenumberlessimpostorswhohavedeludedtheignorantwithprofessionsincompatiblewithhumanpractice，andhaveafterwardsincensedthembypracticesbelowthelevelofvulgarrectitude。
Itisanadvantagetoallnarrowwisdomandnarrowmoralsthattheirmaximshaveaplausibleair，and，onacursoryview，appearequaltofirstprinciples。Theyarelightandportable。Theyareascurrentascoppercoin，andaboutasvaluable。Theyserveequallythefirstcapacitiesandthelowest，andtheyare，atleast，asusefultotheworstmenasthebest。OfthisstampisthecantofNOTMEN，BUT
MEASURES;asortofcharm，bywhichmanypeoplegotloosefromeveryhonourableengagement。WhenIseeamanactingthisdesultoryanddisconnectedpart，withasmuchdetrimenttohisownfortuneasprejudicetothecauseofanyparty，Iamnotpersuadedthatheisright，butIamreadytobelieveheisinearnest。Irespectvirtueinallitssituations，evenwhenitisfoundintheunsuitablecompanyofweakness。Ilamenttoseequalities，rareandvaluable，squanderedawaywithoutanypublicutility。Butwhenagentlemanwithgreatvisibleemolumentsabandonsthepartyinwhichhehaslongacted，andtellsyouitisbecauseheproceedsuponhisownjudgmentthatheactsonthemeritsoftheseveralmeasuresastheyarise，andthatheisobligedtofollowhisownconscience，andnotthatofothers，hegivesreasonswhichitisimpossibletocontrovert，anddiscoversacharacterwhichitisimpossibletomistake。Whatshallwethinkofhimwhoneverdifferedfromacertainsetofmenuntilthemomenttheylosttheirpower，andwhoneveragreedwiththeminasingleinstanceafterwards？Wouldnotsuchacoincidenceofinterestandopinionberatherfortunate？
Woulditnotbeanextraordinarycastuponthedicethataman’sconnectionsshoulddegenerateintofaction，preciselyatthecriticalmomentwhentheylosetheirpowerorheacceptsaplace？
Whenpeopledeserttheirconnections，thedesertionisamanifestfact，uponwhichadirectsimpleissuelies，triablebyplainmen。
WhetheraMEASUREofGovernmentberightorwrongisNOMATTEROF
FACT，butamereaffairofopinion，onwhichmenmay，astheydo，disputeandwranglewithoutend。Butwhethertheindividualthinksthemeasurerightorwrongisapointatstillagreaterdistancefromthereachofallhumandecision。Itisthereforeveryconvenienttopoliticiansnottoputthejudgmentoftheirconductonovertacts，cognisableinanyordinarycourt，butuponsuchamatterascanbetriableonlyinthatsecrettribunal，wheretheyaresureofbeingheardwithfavour，orwhereatworstthesentencewillbeonlyprivatewhipping。
Ibelievethereaderwouldwishtofindnosubstanceinadoctrinewhichhasatendencytodestroyalltestofcharacterasdeducedfromconduct。Hewillthereforeexcusemyaddingsomethingmoretowardsthefurtherclearingupapointwhichthegreatconvenienceofobscuritytodishonestyhasbeenabletocoverwithsomedegreeofdarknessanddoubt。
Inordertothrowanodiumonpoliticalconnection，thesepoliticianssupposeitanecessaryincidenttoitthatyouareblindlytofollowtheopinionsofyourpartywhenindirectoppositiontoyourownclearideas，adegreeofservitudethatnoworthymancouldbearthethoughtofsubmittingto，andsuchas，I
believe，noconnections（exceptsomeCourtfactions）evercouldbesosenselesslytyrannicalastoimpose。Menthinkingfreelywill，inparticularinstances，thinkdifferently。Butstill，asthegreaterPartofthemeasureswhichariseinthecourseofpublicbusinessarerelatedto，ordependenton，somegreatleadinggeneralprinciplesinGovernment，amanmustbepeculiarlyunfortunateinthechoiceofhispoliticalcompanyifhedoesnotagreewiththematleastninetimesinten。Ifhedoesnotconcurinthesegeneralprinciplesuponwhichthepartyisfounded，andwhichnecessarilydrawonaconcurrenceintheirapplication，heoughtfromthebeginningtohavechosensomeother，moreconformabletohisopinions。Whenthequestionisinitsnaturedoubtful，ornotverymaterial，themodestywhichbecomesanindividual，and（inspiteofourCourtmoralists）thatpartialitywhichbecomesawell—chosenfriendship，willfrequentlybringonanacquiescenceinthegeneralsentiment。Thusthedisagreementwillnaturallyberare;itwillbeonlyenoughtoindulgefreedom，withoutviolatingconcordordisturbingarrangement。Andthisisallthateverwasrequiredforacharacterofthegreatestuniformityandsteadinessinconnection。
Howmencanproceedwithoutanyconnectionatallistomeutterlyincomprehensible。Ofwhatsortofmaterialsmustthatmanbemade，howmusthebetemperedandputtogether，whocansitwholeyearsinParliament，withfivehundredandfiftyofhisfellow—citizens，amidstthestormofsuchtempestuouspassions，inthesharpconflictofsomanywits，andtempers，andcharacters，intheagitationofsuchmightyquestions，inthediscussionofsuchvastandponderousinterests，withoutseeinganyonesortofmen，whosecharacter，conduct，ordispositionwouldleadhimtoassociatehimselfwiththem，toaidandbeaided，inanyonesystemofpublicutility？
Irememberanoldscholasticaphorism，whichsaysthat\"themanwholiveswhollydetachedfromothersmustbeeitheranangeloradevil。\"WhenIseeinanyofthesedetachedgentlemenofourtimestheangelicpurity，power，andbeneficence，Ishalladmitthemtobeangels。Inthemeantime，wearebornonlytobemen。Weshalldoenoughifweformourselvestobegoodones。Itisthereforeourbusinesscarefullytocultivateinourminds，toreartothemostperfectvigourandmaturity，everysortofgenerousandhonestfeelingthatbelongstoournature。Tobringthe，dispositionsthatarelovelyinprivatelifeintotheserviceandconductofthecommonwealth;sotobepatriots，asnottoforgetwearegentlemen。
Tocultivatefriendships，andtoincurenmities。Tohavebothstrong，butbothselected：intheone，tobeplacable;intheother，immovable。Tomodelourprinciplestoourdutiesandoursituation。Tobefullypersuadedthatallvirtuewhichisimpracticableisspurious，andrathertoruntheriskoffallingintofaultsinacoursewhichleadsustoactwitheffectandenergythantoloiteroutourdayswithoutblameandwithoutuse。Publiclifeisasituationofpowerandenergy;hetrespassesagainsthisdutywhosleepsuponhiswatch，aswellashethatgoesovertotheenemy。
