Parliament cannot with any great propriety
punish others for things in which they themselves have been
accomplices. Thus the control of Parliament upon the executory
power is lost; because Parliament is made to partake in every
considerable act of Government. IMPEACHMENT, THAT GREAT GUARDIAN OF
THE PURITY OF THE CONSTITUTION, IS IN DANGER OF BEING LOST, EVEN TO
THE IDEA OF IT.
By this plan several important ends are answered to the Cabal. If
the authority of Parliament supports itself, the credit of every act
of Government, which they contrive, is saved; but if the act be so
very odious that the whole strength of Parliament is insufficient to
recommend it, then Parliament is itself discredited; and this
discredit increases more and more that indifference to the
constitution, which it is the constant aim of its enemies, by their
abuse of Parliamentary powers, to render general among the people.
Whenever Parliament is persuaded to assume the offices of executive
Government, it will lose all the confidence, love, and veneration
which it has ever enjoyed, whilst it was supposed the CORRECTIVE and
CONTROL of the acting powers of the State.
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