OR, VULCAN S PEAK. 209 or perspectively, more than five years, consecutively. This placed Mr. Mark Woolston on the shelf at the next elec tion. Two legislative bodies were formed, the old council was annihilated, and everything was done that cunning could devise, to cause power and influence to pass into new hands. This was the one great object of the whole procedure, and, of course, it was not neglected. When the new constitution was completed, it was re ferred back to the people for approval. At this third ap peal to the popular voice, rather less than half of all the electors voted, the constitution being adopted by a majority of one-third of those who did. By this simple, and exquisite republican process, was the principle of the sway of major ities vindicated, a new fundamental law for the colony pro vided, and all the old incumbents turned out of office. Silence gives consent, cried the demagogues, who forgol they had no right to put their questions ! Religion had a word to say in these changes. The cir cumstance that the governor was an Episcopalian recon ciled many devout Christians to the palpable wrong that was done him ; and it was loudly argued that a church government of bishops, was opposed to republicanism, and consequently ought not to be entertained by republicans. This charming argument, which renders religious faith secondary to human institutions, instead of human institu tions secondary to religious faith, thus completely putting the cart before the horse, has survived that distant revolu tion, and is already flourishing in more eastern climes. It is as near an approach to an idolatrous worship of self, as human conceit has recently tolerated. As a matter of course, elections followed the adoption of the new constitution. Pennock was chosen governor for two years ; the new lawyer was made judge , the editor, secretary of state arid treasurer; and other similar changes were effected. All the Woolston connection were com pletely laid on the shelf. This was not done so much by the electors, with whom they were still popular, as by means of the nominating committees. These nominating com mittees were expedients devised to place the power in the hands of a few, in a government of the many. The rule of the majority is so very sacred a thing that it is found 18*