Thereis，however，atimeforallthings。Itisnoteveryconjuncturewhichcallswithequalforceupontheactivityofhonestmen;butcriticalexigencesnowandthenarise，andIammistakenifthisbenotoneofthem。Menwillseethenecessityofhonestcombination，buttheymayseeitwhenitistoolate。Theymayembodywhenitwillberuinoustothemselves，andofnoadvantagetothecountry;when，forwantofsuchatimelyunionasmayenablethemtoopposeinfavourofthelaws，withthelawsontheirside，theymayatlengthfindthemselvesunderthenecessityofconspiring，insteadofconsulting。Thelaw，forwhichtheystand，maybecomeaweaponinthehandsofitsbitterestenemies;andtheywillbecast，atlength，intothatmiserablealternative，betweenslaveryandcivilconfusion，whichnogoodmancanlookuponwithouthorror，analternativeinwhichitisimpossibleheshouldtakeeitherpartwithaconscienceperfectlyatrepose。Tokeepthatsituationofguiltandremorseattheutmostdistanceis，therefore，ourfirstobligation。Earlyactivitymaypreventlateandfruitlessviolence。Asyetweworkinthelight。Theschemeoftheenemiesofpublictranquillityhasdisarranged，ithasnotdestroyedus。
IfthereaderbelievesthattherereallyexistssuchaFactionasI
havedescribed，aFactionrulingbytheprivateinclinationsofaCourt，againstthegeneralsenseofthepeople;andthatthisFaction，whilstitpursuesaschemeforunderminingallthefoundationsofourfreedom，weakens（forthepresentatleast）allthepowersofexecutoryGovernment，renderingusabroadcontemptible，andathomedistracted;hewillbelieve，also，thatnothingbutafirmcombinationofpublicmenagainstthisbody，andthat，too，supportedbytheheartyconcurrenceofthepeopleatlarge，canpossiblygetthebetterofit。Thepeoplewillseethenecessityofrestoringpublicmentoanattentiontothepublicopinion，andofrestoringtheConstitutiontoitsoriginalprinciples。Aboveall，theywillendeavourtokeeptheHouseofCommonsfromassumingacharacterwhichdoesnotbelongtoit。TheywillendeavourtokeepthatHouse，foritsexistenceforitspowers，anditsprivileges，asindependentofeveryother，andasdependentuponthemselves，aspossible。ThisservitudeistoaHouseofCommons（likeobediencetotheDivinelaw），\"perfectfreedom。\"Foriftheyoncequitthisnatural，rational，andliberalobedience，havingdesertedtheonlyproperfoundationoftheirpower，theymustseekasupportinanabjectandunnaturaldependencesomewhereelse。
When，throughthemediumofthisjustconnectionwiththeirconstituents，thegenuinedignityoftheHouseofCommonsisrestored，itwillbegintothinkofcastingfromit，withscorn，asbadgesofservility，allthefalseornamentsofillegalpower，withwhichithasbeen，forsometime，disgraced。ItwillbegintothinkofitsoldofficeofCONTROL。Itwillnotsufferthatlastofevilstopredominateinthecountry;menwithoutpopularconfidence，publicopinion，naturalconnection，ornaturaltrust，investedwithallthepowersofGovernment。
Whentheyhavelearnedthislessonthemselves，theywillbewillingandabletoteachtheCourt，thatitisthetrueinterestofthePrincetohavebutoneAdministration;andthatonecomposedofthosewhorecommendthemselvestotheirSovereignthroughtheopinionoftheircountry，andnotbytheirobsequiousnesstoafavourite。SuchmenwillservetheirSovereignwithaffectionandfidelity;becausehischoiceofthem，uponsuchprinciples，isacomplimenttotheirvirtue。Theywillbeabletoservehimeffectually;becausetheywilladdtheweightofthecountrytotheforceoftheexecutorypower。TheywillbeabletoservetheirKingwithdignity;becausetheywillneverabusehisnametothegratificationoftheirprivatespleenoravarice。This，withallowancesforhumanfrailty，mayprobablybethegeneralcharacterofaMinistry，whichthinksitselfaccountabletotheHouseofCommons，whentheHouseofCommonsthinksitselfaccountabletoitsconstituents。Ifotherideasshouldprevail，thingsmustremainintheirpresentconfusion，untiltheyarehurriedintoalltherageofcivilviolence;oruntiltheysinkintothedeadreposeofdespotism。
SPEECHONTHEMIDDLESEXELECTION
FEBRUARY，1771
Mr。Speaker，——IneverycomplicatedConstitution（andeveryfreeConstitutioniscomplicated）caseswillarise，whentheseveralordersoftheStatewillclashwithoneanother，anddisputeswillariseaboutthelimitsoftheirseveralrightsandprivileges。Itmaybealmostimpossibletoreconcilethem。
CarrytheprincipleonbywhichyouexpelledMr。Wilkes，thereisnotamanintheHouse，hardlyamaninthenation，whomaynotbedisqualified。ThatthisHouseshouldhavenopowerofexpulsionisahardsaying。ThatthisHouseshouldhaveageneraldiscretionarypowerofdisqualificationisadangeroussaying。Thatthepeopleshouldnotchoosetheirownrepresentative，isasayingthatshakestheConstitution。ThatthisHouseshouldnametherepresentative，isasayingwhich，followedbypractice，subvertstheconstitution。
Theyhavetherightofelecting，youhavearightofexpelling;theyofchoosing，youofjudging，andonlyofjudging，ofthechoice。
Whatboundsshallbesettothefreedomofthatchoice？Theirrightispriortoours，wealloriginatethere。TheyarethemortalenemiesoftheHouseofCommons，whowouldpersuadethemtothinkortoactasiftheywereaself—originatedmagistracy，independentofthepeopleandunconnectedwiththeiropinionsandfeelings。Underapretenceofexaltingthedignity，theyunderminetheveryfoundationsofthisHouse。Whenthequestionisaskedhere，whatdisturbsthepeople，whenceallthisclamour，weapplytothetreasury—bench，andtheytellusitisfromtheeffortsoflibellersandthewickednessofthepeople，aworn—outministerialpretence。
Ifabroadthepeoplearedeceivedbypopular，withinwearedeludedbyministerial，cant。Thequestionamountstothis，whetheryoumeantobealegaltribunal，oranarbitraryanddespoticassembly。
IseeandIfeelthedelicacyanddifficultyofthegrounduponwhichwestandinthisquestion。Icouldwish，indeed，thattheywhoadvisedtheCrownhadnotleftParliamentinthisveryungracefuldistress，inwhichtheycanneitherretractwithdignitynorpersistwithjustice。Anotherparliamentmighthavesatisfiedthepeoplewithoutloweringthemselves。Butoursituationisnotinourownchoice：ourconductinthatsituationisallthatisinourownoption。Thesubstanceofthequestionis，toputboundstoyourownpowerbytherulesandprinciplesoflaw。Thisis，Iamsensible，adifficultthingtothecorrupt，grasping，andambitiouspartofhumannature。Buttheverydifficultyarguesandenforcesthenecessityofit。First，becausethegreaterthepower，themoredangeroustheabuse。SincetheRevolution，atleast，thepowerofthenationhasallflowedwithafulltideintotheHouseofCommons。Secondly，becausetheHouseofCommons，asitisthemostpowerful，isthemostcorruptiblepartofthewholeConstitution。
