“I call it having a share in the government when a man has share in saying who shall govern him.”
“Well, you’ll own that’s a very different thing. But, let’s see; will that find our wisest governor for us—letting all the foolishest men in the nation have a say as to who he is to be?”
“Come now, Hardy, I’ve heard you say that you are for manhood suffrage.”
“That’s another question; you let in another idea there. At present we are considering whether the vox populi is the best test for finding your best man. I’m afraid all history is against you.”
“That’s a good joke. Now, there I defy you, Hardy.”
“Begin at the beginning, then, and let us see.”
“I suppose you’ll say, then, that the Egyptian and Babylonian empires were better than the little Jewish republic.”
“Republic! well, let that pass. But I never heard that the Jews elected Moses, or any of the judges.”
“Well, never mind the Jews; they’re an exceptional case: you can’t argue from them.”
“I don’t admit that. I believe just the contrary. But go on.”