Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-01-04

found within It's walls, this is mainly
due to that ari>toeratie sentiment
which makes the Younger mcmherS OF
noble families the tavoritc candidates
WlthmanN constituencies.
There are other CONSEQUENCES which
ii Viii be sufficient simply u enumer-
ate The existence of n powerful, in
dependent, and connected class, marry
ing with il i dignity, and III many re-
SpectS m influence, fully equal TO that
OF the servants Of the crown, has moro
than once proved tho most formidable
obstacle to the entertainments Of dcs-
potism; while, ON the other hand, in
democratic times, the hierarchy Of
ranks serves to mitigate the isolation of
the throne, and is thus powerful bull
wark to monarchy 4 second cham
Der is So essential to the healthy work
ing Of constitutional government, that
II may almost bC pronounced political
necessity; and IL times when the posi-
ton Of that chamber Is Il secondary
one, when its leading functions arc
merely 70 delay and to revise, It is no
small advantage that it should he COM
posed Of men possessing, indeed, great
local knowledge and influence, hit III
the same time independent Of Local in
trlgucs and jcalousies and Of the tram
sicnt bursts of popular passion. 4 per
mancnt hereditary chamber has ut least
4 tendency 60 impart to national policy
that character of continuity and sta
blIlty, and To infuSe into its discussions
the judicial spirit which il is most diff
cult to preserve amid the rapid iluctu-
ationS and the keen contests of popu
lar government 1t may even verv
materially contribute TO make legisM.
ton Il reflex of the popular will No
matter how perfect may be the system
of election, IN elected body can never
represent with complete fidelity the po-
lltical sentiments Of the community
In particular constituencies purely local
and personal considerations continually
falsely tho political verdict In the coun-
try at large u general election usually
turns On II single great party issue or
on the comparative popularity of rival
statesmen and hardly Il year passes in
which The politicians III whom, OH the
whole, the county has most confidence
do not act OH some particular question
in 4 manner opposed to the national
sentiment. If the question is II sub
ordinate ono, this divergence does not
make the country desire II change of
ministry; and it is extremely difficult
under the system of party government
to enforce by any less violent means the
national will. Under these circum-
stances, a body such rs the house of
lords, exempt from thc necessity Of pop
ular election representing at the same
time most Of the forms Of public opin-
ion, and exercising iii the constitution
4 lJnd of revising, judicial, and molcr,
ating office, is Of great utility; it is able
to arrest or retard IL particular course OF
policy, without producing ministerial
crisis and it may thus be said without
u paradox, to contribute to the repre-
sentative character of the government.
Besides this, the pecragc enable the
country to avail itself of the talents OF
statesmen Of ability and experience,
who are physically incapable of cnduI-
ing the fatigue inseparablc from the DO
sition of Il minister in the lower house,
it forms cheap yet highly-prizcd re-
ward for great service To the nation or
crown; and it exercises in some re-
spects Il considerable refining influence
upon the manners of society by coun-
teracting the empire Of mere wealth
and sustaining that order Of feeling.
and sentiments which constitutes the
conception of gentleman. Nor should
we altogether disregard its minor use in
settling doubtful questions of precc-
dence, and making out the natural
leaders for many movements. which
would otherwise be weakened ~ cor
illcting claims, and by personal jcal.
ouSies