Ourpublicwoundscannotbeconcealed;tobecured，theymustbelaidopen。Thepublicdoesthinkweareacorruptbody。Inourlegislativecapacityweare，inmostinstances，esteemedaverywisebody。Inourjudicial，wehavenocredit，nocharacterat，all。
Ourjudgmentsstinkinthenostrilsofthepeople。Theythinkustobenotonlywithoutvirtue，butwithoutshame。Therefore，thegreatnessofourpower，andthegreatandjustopinionofourcorruptibilityandourcorruption，renderitnecessarytofixsomebound，toplantsomelandmark，whichwearenevertoexceed。Thatiswhatthebillproposes。First，onthishead，Ilayitdownasafundamentalruleinthelawandconstitutionofthiscountry，thatthisHousehasnotbyitselfalonealegislativeauthorityinanycasewhatsoever。IknowthatthecontrarywasthedoctrineoftheusurpingHouseofCommonswhichthrewdownthefencesandbulwarksoflaw，whichannihilatedfirstthelords，thentheCrown，thenitsconstituents。ButthefirstthingthatwasdoneontherestorationoftheConstitutionwastosettlethispoint。Secondly，Ilayitdownasarule，thatthepowerofoccasionalincapacitation，ondiscretionarygrounds，isalegislativepower。Inordertoestablishthisprinciple，ifitshouldnotbesufficientlyprovedbybeingstated，tellmewhatarethecriteria，thecharacteristics，bywhichyoudistinguishbetweenalegislativeandajuridicalact。Itwillbenecessarytostate，shortly，thedifferencebetweenalegislativeandajuridicalact。Alegislativeacthasnoreferencetoanyrulebutthesetwo：originaljustice，anddiscretionaryapplication。Therefore，itcangiverights;rightswherenorightsexistedbefore;anditcantakeawayrightswheretheywerebeforeestablished。Forthelaw，whichbindsallothers，doesnotandcannotbindthelaw—maker;he，andhealone，isabovethelaw。Butajudge，apersonexercisingajudicialcapacity，isneithertoapplytooriginaljustice，nortoadiscretionaryapplicationofit。
Hegoestojusticeanddiscretiononlyatsecondhand，andthroughthemediumofsomesuperiors。Heistoworkneitheruponhisopinionoftheonenoroftheother;butuponafixedrule，ofwhichhehasnotthemaking，butsinglyandsolelytheapplicationtothecase。
ThepowerassumedbytheHouseneitheris，norcanbe，judicialpowerexercisedaccordingtoknownlaw。Thepropertiesoflaware，first，thatitshouldbeknown;secondly，thatitshouldbefixedandnotoccasional。First，thispowercannotbeaccordingtothefirstpropertyoflaw;becausenomandoesorcanknowit，nordoyouyourselvesknowuponwhatgroundsyouwillvotetheincapacityofanyman。NomaninWestminsterHall，orinanycourtuponearth，willsaythatislaw，uponwhich，ifamangoingtohiscounselshouldsaytohim，\"Whatismytenureinlawofthisestate？\"hewouldanswer，\"Truly，sir，Iknownot;thecourthasnorulebutitsowndiscretion：theywilldetermine。\"Itisnota，fixedlaw，becauseyouprofessyouvaryitaccordingtotheoccasion，exerciseitaccordingtoyourdiscretion;nomancancallforitasaright。
Itisarguedthattheincapacityisnotoriginallyvoted，butaconsequenceofapowerofexpulsion：butifyouexpel，notuponlegal，butuponarbitrary，thatis，upondiscretionarygrounds，andtheincapacityisexviterminiandinclusivelycomprehendedintheexpulsion，isnottheincapacityvotedintheexpulsion？Aretheynotconvertibleterms？and，ifincapacityisvotedtobeinherentinexpulsion，ifexpulsionbearbitrary，incapacityisarbitraryalso。
Ihave，therefore，shownthatthepowerofincapacitationisalegislativepower;IhaveshownthatlegislativepowerdoesnotbelongtotheHouseofCommons;and，therefore，itfollowsthattheHouseofCommonshasnotapowerofincapacitation。
IknownottheoriginoftheHouseofCommons，butamverysurethatitdidnotcreateitself;theelectorsworepriortotheelected;
whoserightsoriginatedeitherfromthepeopleatlarge，orfromsomeotherformoflegislature，whichnevercouldintendforthechosenapowerofsupersedingthechoosers。
Ifyouhavenotapowerofdeclaringanincapacitysimplybythemereactofdeclaringit，itisevidenttothemostordinaryreasonyoucannothavearightofexpulsion，inferring，orrather，including，anincapacity，Forasthelaw，whenitgivesanydirectright，givesalsoasnecessaryincidentsallthemeansofacquiringthepossessionofthatright，sowhereitdoesnotgivearightdirectly，itrefusesallthemeansbywhichsucharightmaybyanymediumsbeexercised，orineffectbeindirectlyacquired。Elseitisveryobviousthattheintentionofthelawinrefusingthatrightmightbeentirelyfrustrated，andthewholepowerofthelegislaturebaffled。Iftherebenocertaininvariableruleofeligibility，itwerebettertogetsimplicity，ifcertaintyisnottobehad;andtoresolveallthefranchisesofthesubjectintothisoneshortproposition——thewillandpleasureoftheHouseofCommons。
Theargument，drawnfromthecourtsoflaw，applyingtheprinciplesoflawtonewcasesastheyemerge，isaltogetherfrivolous，inapplicable，andarisesfromatotalignoranceoftheboundsbetweencivilandcriminaljurisdiction，andoftheseparatemaximsthatgovernthesetwoprovincesoflaw，thatareeternallyseparate。
Undoubtedlythecourtsoflaw，whereanewcasecomesbeforethem，astheydoeveryhour，then，thattheremaybenodefectinjustice，callinsimilarprinciples，andtheexampleofthenearestdetermination，anddoeverythingtodrawthelawtoasnearaconformitytogeneralequityandrightreasonastheycanbringitwithitsbeingafixedprinciple。Bonijudicisestampliarejustitiam——thatis，tomakeopenandliberaljustice。Butincriminalmattersthisparityofreason，andtheseanalogies，everhavebeen，andeveroughttobe，shunned。
Whateverisincidenttoacourtofjudicature，isnecessarytotheHouseofCommons，asjudginginelections。Butapowerofmakingincapacitiesisnotnecessarytoacourtofjudicature;thereforeapowerofmakingincapacitiesisnotnecessarytotheHouseofCommons。
