It appears to me just to leave to my successor the commencement of those measures which he will have to prosecute, and for which he will be responsible." On the other hand, the eyes of the nation are centred on a single point; all are watching the gradual birth of so important an event.

The wider the influence of the executive power extends, the greater and the more necessary is its constant action, the more fatal is the term of suspense; and a nation which is accustomed to the government, or, still more, one used to the administrative protection of a powerful executive authority would be infallibly convulsed by an election of this kind.
In the United States the action of the Government may be slackened with impunity, because it is always weak and circumscribed.

*u [Footnote u: [This, however, may be a great danger.

The period during which Mr.Buchanan retained office, after the election of Mr.Lincoln, from November, 1860, to March, 1861, was that which enabled the seceding States of the South to complete their preparations for the Civil War, and the Executive Government was paralyzed.

No greater evil could befall a nation .-- Translator's Note.]] One of the principal vices of the elective system is that it always introduces a certain degree of instability into the internal and external policy of the State.