Year: 1868

There is one feature of the German


Constitution which is worthy of the at


tention of all Governments having demo-
cratic institutions the Parliament of the


North German Confederation has but 297
deputies In the United States, the num-


Der of Representatives is still smaller, and


Legislators have taken great care that that


number should not augment in proportion


to the increase of population. This meas


ure is founded upon thorough knowledge
and experience of the conditions under


which an Assembly has the best chance
of creditably and effectually accomplishing
its duties. In very large gathering of
men, a man of great eminence and talents
is under disadvantage, and will not be
listened to with patience if his voice is


not powerful; while an orator naturally
endowed with stentorian voice and Wig
orous lungs, may deliver at full length a
commonplace discourse thereby establish
ing the superiority of physical strength
over intellectual power. a numerous as
sembly always has the instincts of a
crowded multitude, and is liable to impul-
sive and sudden impressions. The language
of passion-sometimes generous and pure,
sometimes disorderly and blind-has more
effect upon them, and they sooner arrive
at extreme conclusions, each impulse be-
ing enhanced in direct ratio to the number
of those who share it. Pathetic and
flowery speeches move the soul and prema-
turely carry conviction with them, while
simple, common sense, cold and sedate
reason, exercises but moderate authority
Doubtless there are moments when enthu-
siasm is to be awakened, and heroism
aroused, because great things are only ac-
complished by strong passions, but this
must be done, in proper season, through
the press, and mass meetings, and not
by sovereign assemblies, because, though
sometimes obtained through enthusiasm,
Liberty is practiced and preserved, only
through dispassionate wisdom.


In France, it has often been thought
that the interests of the people would be
better promoted by large Assembly, and
those of despotism by small one. This
is an error; and in the most democratic
country we know of, they have always
thought the very reverse. At the time
of election in America, the people enjoy
the most unbounded right of voting; but
when the election is over, the representa-
tives are under such restraint as enables
them to listen to the voice of reason.
This is one of the causes why the Amer
ican Congress-although partly composed
of passionate men, and notwithstanding
the violent scenes by which it is sometimes
troubled generally adopts wise measures,
and arrives, after the most stormy debates,
at transactions suggestive of true spirit
Of moderation. But if, in an assembly of
900 members, question is raised likely
to excite the passions of parties, the
explosion of wrathful interpretations,
the laundering noise of discussions, are
sure to prevent mutual understanding,
and to stop the whole parliamentary sys-
TEN. Let the people reign in the Consitia,
but let the voice of reason be heard in
Parliament. 1t is certainly desirable that
all shades of opinion be represented in
Parliament, and that they may have
chance of showing themselves in the broad
daylight of public discussion, so that all
the ideas fermenting in the country be
known and discussed but party, and the
nation itself, will be more benefited if
every opinion can be expressed and advo-
Gated by those who can do it the most
ably and efficiently, instead of being sup
ported by a crowd of undisciplined, impa-
tient and boisterous orators. In short, |
the prompt transaction of business, the
triumph of the language of common sense
over that of passion, the good order and |
discipline of the Assembly, and the in
terests of the nation-all these considera- |
tions make it law that the number of
Representatives should be very limited, |
the increased number of
electors, in all countries where the parlia-
mentary system has been established on a
democratic basis.


".


What are the parties now contending in |
the North German Confederation Par
ties spring from certain political situa-
ton, and last as long as that situation is
unaltered, but when it is modified, the
parties dissolve themselves to assume new !
forms, in harmony with new principles. |
An illustration of this we have witnessed |
in Germany. As long as the King of
Prussia would not recognize the constitu-
tional right of the Assembly to vote the
military budget, the opposition party was