When the mariner has been tossed for many days in thick weather and on an unknown PHILADELPHIA: J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO. LONDON: 16 SOUTHAMPTON STREET, COVENT GARDEN. PREFACE. THE ensuing discussion of the Electoral System of the United States, it may be at the outset frankly acknowledged, owes its origin to a belief that the country requires it:-not that its style, its logic and its argument are of value, these being matters of minor importance; but that its facts and figures, the principles involved and their attested resultants, impartially examined and thoroughly developed, are demanded by a nation whose government is peculiarly representative, and the conduct of whose civil polity must therefore exactly conform to the intelligence and enlightenment of its people. A book is intrinsically valuable, not because of the thoughts it presents, but in proportion to the thought it evokes. This volume was not made, it grew, naturally and rationally; it does not seek to sustain a theory,—it establishes a System. A consideration of the subject was first suggested by the issues raised in the recent Presidential election. In their determination, there were a palpable and a lamentable confusion of opinion and lack of knowledge; intrigue, excitement, and passion were regnant; and it seemed that this diversity of sentiment, this want of decision, this reckless warfare of party and faction and clique, must have their foundation in an ignorance of the facts and a misapprehension of the principles underlying them. The truth of that supposition has been amply demonstrated during the progress of the investigation. So many new and important facts have been unearthed, so many doubtful principles have been firmly established, the author's pre-existing opinions have been so completely reversed, and the electoral scheme is now so clear and simple and beautiful a System in his own mind, that he feels it incumbent on him to invite the public as well to a view of its harmony and perfection. For ages the generation of the universe has been under consideration, and scholar and sage have bent their intellects to a solution of its magnificent but perplexing problems. The beginning and the end of their inquest is theory. Could they go back to that time when the Creator laid the foundations of the world, and observe the process of its building; could they then regard the new creations wheeling off into space, smoothly and perfectly fulfilling their various functions; difficulty would vanish, diversity give place to agreement, and theories merge in a natural and orderly system. The two cases are analogous, except in so far as follows. It is possible to-day to revert to the period at which the Electoral System was framed, to observe how block by block it was builded and fashioned by the Fathers, to learn how year after year its principles permeated their practices, as well as to mark their decadence and lapse into existing theories and customs, and to dimly perceive a confusion worse confounded impending in the future. It is possible, nay! easy to do this, and yet no one has thus far found time or inclination to undertake the examination,-not even our statesmen, into whose hands the people have committed the grand trust of an intelligent and systematic administration of their organic law. Fiction has usurped the dominion of fact, principle has been sacrificed to policy, loyal research is degraded into contentious disputation, and the national weal succumbs to the welfare of faction. But, notwithstanding this ominous state of affairs, a beautiful Electoral System exists, inviting investigation, challenging discussion, and prepared to vindicate the wisdom and sagacity of its founders. It is obvious that, since our most exalted national office is quadrennially filled through the instrumentality of this System, it should be exactly defined and universally known. Therefore no apology need be offered for the extent and comprehensiveness of this disquisition. The author's design was to gather, collate, and discuss every fact and opinion of moment transpiring since the foundation of the Union, heretofore uncollected and usually difficult of access. It was a most pleasing and absorbing work, and the result is so surprisingly satisfactory to himself, not only in the discovery of the many fresh facts adverted to, but in the evolution of a unique and symmetrical System, hitherto unsuggested, that it is confidently offered as a substantial contribution to the literature of the subject. The facts and principles will speak for themselves, and it is believed that the reader will find new and important developments in every chapter of the book; whilst the argument connecting them and the method pursued are commended to his kindly and forbearing consideration. Written during the recent agitation and disposition by Congress of some of the fundamental principles of the System, the work almost of necessity deals with the decisions of the "Electoral Commission" of 1877; but the criticism is conducted with impartiality, approving or condemning only where the logical demonstration of those principles requires it. A clear and emphatic pronouncement were wise, and therefore should not be considered objectionable. Since the issue of these decisions was a victory of the Republican party, the author might hesitate to apply the tests of the genuine System to them, were it not for the fact that he has hitherto been a member of that organization; he therefore feels that he is entitled to express his honest convictions, upon either its deeds or designs, freely and frankly. Republicans or Democrats, we should be patriots only, when executing the Constitution of the United States. The subject, it will be seen, has naturally divided itself into three branches, to wit, history, criticism, and restoration. The statesman or student may, in the following pages, peruse the entire history of this question in the past; he may also examine all the collateral facts of record, employed in reviewing the practices and policies of our predecessors; and he may inspect the new interpretation of the electoral clauses, believed to be the original and only legitimate one, put upon them by the author in discussing the Receiving, Opening and Counting of the Votes. The method of electing a President, and its subsequent influence on his administration, is a living question in the politics of to-day, as it was a vital one in those of a century ago; the problem is widely discussed at present, and must be more widely considered hereafter, for on its solution doubtless depend the stability and permanency of this nation. Therefore the results of the investigation are summed up, in the last chapter, by a discussion and enunciation of certain amendments and of a new electoral law, in which are comprehended the demonstrated principles of the Constitution, and from which will issue a purification of our national elections and a reform in our civil service. They are consummations devoutly to be wished, difficult to be attained, and to be reverently and persistently sought. |