[To THE EDITOR or THE "SFECTATOH..9
Sxn,—The facts in the " Soldier's General Paper " in your issue of the 16th inst. make melancholy reading for whole- hearted believers in democratic government and the "vox populi vox Dei " theory. It may be that total ignorance of the most elementary facts in the history of our country does not matter, and that if we trust the " great heart of the people " all will be well. But, if so, why spend millions on " education " ? If these soldiers are to be considered a fair sample of the class from which they are drawn, does it not reduce the theory of manhood suffrage to an absurdity P The man who is "completely ignorant" of the United States, South Africa, Nelson, and Wellington is held to possess an opinion worth having on all political questions, even though they may be vital to the Empire—an opinion which, expressed by his vote, is theoretically and practically as valuable as that of Mr. Asquith or Sir Edward Grey.—I am, Sir, &c.,
Previous page
