CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION-ELECTIVE FRANCHISE-QUALIFICATIONS OF AN ELECTOR-OF A REPRESENTATIVETHE BRITISH PARLIAMENT. THE Franchise we regard as a machine imperfect, and unscientific, if you will-for the attainment of a twofold purpose; first, for the selection of 658 reasonably competent legislators; secondly, for securing that the aggregate of these 658 chosen men shall fairly and in 66 66 Ꭼ Ꭱ Ꭱ Ꭺ Ꭲ Ꭺ . Page 20, line 27, for "and earthly, by honour," read and earthly honour." Page 177, line 14, for "mixed," read "unmixed." Page 179, lines 16, 17, and 26, for “1842,” read “1848.” Page 179, line 16, for "the multitude; so by," read 'the multitude; by." so many strangers and persons in a servile condition; but the fact remained, and those on whom power was then conferred retained it. An elector should be intelligent, and possess some B knowledge of political economy. Hitherto this matter has not been sufficiently attended to by the rulers of nations recognising the elective franchise. The importance of this qualification in an elector is well set forth by a distinguished foreigner in the following letter: - "I have endeavoured on all occasions to disprove the notion, that the labouring classes are unfit depositaries of political power. I owe it, however, to truth to say, that I believe the elective franchise is extended too far in this country. No man, I think, should be entrusted with this high privilege, who has not been instructed in the principles of our Government, and in the duties of a good citizen, and who cannot afford evidence of respectability. One of the principal objects of our public schools should be to train up the young of all conditions for the duties of good citizens; to furnish them with the necessary knowledge of principles for the judicious use of political power; the admission of the young to the privilege of voting should be the most solemn public act-the grand national festival: it should be preceded by an examination of the candidate; it should be accompanied by the most imposing forms fitted to impress the young and the whole community with the great responsibility and accountableness of this trust. "None of us seem adequately to understand, that, to confer the elective franchise, is to admit a man to a participation of the sovereignty of the supreme power. The levity with which this dignity is conferred, the thoughtlessness with which it had been extended, constitutes one of the great political dangers. Were the proper qualifications for it required, they would not exclude one class rather than another. The aim should be to exclude the unworthy of all classes. A community is bound to provide for itself the best possible form of Government, and this implies the obligation to withhold political power from those who are disqualified, by gross ignorance or by profligacy, for comprehending or consulting the general welfare-who cannot exercise the sovereignty without injuring the commonwealth. "I am fully aware of the obstacles which the violence of party spirit would throw in the way of the system now proposed, and I cannot but fear that the inconsiderateness with which the highest political power has been squandered in this country has gone too far for remedy; still it is useful to hold up to a people what it owes to itself. At least these remarks will prevent my fellow-citizens from considering me as an advocate for universal suffrage in the present state of society. I think, however, that a system of education should be established in a republic, for the purpose of making suffrage universal-that is, for the purpose of qualifying every man to be a voter; but in the case of those who will not avail themselves of the natural means of improvement, political power should be withheld."-Memoirs of Dr. Channing, p. 258, Vol. III. Parliament should ordain that lessons on political economy would be given in the National Schools, after the manner in which the young are instructed in grammar, geography, &c. Piety is an essential qualification to an elector. The |