ion to defeat the Government and
obtain office. To be outside the party is to lose all chance of sharing in
the spoils, and to take an interest in politics means, under these
circumstances, to expect some consideration in the distribution of honours.

The "spoils system" is notorious in America, but in England it has become
practically impossible for a man to take any serious part in politics
except by becoming part of the machine. An independent attitude means
isolation. To belong to a party--Liberal, Unionist, or Labour--and to
criticise its policy, or differ from its leaders, is resented as
impertinence. The machine is master of the man. A troublesome and dangerous
critic is commonly bought or silenced. He is given office in the
Government, or rewarded with a legal appointment; perhaps made a peer if
his tastes are in that direction. A critic who cannot command a
considerable backing among the electorate will probably be driven out of
public life. The disinterested activity in politics that puts the
commonwealth before party gain is naturally discouraged by the party
organisers.

Yet when public interest in national affairs sinks to the merely sporting
instinct of "backing your candidate" at elections as a horse is backed at
race meetings, and of "shouting for your party" as men shout for their
favourite football team, or sinks still lower to the mercenary speculation
of personal gain or loss on election results, then another danger comes
in--the indifference of the average honest citizen to all politics, and the
cynical disbelief in political honesty.

The warnings of John Stuart Mill against leaving politics to the
politicians and against the professional position may be quoted:

"Representative institutions are of little value, and may be a mere
instrument of tyranny or intrigue when the generality of electors are not
sufficiently interested in their own government to give their vote; or, if
they vote at all, do not bestow their suffrages on public grounds, but sell
them for money, or vote at the beck of some one who has control over them,
or whom for private reasons they desire to propitiate. Popular elections as
thus practised, instead of a security against misgovernment, are but an
additional wheel in its machinery."

Mill himself was a striking example of the entirely disinterested
politician, who, caring a great deal more for principles than for party,
finds little favour with the electors, and less with