The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-12-18

SUNDAY MoRNiNe, DEC. Is. 1858.


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Dieting uishca Arrivals.
Hon John Mcpherson BeSrien, OF Georgia. and Hon,
NJ D. Papy attorney ssasta Of Florida. have arrived.
and taken lodgiugs Al WiIlaId's
Both these gentlemen are here to Argue an important
case in the Sppsns Court Of the United States.
Hon. Benjamin Fitzpatrick has reached this city. and
taken lodgings Al Gssshy's Ho'el.
cThe sanctity or the Ballot system"
The proposition made in the Senate BY General Dodge.
OF Iowa. to abolish The ballot system OF voting in that
body, involves great democratic principle. which il not
the less important because the necessity for is vndca
ton has been suggested by tbs character al recent pro-
ceedng in the Senate. -four recollection serves
ecy, the necessity for abolishing the ballot system
the House OF Representatives suggested BY similar
proceeding that body and that the reform
then consumma,ed has met the approval OF the people
Without combining remarks to the special which
given rise to the proposition Of General Dodge.
propose to examine briefly tho principle on which il
rests
In the eighteenth century instituted the practice
Of the baot-box protection 10 the citizen AT that
time TO the aimed strength oil hostile garrison in
midst and to the prestige Of foreign name, added
among large class OF our population auxiliary
Witty and patient fear which il required all the power
OF Jefferson and his brother democratic chiefs 10 dsps
To utterly aud forever from the citizen, and not
from the bodies responsible 10 the citizen all apprehension
OF intimidation, all fear oil the consequences Of exer-
csing his legitimate and natural RICH. Of governing him
self, and Of compelling delegates. senator's
and Presidents TO act in full accord with bis interests
and his views the institution Of the ballot became the
law Of the country for prinary elections This hold
to be the just and proper view Of the matter Il
,ainly intended by the democrats either Of
Monticello Of the Hermitage tina, public body. rep
resenatye of thirty States, should shrink and cover
from the responsibility to ito constituents behind
the erected for the protection Of tho4s consitu
ents The delegated authority OF the public servant
needs il he be faithful steward SCREEN no secrecy
irresponsible authority 10 unknown 10 American insti
tutone and is foreign to the soul and to the aspirations
OF the American people No genius less brilliant less
mistaken than that of Alexander Hamilton could have
succeeded in migrating upon the democratic strength
Of the young republic practices OF closed doors OF
alliances OF elements dscordaol and hostile that in the
light Of noon day they would crumbls to POWDER and
voting effect objects they dare not exhibit the
people, and emble TO than whisper their friends
But Hamltons genius framed in the mould OF the
Roman Senate and in the hypocllioal policy which has
guided the councils OF the srsoency OF Eugand There
secrecy in senatorial debate had the of necessy
ruling class OF parcians in the one. and OF noblemen
aud gentlemen in the Other guided the heads and made
the laws aud spen, The money and the blood Of. the
Masses" who were supposed to be 100 ignorant. too
incompetent and too lazy to look after the legerdeman
which assumed the control OF their actions and OF their
country Hence. find it doubtful in history whether
Cicero did utter oraous against Catalne in the Senate.
L.. for IL
them in convenisn, Congressional Globe Hence, TOO
we find that when the interests OF modern Europe are al
stake upon single hatile the great Englsh people are
informed that secrecy essential 10 the interests OF the
public governmeni-.bsr, in the words OF Lord Palmer.
s,on III the information asked for refer 10 any question
pending or 10 come, it would be evidently impolic and
embarrassing 10 give it il to anything past. it's prodae
lion could no, alter facts. and would only revive dsa-
groeable discussions"
Ii seemed impossible our grea, democratic Statesmen
to imagine that the American people could sink 10 the
level OF the Roman popuace. degenerate back again
the state OF ,hs masses OF Great Britain. But il il b.
impossible degrade nation of freemen tack to
Witty. il certainly has been impossible to prevent
public bodies assuming irresponsible authority and act.
ing collectively. rather with view 10 IMMUNITY ia
schemes personally ambitious, than with that u caudor
and large disn,eressdness Which should xctuate m
American Senate towards those 10 whom they
sponsible There few cool democrats now -a-dsys
who even in primary elections, 70 hide under the
sancy OF the ballot, which made for thew protec
,ion and theirs only the objects OF their choice and
their esteem. The msgiving and the uerdAicu. from
which the balo, originally intended to relieve The
humble citizen OF three generations ago. has long since
disappeared from the American mind. These unmany
and uncivic attributes the strength Of the tory
party, and subsequently, by natural Law Of affinity
fell to the share of the fedeass and the wings Secret
caucusing-ihs injury which combination OF needy or
Jealous politicians can, behind closed doors, do to
brave and candid aniaxons,hss long since been real
lied BY the politicians OF England, and was not unsus
peeled BY our great democratic leaders General Jack
son oug hi against with aoerbty and force which
could only grow GU, Of bis grea, and manly attributes
II has even been proposed by democrats in the Senate
10 hold executive session with open doors. to prevent
The facious or hostile from sabSinx behind muhie,
or escaping under cry OF "voe by ballot, from the
sponabiy OF performing the acts Tor which hey were
elected The Practice, taken from the English Para-
meu and mgr aed on institutions by the influence of
the ars,ocras OF Hamltons day, has however prevail
al and though the upper chamber OF the British PAT
lament has never dared give judgment on an ndlvd
ua or decide upon the interests reputation OF m Ind
vdual in sccre,-a irresponsible and non-escuve as
thai hdv isws vet fad uoder the combination of the