But, once invested with political
omnipotence, if the operative classes voluntarily concurred in
imposing in this or any other manner any considerable limitation
upon their self-opinion and self-will, they would prove themselves
wiser than any class, possessed of absolute power, has shown itself,
or, we may venture to say, is ever likely to show itself, under that
corrupting influence.
Chapter 13
Of a Second Chamber.
OF ALL topics relating to the theory of representative government,
none has been the subject of more discussion, especially on the
Continent, than what is known as the question of the Two Chambers.
It has occupied a greater amount of the attention of thinkers than
many questions of ten times its importance, and has been regarded as a
sort of touchstone which distinguishes the partisans of limited from
those of uncontrolled democracy. For my own part, I set little value
on any check which a Second Chamber can apply to a democracy otherwise
unchecked; and I am inclined to think that if all other constitutional
questions are rightly decided, it is but of secondary importance
whether the Parliament consists of two Chambers, or only of one.
If there are two Chambers, they may either be of similar, or of
dissimilar composition. If of similar, both will obey the same
influences, and whatever has a majority in one of the Houses will be
likely to have it in the other.
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