the operation of these motives, led to form our friendships and our society for the most part amongst those with whom we have opinions, and feelings, and sympathies, in common. It is against this tendency, say the advocates of the ballot, that we are resolved to struggle. We will deprive you of the means of displaying such partialities, by concealing from you, as far as we can, the opinions of your neighbours. We cannot, indeed, conceal their rehgion, if they profess any, for they cannot go to their churches or chapels in a mask. We cannot, perhaps, altogether conceal every departure from what you deem morality, for few of the actions of life can be done under a mask,—but as to politics, at least we can defy your penetration; the ballot will prevent you from knowing how any man may vote. He shall be allowed to vote under a mask. Be it so, is the answer. We shall still be able to discover the political opinions of those around us, and from those opinions we shall infer their votes. This will be impossible, is the reply, for we enable every man to wear the guise of agreeing with you, notwithstanding his vote may be given in support of opposite principles. You will not know by whom the votes were given which belief the previous assurances that you received. You may suspect your friends of abusing your confidence, and falsifying their professions. The man who dines at your table, and most eagerly expresses his concurrence in your sentiments, may be one whose act contradicts his language. When we have estabhshed the ballot, you will cease to believe the political declarations of all of your neighbours, and, in the general distrust of everybody, political friendship will be at an end. No man will value or regard a political promise. It will cease to be asked for. All attention, all efforts, and all reward will be directed to the result of the baliot.[1]
- ↑ In the Chapter (X.) on The Mode of Voting, in Mr. Mill's Considerations on Representative Govemment (p. 197, et seq., 2nd ed.), the question of the ballot, together with the spirit it would foster, is considered in its latest aspects, in regard to our present political condition. (Note to 3rd ed.)