Incapacity，declaredbywhateverauthority，standsupontwoprinciples：first，anincapacityarisingfromthesupposedincongruityoftwodutiesinthecommonwealth;secondly，anincapacityarisingfromunfitnessbyinfirmityofnature，orthecriminalityofconduct。Astothefirstclassofincapacities，theyhavenohardshipannexedtothem。Thepersonssoincapacitatedarepaidbyonedignityforwhattheyabandoninanother，and，forthemostpart，thesituationarisesfromtheirownchoice。Butastothesecond，arisingfromanunfitnessnotfixedbynature，butsuperinducedbysomepositiveacts，orarisingfromhonourablemotives，suchasanoccasionalpersonaldisability，ofallthingsitoughttobedefinedbythefixedruleoflaw——whatLordCokecallstheGoldenMetwandoftheLaw，andnotbythecrookedcordofdiscretion。Whateverisgeneralisbetterborn。Wetakeourcommonlotwithmenofthesamedescription。Buttobeselectedandmarkedoutbyaparticularbrandofunworthinessamongourfellow—citizens，isalotofallothersthehardesttobeborne：andconsequentlyisofallothersthatactwhichoughtonlytobetrustedtothelegislature，asnotonlylegislativeinitsnature，butofallpartsoflegislaturethemostodious。Thequestionisover，ifthisisshownnottobealegislativeact。Butwhatisveryusualandnatural，istocorruptjudicatureintolegislature。Onthispointitispropertoinquirewhetheracourtofjudicature，whichdecideswithoutappeal，hasitasanecessaryincidentofsuchjudicature，thatwhateveritdecidesdejureislaw。Nobodywill，Ihope，assertthis，becausethedirectconsequencewouldbetheentireextinctionofthedifferencebetweentrueandfalsejudgments。For，ifthejudgmentmakesthelaw，andnotthelawdirectsthejudgment，itisimpossibletherecouldbesuchathingasanillegaljudgmentgiven。
But，insteadofstandinguponthisground，theyintroduceanotherquestion，whollyforeigntoit，whetheritoughtnottobesubmittedtoasifitwerelaw。Andthenthequestionis，BytheConstitutionofthiscountry，whatdegreeofsubmissionisduetotheauthoritativeactsofalimitedpower？Thisquestionofsubmission，determineithowyouplease，hasnothingtodointhisdiscussionandinthisHouse。Hereitisnothowlongthepeopleareboundtotoleratetheillegalityofourjudgments，butwhetherwehavearighttosubstituteouroccasionalopinionintheplaceoflaw，soastodeprivethecitizenofhisfranchise。
SPEECHONTHEPOWERSOFJURIESINPROSECUTIONSFORLIBELS
MARCH，1771
Ihavealwaysunderstoodthatasuperintendenceoverthedoctrines，aswellastheproceedings，ofthecourtsofjustice，wasaprincipalobjectoftheconstitutionofthisHouse;thatyouweretowatchatonceoverthelawyerandthelaw;thatthereshouldheanorthodoxfaithaswellasproperworks：andIhavealwayslookedwithadegreeofreverenceandadmirationonthismodeofsuperintendence。Forbeingtotallydisengagedfromthedetailofjuridicalpractice，wecometosomething，perhaps，thebetterqualified，andcertainlymuchthebetterdisposedtoassertthegenuineprincipleofthelaws;inwhichwecan，asabody，havenootherthananenlargedandapublicinterest。Wehavenocommoncauseofaprofessionalattachment，orprofessionalemulations，tobiasourminds;wehavenoforegoneopinions，which，fromobstinacyandfalsepointofhonour，wethinkourselvesatalleventsobligedtosupport。Sothatwithourownmindsperfectlydisengagedfromtheexercise，wemaysuperintendtheexecutionofthenationaljustice;whichfromthiscircumstanceisbettersecuredtothepeoplethaninanyothercountryunderheavenitcanbe。Asoursituationputsusinapropercondition，ourpowerenablesustoexecutethistrust。Wemay，whenweseecauseofcomplaint，administeraremedy;itisinourchoicebyanaddresstoremoveanimproperjudge，byimpeachmentbeforethepeerstopursuetodestructionacorruptjudge，orbybilltoassert，toexplain，toenforce，ortoreformthelaw，justastheoccasionandnecessityofthecaseshallguideus。Westandinasituationveryhonourabletoourselves，andveryusefultoourcountry，ifwedonotabuseorabandonthetrustthatisplacedinus。
Thequestionnowbeforeyouisuponthepowerofjuriesinprosecutingforlibels。Therearefouropinions。1。Thatthedoctrineasheldbythecourtsisproperandconstitutional，andthereforeshouldnotbealtered。2。Thatitisneitherpropernorconstitutional，butthatitwillberenderedworsebyyourinterference。3。Thatitiswrong，butthattheonlyremedyisabillofretrospect。4。Theopinionofthosewhobringinthebill;
thatthethingiswrong，butthatitisenoughtodirectthejudgmentofthecourtinfuture。
Thebillbroughtinisforthepurposeofassertingandsecuringagreatobjectinthejuridicalconstitutionofthiskingdom;which，fromalongseriesofpracticesandopinionsinourjudges，has，inonepoint，andinoneveryessentialpoint，deviatedfromthetrueprinciple。
ItistheveryancientprivilegeofthepeopleofEnglandthattheyshallbetried，exceptintheknownexceptions，notbyjudgesappointedbytheCrown，butbytheirownfellow—subjects，thepeersofthatcountycourtatwhichtheyowetheirsuitandservice;outofthisprincipletrialbyjurieshasgrown。Thisprinciplehasnot，thatIcanfind，beencontestedinanycase，byanyauthoritywhatsoever;butthereisonecase，inwhich，withoutdirectlycontestingtheprinciple，thewholesubstance，energy，acidvirtueoftheprivilege，istakenoutofit;thatis，inthecaseofatrialbyindictmentorinformationforlibel。Thedoctrineinthatcaselaiddownbyseveraljudgesamountstothis，thatthejuryhavenocompetencewherealibelisalleged，excepttofindthegrosscorporealfactsofthewritingandthepublication，togetherwiththeidentityofthethingsandpersonstowhichitrefers;butthattheintentandthetendencyofthework，inwhichintentandtendencythewholecriminalityconsists，isthesoleandexclusiveprovinceofthejudge。Thushavingreducedthejurytothecognisanceoffacts，notinthemselvespresumptivelycriminal，butactionsneutralandindifferentthewholematter，inwhichthesubjecthasanyconcernorinterest，istakenoutofthehandsofthejury：andifthejurytakemoreuponthemselves，whattheysotakeiscontrarytotheirduty;itisnomoral，butamerelynaturalpower;thesame，bywhichtheymaydoanyotherimproperact，thesame，bywhichtheymayevenprejudicethemselveswithregardtoanyotherpartoftheissuebeforethem。Suchisthematterasitnowstands，inpossessionofyourhighestcriminalcourts，handeddowntothemfromveryrespectablelegalancestors。Ifthiscanoncebeestablishedinthiscase，theapplicationinprincipletoothercaseswillbeeasy;andthepracticewillrunuponadescent，untiltheprogressofanencroachingjurisdiction（foritisinitsnaturetoencroach，whenonceithaspasseditslimits）comingtoconfinethejuries，caseaftercase，tothecorporealfact，andtothatalone，andexcludingtheintentionofmind，theonlysourceofmeritanddemerit，ofrewardorpunishment，juriesbecomeadeadletterintheconstitution。
