Page:Letters of Junius, volume 2 (Woodfall, 1772).djvu/270

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260
LETTERS OF

publishing the poll upon a former occasion; and I know, in general, that he has distinguished himself, by slighting and thwarting all those public measures which you have engaged in with the greatest warmth, and hitherto thought most worthy of your approbation.—From his past conduct, what conclusion will you draw but that he will act the same part as Lord Mayor, which he has invariably acted as Alderman and Sheriff? He cannot alter his conduct without confessing that he never acted upon principle of any kind.—I should be sorry to injure the character of a man, who, perhaps, may be honest in his intentions, by supposing it possible that he can ever concur with you in any political measure or opinion.

If, on the other hand, you mean to persevere in those resolutions for the public good, which, though not always successful, are always honourable, your choice will naturally incline to those men who (whatever they be in other respects,) are most likely to co-operate with you in the great purpose which you are determined not to relinquish:—The question is not of what metal your