New-York tribune., 1841-11-26
mechanics, In.,itu,e Lectures.

Institute last evening "tS ONO winch otSHt " NC
universally heard and needed. lis subject was
-" TIE RIGHTS or THE MINORITY" and its aim TO
refute the TOO common idea that the Potrer OF the
Majority to govern es It peases within certain
limits carries with it the right so to govern il
defiance of the interests, wishes and feelings of
the Minority Mr.. Scoles maintained tina, the
Minority has a right TO have its feelings and
wishes respected even in the choice OF Public
Officers; for while the Majority and viii
select these from their own ranks, they have no
right to select those peculiarly obnoxious to the
Minority. The Minority has also right to be
heard and respected in the Public Policy Of the
Country. The Majority mast ultimately govern
but it has right 10 treat with neglect the argu-
rnents, representations and circumstances of the
Minority il should hear and consider them pa
tienty and fully, yielding TO them all that justice
shall seem to require. But, above ALL the Minority
have an indefeasible right to Equal Laws, Equal
Protection, Equal Taxation; and OF these the
Majority-no matter how OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
deprive them without fragrant injustice and OPP
preston. A particular policy may be advantageous
TO the Majority; and yet if it bear unequally and
oppressively on the Minority, the Majority have
ne right 10 adopt and enforce it.
Mr Scoles illustrated this position by the case
of the State Prison Monopoly. A majority OF the
community probably are benefited, or believe them
selves TO be- by the present system of State Pris-
on Labor. The community, as such, Is relieved
from the supports Of convicts; they are rendered
a source of profit rather than Of tax; and gery
many articles of Prison manufacture afforded
cheaper than they otherwise would be. The great
Agricultural class, and other classes, forming
large majority of the People, are probably benefit
ed rather than injured by this system, and may say,
Why should we change But their reasoning leaves
entirely of the question the rights and inter-
ests Of the Minority-the Mcchasics-which may
be completely sacrificed, their livelihood destroyed
and their families reduced TO beggary, while the
Majority experiences no evil whatever, but rather
benefit.
The great danger of our Political system is the
uncontrolled tyranny of the Majority, and the con-
sequent sacrifice of tho rights of the Minority
Man is greedy of power and prone to abuse it.
Monarchy, Aristocracy and Democracy alike al.
ford striking examples of this truth. Wherever
Power is vested, there will be temptations to per-
vert and abuse it. The sovereign, be he ono or
many, will have his parasites and fatterers. The
demagoguc in Democracy would be the grovel-
ing sycophant in Monarchy.
The checks on the Tyranny of the Majority are,
first, the Federal Constitution; secondly, the
Rights of the State. Each Of these is precious,
and the preservation of each in its purity and in
tegrity is vitality important. The two extremes,
Consolidation and Notification, should be equally
and carefully avoided. Within each State, its own
constitution and laws must afford barriers against
the Tyranny of Majority But all these are par
tial and feeble; since laws NAV be changed and
constitutions construed at the pleasure Of the Ma
jority. The ultimate and chief reliance must be
the Justice Intelligence and Patriotism of the
Majority itself The safety Of the Minority de-
mands an elevation of the standard Of Virtue and
knowledge among the many. To this end all ef
forts should be directed: here the aspirations of
the Patriot should tend.
In conclusion, Mr. S. urged that the rights of
the Minority only be secure where all classes
are represented and all voices heard. This alone
can prevent heart-burnings and discontent let all
be fairly heard, and all must acquiesce in the ult-
mate decision. In fact, the due protection of the
Rights of the Minority is but another term for the
Equal Rights and Equal Laws which, it is to
be feared are more talked of than truly cared for
or understood. Let the Majority, then, their
power wisely and honestly; as men accountable to
their Country, their conscieaces and to God
The above is necessarily but brief abstract Of
Lecture which occupied ovor an hour in the de-
livery, and which was listened 10 with profound
and we-rewarded attention
70 PROF. O. s. Fowler delivered the first Of
his proposed course of Lectures on Phrenology
and Physiology to a fair audience last evening ut
Clinton Hall. 1t was mainly statement of re-
marNable facts collected for the purpose of proring
the peculiar doctrines of Phrenology Many very
singular cases were presented and the authority for
each fully and frankly given. The skulls of
great variety of animals were also exhibited and
the lecture closed by an examination Of the heads
OF several of the audience. The course is to con-
si.t of twelve lectures: the next will be upon
Phrcnology as applied to Temperance and Prof.
Fowler especially invited all those opposed to Tenn
perance to attend.
70 THOMAS A. CoorrR of Bristol, Pa. (the
veteran Tragedian we belevs) has been appointed