Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-03-13
MR.. CALHoUN's SPEECH.
CoNCLUDED.l

Among the few exceptions in the Asiatic ma
tious, the Government of the twelve tribes Of Is
rael. in its early period, was the most striking
Their government, at first, was a mere confede.
ration, without any central power, till military
chiefiain, with the title of King, placed at its
head, without, however, merging the original or
ganization OF the twelve distinct tribes This
was the commencement Of that central action
among that peculiar people, which. in three ge-
n-rations, terminated in permanent division OF
their tribes. 1t is impossible even for careless
reader to peruse the history Of that event with
out being forcibly struck with the analogy in the
causes which led to their separation, and those
which now threaten US with similar calamity
With the establishment Of the central power IN
the King. commenced system of taxation. which,
under King Solomon, was greatly Increased,
80 defray the expense of rearing the temple, OF
eniarsing and emheiIishing Jerusalem, the seat
OF the central government, and the other pro.
fac expenditures OF his magnificent reign. In
creased taxation was followed BY its natural con.
sear.-ees-disconten and complaint; which,
b. re III, death, began to excite resistance. On
tLe .uccession Of his son, Reh0bOam, the ten
tribes, headed BY Jeroboam, demandeda reduc-
ton of the taxes; the temple being finished, aud
tn. establishment of Jerusalem completed, and
the money which had Ueen raised for that purpose
be,ag no longer required. or, in other words, the
debt being paid. they demanded reduction OF
tn. duules-a repeal Of the tariff. The demand
was taken under consideration, and after consult
ing me old men, the counselors Of '9S, who ad-
vised reduction, he then took the opinion Of the
Younger politicians. who had since grown up,
and Knew not the doctrines of their fathers, he
hearkened unto their counsel, and refused to
make the reduction, and the secession OF the ten
tribes, under Jeroboam followed. The tribes OF
Judah and 'BeoJa,niu, which had received the
disbursements, alone remained 10 the house OF
David.
But, to return to the point Immediately under
consideration. He knew that it was not only
the opnion Of large majority OF our country,
but it might be said to be the opinion Of the age
that the very beau ideal Of perfect government
was the government of majority, acting through
a representative body. without check or imita-
ton in its power; yet, if we may test this theory
by experience and reason, we will find that, 50
far from being perfect, the necessary tendency OF
all governments based upon the will OF an abso-
ilte majority, without constitutional check or Ii
imitation 1T power, is to faction, corruption, an
archy, and despotsm; and this, whether the ill
Of the majority be expressed directly through an
assembly Of the people themselves, or by their
representatives. | know (said Mr.. c. that in
venturing this. assertion utter that which ia un.
popular, both within and without these walls:
but, where truth and liberty are concerned. such
considerations should not be regarded, He would
place the decision of this point on the tact, that
no government Of the kind, among the many at
tempts which had been made. had ever endured
for single generation; but, on the contrary, had
invariably experienced the fate which he had as.
signed to them. Let single instance be point
ed out, and be would surrender his opinion. But,
if we had not the aid of experience to direct our
Judgment, reason itself would be a certain guide.
The view which considers the community a
unit, and all its parts as having similar inter.
est, is radically erroneous However small the
community NAV be, and however homogeneous
its interests, the moment that government IS put
into operation, soon as It begins to collect tax
es and TO make appropriations, the different por-
tons Of community must, Of necessity, bear diff
ferent and opposing relations in reference to the
action Of the government. There must ipevita.
bly, spring up two interests; direction and
sto, kholder interest; an interest pro6tns by the
action Of the government, and interested IN 10.
creasing its powers and action; aud another at
whose expense the political machine IS kept in
motion. He knew how difficult it was to com.
municate distinct ideas on such subject, through
the medium of general propositions, without par
ticular illustrations; and, in order that he might
be distinctly understood, though at the hazard
of being tedious, he would illustrate the import
ant principle which he had ventured to advance,
By examples.
Let US then suppose small community Of five
persons, separated from the rest Of the world;
and, to make the example strong, let US suppose
them all to be engaged in the same pursuit. and
to be Of equal wealth Let Us further suppose,
that they determine 70 govern the community by
the will Of majority; and, toanake the case as
strong as possible. let US suppose that the maio.
rity, in order to meet the expenses Of the Gov
eminent, lay an equal tax, say Of 800 on each
individual Of this little community. Their trea-
sury would contain five hundred dollars. Three
are 4 majority; and they. by suppositons have
contributed three hundred as their portion, and
the other two. 1.-THE minority,) two hundred
The three have the right to make the appropria.
tons as they may think proper. The question
is, how would the principle Of the absolute and
unchecked majority operate, under these circum-