ForwhichreasonitishightimetotakethismatterintotheconsiderationofParliament，andforthatpurposeitwillbenecessarytoexamine，first，whetherthereisanythinginthepeculiarnatureofthiscrimethatmakesitnecessarytoexcludethejuryfromconsideringtheintentioninit，morethaninothers。Sofarfromit，thatItakeittobemuchlesssofromtheanalogyofothercriminalcases，wherenosuchrestraintisordinarilyputuponthem。Theactofhomicideisprimafaciecriminal。Theintentionisafterwardstoappear，forthejurytoacquitorcondemn。Inburglarydotheyinsistthatthejuryhavenothingtodobuttofindthetakingofgoods，andthat，iftheydo，theymustnecessarilyfindthepartyguilty，andleavetheresttothejudge;andthattheyhavenothingtodowiththewordfeloniceintheindictment？
Thenextpointistoconsideritasaquestionofconstitutionalpolicy，thatis，whetherthedecisionofthequestionoflibeloughttobelefttothejudgesasapresumptionoflaw，ratherthantothejuryasmatterofpopularjudgment，asthemaliceinthecaseofmurder，thefelonyinthecaseofstealing。Iftheintentandtendencyarenotmatterswithintheprovinceofpopularjudgment，butlegalandtechnicalconclusions，formedupongeneralprinciplesoflaw，letusseewhattheyare。Certainlytheyaremostunfavourable，indeed，totallyadverse，totheConstitutionofthiscountry。
Herewemusthaverecoursetoanalogies，forwecannotargueonruledcasesonewayortheother。Seethehistory。Theoldbooks，deficientingeneralinCrowncasesfurnishuswithlittleonthishead。Astothecrime，intheveryearlySaxonLaw，Iseeanoffenceofthisspecies，calledFolk—leasing，madeacapitaloffence，butnoveryprecisedefinitionofthecrime，andnotrialatall：seethestatuteof3rdEdwardI。cap。34。Thelawoflibelscouldnothavearrivedataveryearlyperiodinthiscountry。Itisnowonderthatwefindnovestigeofanyconstitutionfromauthority，orofanydeductionsfromlegalscienceinouroldbooksandrecordsuponthatsubject。ThestatuteofscandalummagnatumistheoldestthatIknow，andthisgoesbutalittlewayinthissortoflearning。Libellingisnotthecrimeofanilliteratepeople。Whentheywerethoughtnomeanclerkswhocouldreadandwrite，whenhewhocouldreadandwritewaspresumptivelyapersoninholyorders，libelscouldnotbegeneralordangerous;andscandalsmerelyoralcouldspreadlittle，andmustperishsoon。Itiswriting，itisprintingmoreemphatically，thatimpscalumnywiththoseeaglewings，onwhich，asthepoetsays，\"immortalslandersfly。\"Bythepresstheyspread，theylast，theyleavethestinginthewound。PrintingwasnotknowninEnglandmuchearlierthanthereignofHenryVII。，andinthethirdyearofthatreigntheCourtofStarChamberwasestablished。Thepressanditsenemyarenearlycoeval。Asnopositivelawagainstlibelsexisted，theyfellundertheindefiniteclassofmisdemeanours。Forthetrialofmisdemeanoursthatcourtwasinstituted，theirtendencytoproduceriotsanddisorderswasamainpartofthecharge，andwaslaid，inordertogivethecourtjurisdictionchieflyagainstlibels。Theoffencewasnew。Learningoftheirownuponthesubjecttheyhadnone，andtheywereobligedtoresorttotheonlyemporiumwhereitwastobehad，theRomanLaw。AftertheStarChamberwasabolishedinthe10thofCharlesI。itsauthorityindeedceased，butitsmaximssubsistedandsurvivedit。ThespiritoftheStarChamberhastransmigratedandlivedagain，andWestminsterHallwasobligedtoborrowfromtheStarChamber，forthesamereasonsastheStarChamberhadborrowedfromtheRomanForum，becausetheyhadnolaw，statute，ortraditionoftheirown。ThustheRomanLawtookpossessionofourcourts，Imeanitsdoctrine，notitssanctions;
theseverityofcapitalpunishmentwasomitted，alltherestremained。Thegroundsoftheselawsarejustandequitable。
Undoubtedlythegoodfameofeverymanoughttobeundertheprotectionofthelawsaswellashislife，andliberty，andproperty。Goodfameisanoutwork，thatdefendsthemall，andrendersthemallvaluable。Thelawforbidsyoutorevenge;whenittiesupthehandsofsome，itoughttorestrainthetonguesofothers。Thegoodfameofgovernmentisthesame，itoughtnottobetraduced。Thisisnecessaryinallgovernment，andifopinionbesupport，whattakesawaythisdestroysthatsupport;butthelibertyofthepressisnecessarytothisgovernment。
Thewisdom，however，ofgovernmentisofmoreimportancethanthelaws。IshouldstudythetemperofthepeoplebeforeIventuredonactionsofthiskind。IwouldconsiderthewholeoftheprosecutionofalibelofsuchimportanceasJunius，asonepiece，asoneconsistentplanofoperations;andIwouldcontriveitsothat，ifI
weredefeated，Ishouldnotbedisgraced;thatevenmyvictoryshouldnotbemoreignominiousthanmydefeat;Iwouldsomanage，thatthelowestinthepredicamentofguiltshouldnotbetheonlyoneinpunishment。Iwouldnotinformagainstthemerevenderofacollectionofpamphlets。Iwouldnotputhimtotrialfirst，ifI
couldpossiblyavoidit。Iwouldratherstandtheconsequencesofmyfirsterror，thancarryittoajudgmentthatmustdisgracemyprosecution，orthecourt。Weoughttoexaminethesethingsinamannerwhichbecomesourselves，andbecomestheobjectoftheinquiry;nottoexamineintothemostimportantconsiderationwhichcancomebeforeus，withmindsheatedwithprejudiceandfilledwithpassions，withvainpopularopinionsandhumours，andwhenweproposetoexamineintothejusticeofothers，tobeunjustourselves。
Aninquiryiswished，asthemosteffectualwayofputtinganendtotheclamoursandlibels，whicharethedisorderanddisgraceofthetimes。Forpeopleremainquiet，theysleepsecure，whentheyimaginethatthevigilanteyeofacensorialmagistratewatchesoveralltheproceedingsofjudicature，andthatthesacredfireofaneternalconstitutionaljealousy，whichistheguardianofliberty，law，andjustice，isalivenightandday，andburninginthishouse。
Butwhenthemagistrategivesuphisofficeandhisduty，thepeopleassumeit，andtheyinquiretoomuch，andtooirreverently，becausetheythinktheirrepresentativesdonotinquireatall。
