Page:A Declaration of the People's Natural Right to a Share in the Legislature (1775) (IA declarationofpeo00shar).djvu/164

 what great consultation, deliberation, and knowledge of things,” &c. &c. &c.

If it had been possible for the Irish Subjects to have given up to Serjeant Mayart this contested point concerning the necessity of a due Representation in the Legislature, without giving up, at the same time, all due Limitation of Government, and consequently all pretensions to their natural Freedom, this advice of his might have been esteemed excusable!

But it is Representation alone which forms the Basis, the superiority, and the essential difference, of the English Constitution of State, from all others! For, in countries where this is wanting, or where it is become totally corrupted, it makes but little difference, to the bulk of the people, whether the executive part of the government be in the hands of one, of a few, or of many; viz. of an Emperor,