Comstockian prudishness

a wicked liver may be reclaimed, and prove an honest man[…].

As a political system democracy seems to me extraordinarily foolish, but I would not go out of my way to protest against it. My servant is, so far as I am concerned, welcome to as many votes as he can get. I would very gladly make mine over to him if I could.

Is it me or is it really stuffy in here?