Wehaveinalibel，1st。Thewriting。2nd。Thecommunication，calledbythelawyersthepublication。3rd。Theapplicationtopersonsandfacts。4th。Theintentandtendency。5th。Thematter——diminutionoffame。Thelawpresumptionsonalltheseareinthecommunication。Nointentcan，makeadefamatorypublicationgood，nothingcanmakeithaveagoodtendency;truthisnotpleadable。Takenjuridically，thefoundationoftheselawpresumptionsisnotunjust;takenconstitutionally，theyareruinous，andtendtothetotalsuppressionofallpublication。Ifjuriesareconfinedtothefact，nowritingwhichcensures，howeverjustly，orhowevertemperately，theconductofadministration，canbeunpunished。Therefore，iftheintentandtendencybelefttothejudge，aslegalconclusionsgrowingfromthefact，youmaydependuponityoucanhavenopublicdiscussionofapublicmeasure，whichisapointwhicheventhosewhoaremostoffendedwiththelicentiousnessofthepress（anditisveryexorbitant，veryprovoking）willhardlycontendfor。
Sofarastothefirstopinion，thatthedoctrineisrightandneedsnoalteration。2nd。Thenextis，thatitiswrong，butthatwearenotinaconditiontohelpit。Iadmit，itistrue，thattherearecasesofanaturesodelicateandcomplicated，thatanActofParliamentonthesubjectmaybecomeamatterofgreatdifficulty。
Itsometimescannotdefinewithexactness，becausethesubject—
matterwillnotbearanexactdefinition。Itmayseemtotakeawayeverythingwhichitdoesnotpositivelyestablish，andthismightbeinconvenient;oritmayseemviceversatoestablisheverythingwhichitdoesnotexpresslytakeaway。Itmaybemoreadvisabletoleavesuchmatterstotheenlighteneddiscretionofajudge，awedbyacensorialHouseofCommons。Butthenitrestsuponthosewhoobjecttoalegislativeinterpositiontoprovetheseinconveniencesintheparticularcasebeforethem。Foritwouldbeamostdangerous，asitisamostidleandmostgroundless，conceittoassumeasageneralprinciple，thattherightsandlibertiesofthesubjectareimpairedbythecareandattentionofthelegislaturetosecurethem。Ifso，veryillwouldthepurchaseofMagnaChartahavemeritedthedelugeofblood，whichwasshedinordertohavethebodyofEnglishprivilegesdefinedbyapositivewrittenlaw。
Thischarter，theinestimablemonumentofEnglishfreedom，solongtheboastandgloryofthisnation，wouldhavebeenatonceaninstrumentofourservitude，andamonumentofourfolly，ifthisprincipleweretrue。Thethirtyfourconfirmationswouldhavebeenonlysomanyrepetitionsoftheirabsurdity，somanynewlinksinthechain，andsomanyinvalidationsoftheirright。
Youcannotopenyourstatutebookwithoutseeingpositiveprovisionsrelativetoeveryrightofthesubject。Thisbusinessofjuriesisthesubjectofnotfewerthanadozen。TosupposethatjuriesaresomethinginnateintheConstitutionofGreatBritain，thattheyhavejumped，likeMinerva，outoftheheadofJoveincompletearmour，isaweakfancy，supportedneitherbyprecedentnorbyreason。WhateverismostancientandvenerableinourConstitution，royalprerogative，privilegesofparliament，rightsofelections，authorityofcourts，juries，musthavebeenmodelledaccordingtotheoccasion。Ispareyourpatience，andIpayacomplimenttoyourunderstanding，innotattemptingtoprovethatanythingsoelaborateandartificialasajurywasnottheworkofchance，butamatterofinstitution，broughttoitspresentstatebythejointeffortsoflegislativeauthorityandjuridicalprudence。Itneednotbeashamedofbeing（whatinmanypartsofitatleastitis）theoffspringofanActofParliament，unlessitisashameforourlawstobetheresultsofourlegislature。Juries，whichsensitivelyshrankfromtherudetouchofparliamentaryremedy，havebeenthesubjectofnotfewerthan，Ithink，forty—threeActsofParliament，inwhichtheyhavebeenchangedwithalltheauthorityofacreatoroveritscreature，fromMagnaChartatothegreatalterationswhichweremadeinthe29thofGeorgeII。
Totalkofthismatterinanyotherwayistoturnarationalprincipleintoanidleandvulgarsuperstition，liketheantiquary，Dr。Woodward，whotrembledtohavehisshieldscoured，forfearitshouldbediscoveredtobenobetterthananoldpot—lid。Thisspeciesoftendernesstoajuryputsmeinmindofagentlemanofgoodcondition，whohadbeenreducedtogreatpovertyanddistress;
applicationwasmadetosomerichfellowsinhisneighbourhoodtogivehimsomeassistance;buttheybeggedtobeexcusedforfearofaffrontingapersonofhishighbirth;andsothepoorgentlemanwaslefttostarveoutofpurerespecttotheantiquityofhisfamily。
FromthisprinciplehasrisenanopinionthatIfindcurrentamongstgentlemen，thatthisdistemperoughttobelefttocureitself;thatthejudgeshavingbeenwellexposed，andsomethingterrifiedonaccountoftheseclamours，willentirelychange，ifnotverymuchrelaxfromtheirrigour;ifthepresentraceshouldnotchange，thatthechancesofsuccessionmayputothermoreconstitutionaljudgesintheirplace;lastly，ifneithershouldhappen，yetthatthespiritofanEnglishjurywillalwaysbesufficientforthevindicationofitsownrights，andwillnotsufferitselftobeoverbornebythebench。IconfessthatItotallydissentfromalltheseopinions。Thesesuppositionsbecomethestrongestreasonswithmetoevincethenecessityofsomeclearandpositivesettlementofthisquestionofcontestedjurisdiction。Ifjudgesaresofulloflevity，sofulloftimidity，iftheyareinfluencedbysuchmeanandunworthypassions，thatapopularclamourissufficienttoshaketheresolutiontheybuilduponthesolidbasisofalegalprinciple，Iwouldendeavourtofixthatmercurybyapositivelaw。Iftopleaseanadministrationthejudgescangoonewayto—day，andtopleasethecrowdtheycangoanotherto—morrow;
iftheywilloscillatebackwardandforwardbetweenpowerandpopularity，itishightimetofixthelawinsuchamannerastoresemble，asitought，thegreatAuthorofalllaw，in\"whomthereisnovariablenessnorshadowofturning。\"
Astotheirsuccession，Ihavejustthesameopinion。Iwouldnotleaveittothechancesofpromotion，ortothecharactersoflawyers，whatthelawoftheland，whattherightsofjuries，orwhatthelibertyofthepressshouldbe。Mylawshouldnotdependuponthefluctuationofthecloset，orthecomplexionofmen。
Whetherablack—hairedmanorafair—hairedmanpresidedintheCourtofKing’sBench，Iwouldhavethelawthesame：thesamewhetherhewasbornindomoregnatrice，andsuckedfromhisinfancythemilkofcourts，orwasnurturedintheruggeddisciplineofapopularopposition。Thislawofcourtcabalandofparty，thismensquaedamnulloperturbataaffectu，thislawofcomplexion，oughtnottobeenduredforamomentinacountrywhosebeingdependsuponthecertainty，clearness，andstabilityofinstitutions。
