One of the weaknesses of the republican system, in a time of war, is the strong temptation of the representative to consult the wishes of his local constituency upon questions of national interest, and to decide such questions by the probable bearing of his vote upon his re-election rather than its bearing upon the interests of his country.--There are many men, we are aware, who can rise superior to the dictates of selfishness, but human nature is not perfect. Until it is, it may well be doubted whether some checks and balances upon our republican system, such as the wisest fathers of the old Republic recommended, would not be an improvement.