Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1829-11-18

narture from the principle o. majority,
cosld easily iofer the,our republican insti-
tutions, might issue ia monarchy, and
prove that we ought 10 establish Ssia0rify
of men with a majority OF mone, But,
sir. in all these examples, it's moe conve-
nience. and the supposed mdiori of wish.
Is. coiaciding with the Plurali' o3iained,
which reconcHrs these con puueios to
these ussres. Iexceptthe aliusioa o. the
Senate and Congress ofthe United States,
and the referosce 10 juries, as not applca-
be TO tie qaBttion a. issue, ari as expiicas
baupor olhs PRINCIPLES.
ra4 en --'t ~
uaiorites. wish 10 make remark %
two upon the origin of them. The gentle
men upon the other side, have tnumphant'
" called upon Us to find the origin oil ma.
iorities in a state of nature. Nay, indeed
they almost rdicule the idea of men exist
ing in state Of nature We all know,
that men. roaming st large, over the ior'
ests could have 90 idea of maiOrlties: It is
not applicable TO them. But so soon no
men form a social compact, It IS one OF the
first things which comes from nature itself
TO them. The true origin of thlS idea, IS
found in the nature and circumstances
of men. Man is a social animal. and IN
obedience TO this law ofhIs nature, he seeks
society and desires the countenance Gilman
But, as all men arc not born IN one day,
and do not all place their eyes upon tho
same object, at the same time, nor receive
the same education, they cannot all be OF
the same opinion. Some arrangement,
founded on the nature Of man, for mems
living together, must then be adopted
And the lmpossibihty of gratifying ,nelr
social desires, but IN yielding to differ.
ences Of opinion, presents itselfamong the
very first reflections. all matters, them
of common interest, when a difference oc-
ours, O c party must yield. They must
either agree to yield, or to form new CONF
munlty. But, which shall yield! All ma
ture cries, inferior TO the superior; The
weaker to the stronger; the less to the grea'
ter.-It is. then, founded on the nature OF
thing. And a moments reflection VIII
convince US, that, in case Of a Struggle,
the minority must yield to the majority
for, they have the power, either TO compel
il, or to expel the dlsafIected. II IS, then,
as natural a conclusion aud arrangements
as can be conceived.
But, sir, there are some who deay the
existence of state Of nature altogether.
We're it imaginary, we can reason from It,
as well as upon any other abstract subject
whatever But, Sir, it is not altogether
imaginary History affords some Irsian.
ces, Of what Is at least analogous TO It, Of
dispersed individuals forming social com'
pact. We shall give an illustration ofwhut
History has recorked History has ~
formed US, that political communities have
been broken up, and from their ruins new
ones have been formed. For example,
Should some foreign enemy invade this
country,--and may Heaven long avert
that day. say, suppose, that for our In'
lqulties in government, some foreign enc.
my should invade our country, and spread
devastation, rum and death through the
land, few might escape and flee to tho
most distant wilds, say beyond the Rocky
Mountains. We shall select for lllustras
lion ofour principles, few individuals
who whl Illustrate this state Of nature, as
we'll as many thousands. A community
or a nation, Is bat family on a larger
scale. Suppose, then, A, b, G, ID, and
Z, after having lived some two or three
years, unknown TO each other, IN the wllds,
should at some time meet. 4. 10 making
he escape, had suatched a bag Of dollars
b had taken his wife--C his fdle--D
bis children-lnd Z had nOthirg but him'
sclf.-They are about TO form social
compact. They have brought some OF the
old ideas with then-from their former 80
lciety. A Is an old VugInIan, and beglns
tie discussion. BE says 'gemilemen'
government IS for the protection u pTgf'
srv, and every man ought TO have iniiu'
ence according to bis properly. j. there.
\ fore. contend Tor an influence PFoporlioned
~ ,,v weath. ! know, that we have
inch need Of wealth Ia forming a comlOr-
- settlement here, and many calls wall
he made upon me-" b asks hIm, Of what
nee was bis bag Of dollars 10 him, since
HIS arrival IN the wldernessl Had he
soeut a dollar since he left the old society
/ Not enc. Society, SIR, continues he, is
necessary to give use and importance 10
money; and YOU a-e as much indebted 70
rs, for giving you an opportunity 70 sPend
Z your money, TO obtain our aids, a. We can
I be 10 You Tor such sums as we may call up
on you for. Besides, sir, without our So
-ciety and assistance, yon could o. protect