NowIcometothelastsubstitutefortheproposedbill，thespiritofjuriesoperatingtheirownjurisdiction。This，Iconfess，I
thinktheworstofall，forthesamereasonsonwhichIobjectedtotheothers，andforotherweightyreasonsbesideswhichareseparateanddistinct。First，becausejuries，beingtakenatrandomoutofamassofmeninfinitelylarge，mustbeofcharactersasvariousasthebodytheyarisefromislargeinitsextent。Ifthejudgesdifferintheircomplexions，muchmorewillajury。Atimidjurywillgivewaytoanawfuljudgedeliveringoracularlythelaw，andchargingthemontheiroaths，andputtingithometotheirconsciences，tobewareofjudgingwherethelawhadgiventhemnocompetence。Weknowthattheywilldoso，theyhavedonesoinahundredinstances;arespectablememberofyourownhouse，novulgarman，tellsyouthatontheauthorityofajudgehefoundamanguilty，inwhom，atthesametime，hecouldfindnoguilt。Butsupposingthemfullofknowledgeandfullofmanlyconfidenceinthemselves，howwilltheirknowledge，ortheirconfidence，informorinspiritothers？Theygivenoreasonfortheirverdict，theycanbutcondemnoracquit;andnomancantellthemotivesonwhichtheyhaveacquittedorcondemned。Sothatthishopeofthepowerofjuriestoasserttheirownjurisdictionmustbeaprincipleblind，asbeingwithoutreason，andaschangeableasthecomplexionofmenandthetemperofthetimes。
But，afterall，isitfitthatthisdishonourablecontentionbetweenthecourtandjuriesshouldsubsistanylonger？Onwhatprincipleisitthatajuryrefusestobedirectedbythecourtastohiscompetence？Whetheralibelornolibelbeaquestionoflaworoffactmaybedoubted，butaquestionofjurisdictionandcompetenceiscertainlyaquestionoflaw;onthisthecourtoughtundoubtedlytojudge，andtojudgesolelyandexclusively。Iftheyjudgewrongfromexcusableerror，yououghttocorrectit，asto—dayitisproposed，byanexplanatorybill;orifbycorruption，bybillofpenaltiesdeclaratory，andbypunishment。Whatdoesajurorsaytoajudgewhenherefuseshisopinionuponaquestionofjudicature？
Youaresocorrupt，thatIshouldconsidermyselfapartakerofyourcrime，wereItobeguidedbyyouropinion;oryouaresogrosslyignorant，thatI，freshfrommybounds，frommyplough，mycounter，ormyloom，amfittodirectyouinyourprofession。Thisisanunfitting，itisadangerous，stateofthings。Thespiritofanysortofmenisnotafitrulefordecidingontheboundsoftheirjurisdiction。First，becauseitisdifferentindifferentmen，andevendifferentinthesameatdifferenttimes;andcanneverbecometheproperdirectinglineoflaw;next，becauseitisnotreason，butfeeling;andwhenonceitisirritated，itisnotapttoconfineitselfwithinitsproperlimits。Ifitbecomes，notdifferenceinopinionuponlaw，butatrialofspiritbetweenparties，ourcourtsoflawarenolongerthetempleofjustice，buttheamphitheatreforgladiators。No——Godforbid！Juriesoughttotaketheirlawfromthebenchonly;butitisourbusinessthattheyshouldhearnothingfromthebenchbutwhatisagreeabletotheprinciplesoftheConstitution。Thejuryaretohearthejudge，thejudgeistohearthelawwhereitspeaksplain;whereitdoesnot，heistohearthelegislature。AsIdonotthinktheseopinionsofthejudgestobeagreeabletothoseprinciples，Iwishtotaketheonlymethodinwhichtheycanoroughttobecorrected，bybill。
Next，myopinionis，thatitoughttoberatherbyabillforremovingcontroversiesthanbyabillinthestateofmanifestandexpressdeclaration，andinwordsdepraeterito。Idothisuponreasonsofequityandconstitutionalpolicy。Idonotwanttocensurethepresentjudges。Ithinkthemtobeexcusedfortheirerror。Ignoranceisnoexcuseforajudge：itischangingthenatureofhiscrime——itisnotabsolving。Itmustbesucherrorasawiseandconscientiousjudgemaypossiblyfallinto，andmustarisefromoneorboththesecauses：first，aplausibleprincipleoflaw;secondly，theprecedentsofrespectableauthorities，andingoodtimes。Inthefirst，theprincipleoflaw，thatthejudgeistodecideonlaw，thejurytodecideonfact，isanancientandvenerableprincipleandmaximofthelaw，andifsupportedinthisapplicationbyprecedentsofgoodtimesandofgoodmen，thejudge，ifwrong，oughttobecorrected;heoughtnottobereproved，ortobedisgraced，ortheauthorityorrespecttoyourtribunalstobeimpaired。Incasesinwhichdeclaratorybillshavebeenmade，wherebyviolenceandcorruptionsomefundamentalpartoftheConstitutionhasbeenstruckat;wheretheywoulddamntheprinciple，censurethepersons，andannultheacts;butwherethelawhavingbeen，bytheaccidentofhumanfrailty，depraved，orinaparticularinstancemisunderstood，whereyouneithermeantorescindtheacts，nortocensurethepersons，insuchcasesyouhavetakentheexplanatorymode，and，withoutcondemningwhatisdone，youdirectthefuturejudgmentofthecourt。
Allbillsforthereformationofthelawmustbeaccordingtothesubject—matter，thecircumstances，andtheoccasion，andareoffourkinds：—1。Eitherthelawistotallywanting，andthenanewenactingstatutemustbemadetosupplythatwant;or，2。Itisdefective，thenanewlawmustbemadetoenforceit。3。Oritisopposedbypowerorfraud，andthenanactmustbemadetodeclareit。4Oritisrendereddoubtfulandcontroverted，andthenalawmustbemadetoexplainit。Thesemustbeappliedaccordingtotheexigenceofthecase;oneisjustasgoodasanotherofthem。
Miserable，indeed，wouldbetheresources，poorandunfurnishedthestoresandmagazinesoflegislation，ifwewerebounduptoalittlenarrowform，andnotabletoframeouractsofparliamentaccordingtoeverydispositionofourownminds，andtoeverypossibleemergencyofthecommonwealth;tomakethemdeclaratory，enforcing，explanatory，repealing，justinwhatmode，orinwhatdegreeweplease。
Thosewhothinkthatthejudges，livinganddead，aretobecondemned，thatyourtribunalsofjusticearetobedishonoured，thattheiractsandjudgmentsonthisbusinessaretoberescinded，theywillundoubtedlyvoteagainstthisbill，andforanothersort。
Iamnotoftheopinionofthosegentlemenwhoareagainstdisturbingthepublicrepose;Ilikeaclamourwheneverthereisanabuse。Thefire—bellatmidnightdisturbsyoursleep，butitkeepsyoufrombeingburnedinyourbed。Thehueandcryalarmsthecounty，butitpreservesallthepropertyoftheprovince。Alltheseclamoursaimatredress。Butaclamourmademerelyforthepurposeofrenderingthepeoplediscontentedwiththeirsituation，withoutanendeavourtogivethemapracticalremedy，isindeedoneoftheworstactsofsedition。
