Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg ended his speech with a meta- physical
censure of the principle of the secret ballot worthy of a debate in the Parliament of Laputa. Secrecy was supposed to give independence ; but isolation was unattainable even in a polling-station. Moreover, it was untrue that the ties of dependence were stronger now than when the existing franchise was introduced. " On the contrary, everybody with practical experience knew how difficult it was for employers to con- trol workmen; and, so far from giving freedom, secrecy undoubtedly tended to deprive voters weak in character or intellect of freedom to resist impulses and personal caprices, or a tendency to general discontent." " Save me from my secret self !" is to be the cry of the Prussian voter. What a pity the Chancellor is not a student of Tom Moore. He might then have quoted one of the most spirited, and also most wrong- headed, of political epigrams to enforce his strictures on the ballot :—
" Time was when Free-speech was the life-breath of Freedom, So thought once the Seldens, the Hampdens, the Lockes ; But mute be our troops as to vict'ry we lead 'em,
For Mum is the word with the Knights of the Box."
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