The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 67

[introduction]

"We hare discovered that this boasted constitution, in the most boasted part of it, is a gross imposition upon the understanding of mankind, an insult to their feelings, and acting by contrivances destructive to the best and most valuable interests of the people."

These words of Edmund Burke, uttered just a century ago, are as true to-day regarding our system of representation in this colony as they were when applied by the great statesman to a condition of things connected with the British Parliament, which has been since reformed as a necessity, though but imperfectly, i.e., the withholding of voting power from the bulk of the people.

The "most boasted part" of our constitution is that, undoubtedly, which bestows the suffrage upon the whole manhood of the country, and by ballot causes the representation of the people to be obtained by the vote of the majority, which majority, it is as a first principle laid down, must rule as the only true exposition attainable of the will of the people.

If an approach to perfection in this supposed acme of democratic government is obtainable under the electoral system in vogue, how comes it that a "roar" of discontent has gone up from such considerable sections of the voters in different parts of the colony against the results of the late general election? Some of the ablest, most honest, and most needed representative men being rejected at the present momentous juncture of public affairs; while some of the least qualified by ability, wisdom, or honesty—men essentially not needed in the councils of the nation—are returned, in many instances unopposed, in others with but little show of opposition? Truly, in the race for seats in Parliament, the victory is more often to the invertebrate politicians—men without political principles—than to the rigid-backed statesmen who, having devoted themselves to the study of the science of government, and conscientiously developed a public line for their guidance, are unable to truckle to the passing whim, rage, or stupidity of ill-educated semi-corrupt voters profoundly indifferent to the real nobility of the men they flout.