Page:Thomas Hare - The Election of Representatives, parliamentary and municipal.djvu/121

 China would not have been entered upon with equal readiness, applauded with equal vehemence, and probably prolonged even more vindictively and more fiercely, if it had been left to a ballot of such electoral districts. It is said that this would not be so, for the poorer classes are those from which our soldiers and sailors are taken,—it is they who suffer in the conflict, and it is they who are still more empovrished by the prostration of industry which attends it. It is, indeed, true that they are the victims; but to suppose that, therefore, their passions will be restrained, that they will learn forbearance, that they will resist the specious arguments of men who know how to make the worse appear the better cause, that they will foresee the retroactive efforts of extravagant expenditure, the exhaustion which is to succeed unprofitable effort, the economical consequences which follow a vast outlay in destruction—is to suppose that the majorities have suddenly risen to the height of this great argument, and have become temperate, moderate, and wise. That such a consummation is the wish and hope of some who desire to place all political power in the hands of the greater number is not to be doubted; but is the expectation reasonable—is there the shadow of a hope of its realisation ? Are the numerical majorities which govern the United States remarkable for their concern at the horrors of war,—for their solicitude to avoid national quarrels,—for their anxiety to preserve peace,—for their forbearance towards other countries,—for their respect of the claims of weaker neighbours,—for their tenderness of all aggression?