Polynesian., 1862-12-13

Our Philadelphia correspondent, (who Is we'll
known to the readers of the Bulletin as the K. l..
NJ. c." of letters from Europe,) thus writes from
Philadelphia, Both September, TO friend in this
city:
| notice your remarks about and
against " universal suffrage" and am compelled
to some extent TO agree with you. L say " CON-
pelled," because all have species of prejudice
against any law or form copied, however dmly,
from European systems of government, and especi-
ally from their system of rating. Still, 1t cannot
be denied our system of allowing every ragamufhn
to vote has produced class of politicians as dis
solute as they active and reckless in their call
ing, and as ungodly as they are dangerous to the
public good Indeed, the most part of them who
fill offices (and there is scarcely office that
is not filled by poltician) are men of the lowest
educational requirements, and of the most debased
mOrals-men who have no religion, country or God,
except an office. In fact, they are enough to en-
gulf any gOvernment-any people; enough to pro-
duce anarchy, civil and universal chaos. Still.
the question of universal suffrage remains dltfi
cult problem to solve. We see and acknowledge
its errors and tendencies, yet cannot see how
we are to make any radical change. Certain it is,
it never can be done through the ballot And
this is the aber of destinies, and this is
controlled by the majority, and a large portion
of the majority the very ones we wish to ex
cude from the privilege of vOting-of course, this
majority would go against any such limitation Of
their citizen prerogatives.
The questions suggested by a change in our po-
litical system, in regard to voting, complex,
and involve such vast perils and interests that
do not care to push them to an issue. What shall
be the voters qualification? So much education
Hardly possible requisite. So much morality !?
Simply premium for hypocrisy. So much prop
erty? A doubtful certificate for good citizenship,
as the elections in England fully show. Men of
quite corrupt, and dlt0ays thirst much for Of
fee as the ignorant immoral, poor man. But shall
drunken oafer, without a sou in his pocket, or
care for or interest in the government, have the
same political power and right at the source of all
our power (the ballot-box) the truly respectable
and wealthy citizen, who has his all staked in the
government NO-a thousand times No And
yet, how alter the system? By revolution? with
| an even chance of rushing into dangers more fatal
to our well being than those we now suffer under !?
In my opinion-humble though it be-the grand
error in our Constitution is the electing of Presi
dent for four years. and the clothing of him with
more than Imperial powers. | believe he should
be elected by the Senate and House of Represen-
tatives, for one year only, and simply execu-
tive officer, shorn of all power of appointing any
officers under the government, his own Cabi-
net. And he should be ineligible to a second term.
This would strike fatal blow to the cOrruptions,
not to say dangers, growing out of our Presiden-
tial elections. Nothing would remain of it, but
its honOrs, and these would be enough fight over.
This IS nearly the system adopted by the Swiss
Confederation. The Senate should be the only
appointing power, and no man should be appointed
to office until his abilities and fitness for the office
he soiicits had been thoroughly established and
when once in office, he should be retained there
for long period, or during good behavior. No
man belonging to one State should be appointed to
an Office in that State. A constant interchange of
men from State to another would serve to ma ke
us better acquainted and, consequently, more united
and more patriotic.
But need not speculate or suggest what think
ought to be. One thing, however, is certain. All
governments are mutable, and like the race from
which they spring, must sooner later die. 1t
matters little how pure, or good, or exalted, pow
erfu nation may be, it must die. And on its
grave another nation nations will rise and these,
in turn must go out and give place to still other
nations and people-and on forever. The law
of change of life and death-is as unbending to
States and nations, as to indivduaIs-neither can
escape it's DEGREES. This Almighty law pervades
our globe and the universe. The most enchanting
and remotest star, bosomed in the remotest realm
of space, is more secure from its power than is
that
"Wandering of shapeless fame,
painless comet ard a curse,
The menace of the universe"
1t is poor rconsoation-still it is consolation
to feel and know that national dangers, evils
and sins have been borne by other nations, though,
perhaps, not in the same forms, and that our de-
structlon would be but following in the path of
other great nations which have gone before us
nations which have sunk into oblivion so complete
| that only their names have come down to us.
Nations depart,
Possessions vanish and opinions change,
And passions hold fuctuating
Thou, Thou alone,
Art changeess and everlasting!"
IS. F. Bulletin.
2 The evidence of the antinuitY of man afforded