Most of the contests in the ancient commonwealths turned primarily on the right of election of magistrates; or on the balance among the several orders of the state.

古代联邦的大部分竞争主要围绕地方官的选举权展开； 或在国家的几个命令之间取得平衡。

The people did not long retain their right of election; and while they did retain it, they almost always acted under the influence of the clergy, who, in such spiritual matters, appeared to be their natural guides.

人民并没有长期保留他们的选举权；虽然他们确实保留了它，但他们几乎总是在神职人员的影响下行事，神职人员在这种精神问题上似乎是他们的自然向导。