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meaſures, is one of thoſe ſalutary counterpoiſes which our conſtitution affords againſt the weight of the Executive Power. The Oppoſition in Britain is a ſort of public body, which, in the practice at leaſt of our government, is perfectly known and eſtabliſhed. The province of this ex-official body, when it acts in a manner ſalutary to the ſtate, is to watch with jealouſy over the conduct of adminiſtration; to correct the abuſes, and to reſiſt the corruptions of its power; to reſtrain whatever may be exceſſive, to moderate what may be inconſiderate, and to ſupply what may be defective in its meaſures."
Such, I agree with that author, are the iegitimate and reſpectable functions of Oppoſition, conſidered as a practical branch of the conſtitution of Great Britain: ſuch powers, and ſuch jealouſy, it is hoped they will always exerciſe and entertain.
The moſt degrading corruption of a ſtateſman, or his friends, is indeed, by the influence of money; but public men may be corrupted by the love of power, as well as by luſt of gain; may be bribed by means of their pride, their obſtinacy, or their
