The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1864-11-30

the army, and allayed opposition by the
wisdom OF his craftsmanship or whether
he chiefly ruled by armed fanaticism. But
| it may be asserted without hesitation that
there is not an Englishman nor American,
substantially acquainted with elections
! whose Judgment on this subject could be
influenced in any degree, one way or the
other. were informed that Cromwell had re-
ceved an overwhelming majority OF voIes
all over England, confirming him in his ab-
solutism, alter be had passed his famous
acl OF 1856, by which he divided The British
Territory into Twelve districts, each presided
over by a Major General, with absolute
power over the inhabitants, all existing
laws 10 The contrary notwithstanding. There
is not an American or Englishman, ! think
who believes that such conirontory vote
could have added TO his right, or that, had
such an edvent taken place, il could have
kept Cromwell on the protectoral throne,
or retarded the return OF Charles the Second
single day And the larger the majority
for Cromwell should have been, the more
activity exered by The Major Generals in
deed, both in pressing aud comprising,
bui no one OF us would connect it IN any
way with presumed popularity of Crom-
well, or consider il an index OF the opin-
lou which the people al large entertained OF
al HE repeated making and unmaking Par
lIments.
real or pretended result of such eI poS
tncto votes may have a certain proclaim atory
value ii may be convenient TO point TO II
and decline all farther discussion. The
Peoples Elect" may be welcome formu-
la for ribboneG orators, expectant poets, or
adaptive editors but there is no intrinsic
value in IL. Votes OF this sort Esve no
meaning for the historian, al least so far as
the subject voted on is concerned and they
have melancholy meaning tor the cotem-
porary patriot. There seems TO be Meme
sis eagerly watching these votes, and each
time TO prove, by events succeeding shortly
alter, how hollow they were al the time.
An election which takes place 10 pass
Judgment OIL a series Of acts of a person, or
TO decide on The adoption or rejection OF a
fundamental law, can have no value what
ever if The following conditions are not full
filled:
The question must have been fairly be-
fore the people Tor period sufficiently long
10 discuss the matter thoroughly, and un-
der circumstances 10 allow Tree disc uss
ion. Neither the police restrictions OF gov
eminent, nor the notorious procedures of
mobs, nor the tyranny OF associations ought
TO prevent the formation Of a we'll siited and
duly modified average public opinion The
liberty OF the press, therefore: is conditio
sine qua non If this be not the case,a mere
general opinion of the moment, panic on
the one hand, or maddeaed gratitude, for
a real or imaginary benefit, oil a multitude
excited TOR the day or period, may hastily
and unrig ghteousy settle the fate OF genera
tions 10 come, and passion, fear, or vain
glory may decide that which ought 10 be
settled by the largest and freesl exchange
o: opinions and the broadest reciprocal
modification of interests. 1t requires time
for a great subject 10 present itself in 3 II the
aspects in which ii ought 10 be viewed and
examined, and i; requires time Tor a great
public opinion 10 form itself-the more time
the vaster the subject. All the laws regula
tirg the formation OF opinion in the indivin-
nal apply with greater force 10 the lorna
ton Of public opinion.
It is especially necessary that the army
be in allegiance, as it were, with reference
10 all sn5jecrs and movements apPertaining
TO the question al issue. The English law
requires the removal of The garrison from
every place where a common election Tor
Pariment is going on. Much more neces-
sary is the total neutrality o! the army in
an election OF The sort of which we now
treat"
We are in no humor 10 complain of what
has taken place, nor would complaint, it
made, be of any avail to undo what has
been done. All that remains TO that great
party which fought so gallant fight al the
polls fer constitutional liberty and for the
Union, is 10 adhere TO their principles, TO
support the Administration cheerfully in all
lawful and prudent measures aud TO main
tain to The last respectful, but firm oppo-
silion 10 Executive usurpation.
BRAISs-An American sloop OF war had
put into an English port, aud the first lieut.
went ashore 10 reconoitTe. In the course
of his travels he encountered tavern where