Ihavereadandheardmuchupontheconductofourcourtsinthebusinessoflibels。Iwasextremelywillingtoenterinto，andveryfreetoactasfactsshouldturnoutonthatinquiry，aimingconstantlyatremedyastheendofallclamour，alldebate，allwriting，andallinquiry;forwhichreasonIdidembrace，anddonowwithjoy，thismethodofgivingquiettothecourts，jurisdictiontojuries，libertytothepress，andsatisfactiontothepeople。I
thankmyfriendsforwhattheyhavedone;Ihopethepublicwillonedayreapthebenefitoftheirpiousandjudiciousendeavours。Theyhavenowsowntheseed;Ihopetheywilllivetoseetheflourishingharvest。Theirbillissowninweakness;itwill，Itrust，bereapedinpower;andthen，however，weshallhavereasontoapplytothemwhatmyLordCokesayswasanaphorismcontinuallyinthemouthofagreatsageofthelaw，\"Blessedbenotthecomplainingtongue，butblessedbetheamendinghand。\"
SPEECHONABILLFORSHORTENINGTHEDURATIONOFPARLIAMENTS
Itisalwaystobelamentedwhenmenaredriventosearchintothefoundationsofthecommonwealth。Itiscertainlynecessarytoresorttothetheoryofyourgovernmentwheneveryouproposeanyalterationintheframeofit，whetherthatalterationmeanstherevivalofsomeformerantiquatedandforsakenconstitutionofstate，ortheintroductionofsomenewimprovementinthecommonwealth。Theobjectofourdeliberationis，topromotethegoodpurposesforwhichelectionshavebeeninstituted，andtopreventtheirinconveniences。Ifwethoughtfrequentelectionsattendedwithnoinconvenience，orwithbutatriflinginconvenience，thestrongoverrulingprincipleoftheConstitutionwouldsweepuslikeatorrenttowardsthem。Butyourremedyistobesuitedtoyourdisease——yourpresentdisease，andtoyourwholedisease。Thatmanthinksmuchtoohighly，andthereforehethinksweaklyanddelusively，ofanycontrivanceofhumanwisdom，whobelievesthatitcanmakeanysortofapproachtoperfection。Thereisnot，thereneverwas，aprincipleofgovernmentunderheaven，thatdoesnot，intheverypursuitofthegooditproposes，naturallyandinevitablyleadintosomeinconvenience，whichmakesitabsolutelynecessarytocounterworkandweakentheapplicationofthatfirstprincipleitself;andtoabandonsomethingoftheextentoftheadvantageyouproposedbyit，inordertopreventalsotheinconvenienceswhichhavearisenfromtheinstrumentofallthegoodyouhadinview。
Togovernaccordingtothesenseandagreeablytotheinterestsofthepeopleisagreatandgloriousobjectofgovernment。Thisobjectcannotbeobtainedbutthroughthemediumofpopularelection，andpopularelectionisamightyevil。Itissuch，andsogreatanevil，thatthoughtherearefewnationswhosemonarchswerenotoriginallyelective，veryfewarenowelected。Theyarethedistempersofelections，thathavedestroyedallfreestates。Tocurethesedistempersisdifficult，ifnotimpossible;theonlythingthereforelefttosavethecommonwealthistopreventtheirreturntoofrequently。Theobjectsinvieware，tohaveparliamentsasfrequentastheycanbewithoutdistractingthemintheprosecutionofpublicbusiness;ononehand，tosecuretheirdependenceuponthepeople，ontheothertogivethemthatquietintheirminds，andthateaseintheirfortunes，astoenablethemtoperformthemostarduousandmostpainfuldutyintheworldwithspirit，withefficiency，withindependency，andwithexperience，asrealpubliccounsellors，notasthecanvassersataperpetualelection。Itiswisetocompassasmanygoodendsaspossiblyyoucan，andseeingthereareinconveniencesonbothsides，withbenefitsonboth，togiveupapartofthebenefittosoftentheinconvenience。Theperfectcureisimpracticable，becausethedisorderisdeartothosefromwhomalonethecurecanpossiblybederived。Theutmosttobedoneistopalliate，tomitigate，torespite，toputofftheevildayoftheConstitutiontoitslatestpossiblehour，andmayitbeaverylateone！
Thisbill，Ifear，wouldprecipitateoneoftwoconsequences，Iknownotwhichmostlikely，orwhichmostdangerous：eitherthattheCrownbyitsconstantstatedpower，influence，andrevenue，wouldwearoutalloppositioninelections，orthataviolentandfuriouspopularspiritwouldarise。Imustsee，tosatisfyme，theremedies;Imustsee，fromtheiroperationinthecureoftheoldevil，andinthecureofthosenewevils，whichareinseparablefromallremedies，howtheybalanceeachother，andwhatisthetotalresult。Theexcellenceofmathematicsandmetaphysicsistohavebutonethingbeforeyou，butheformsthebestjudgmentinallmoraldisquisitions，whohasthegreatestnumberandvarietyofconsiderations，inoneviewbeforehim，andcantaketheminwiththebestpossibleconsiderationofthemiddleresultsofall。
Weoftheopposition，whoarenotfriendstothebill，givethispledgeatleastofourintegrityandsinceritytothepeople，thatinoursituationofsystematicoppositiontothepresentministers，inwhichallourhopeofrenderingiteffectualdependsuponpopularinterestandfavour，wewillnotflatterthembyasurrenderofouruninfluencedjudgmentandopinion;wegiveasecurity，thatifeverweshouldbeinanothersituation，noflatterytoanyothersortofpowerandinfluencewouldinduceustoactagainstthetrueinterestsofthepeople。
Allareagreedthatparliamentsshouldnotbeperpetual;theonlyquestionis，whatisthemostconvenienttimefortheirduration？
Onwhichtherearethreeopinions。Weareagreed，too，thatthetermoughtnottobechosenmostlikelyinitsoperationtospreadcorruption，andtoaugmentthealreadyovergrowninfluenceofthecrown。OntheseprinciplesImeantodebatethequestion。Itiseasytopretendazealforliberty。Thosewhothinkthemselvesnotlikelytobeencumberedwiththeperformanceoftheirpromises，eitherfromtheirknowninability，ortotalindifferenceabouttheperformance，neverfailtoentertainthemostloftyideas。Theyarecertainlythemostspecious，andtheycostthemneitherreflectiontoframe，norpainstomodify，normanagementtosupport。Thetaskisofanothernaturetothosewhomeantopromisenothingthatitisnotintheirintentions，ormaypossiblybeintheirpowertoperform;tothosewhoareboundandprinciplednomoretodeludetheunderstandingsthantoviolatethelibertyoftheirfellow—subjects。