Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1844-01-17

;hMe 81 the MGorRy.-lD ne doctrine
tha, the majority have The inherent rish, to
rule, no, only destroys all solid ground for
morality, no, only destroys all possibility
Of freedom for minoriies, but It's effects, so
far as ii IS believed and acted upon, arc
mos, disastrous, and cannot be loo earnestly
deprecated. il creates a multitude of
demagogues protesting world of love for
the dearPeoPIe and laudiug popular virtue
and popular sovereignty, the better TO
fatten on popular ignorance and credui,y;
it makes public men lax u their morals;
paves the way for gross bribery and cor
rup,ion; generates habit fappealing from
trnth and justice, wisdom and virtre, 10
the mere force Of plumbers; destroys all
manlness ofcharacler, al! independence OF
thought aud action, and makes one weak
and vaciltating,a lilnersever and coward.
1t prevents inquiry, and leads us to ask.
when it concerns candidate for Office, uot
who is The most honest, The most capable;
but who will command the most volcs and
when it concerns measure, mol what is
just, wise, necessary for the public good,
but what measure can tho majority be in
,rodueed 10 support?
Already do we begin to feel the sad eff.
fects Of this doctrine. Public virtue has
become an empty name. Nothing is more
rare than the statesman who will siaEd up
for what he honestly believes 10 he right,
when he must stand up alone. Go into
your halls oftgislarion and show the wis
dom and justice Of the policy you propose,
SO clearly as 10 fash general aud inslanta-
neoas conviction; wha, then? Will it be
adopted? We doub, whether our whole
political history affords one instance of the
adoption of measure merely on The
ground of it's justice, or of its rejection
solely on the ground oils conviction pro-
duced by the discussion Of injustice. The
history of our legislative bodies is full oI
sadness, and makes one almost despair OF
his race. Even good measure is rarely
carried in straightforward way, by fair
and open means. Protesting the greatest
respect for and confidence in the people,
few Of US care 10 risk the success of 81 hal
we honestly believe good measure on lis
own merits; we intrigue and mapeuvre 10
carry il, as much as if it were piece oil
consumate villainy. A plain, honest. blunt
spokenman, who speaks always The plain
honest truth, would be looked upon in the
political world as simplelon; all parties
would regard him as man mol 10 be trus-
ted, whose imprudence would ruin them.
The whole study is TO maueuvre so as to
secure majority of votes for our party.
forour men & for our measures which are
usually such measures as we think will
most likely place the majority on our side,
and fill all Offices, with men of our party.
Iconfess that | grow heartily sick orthis
doctrine, that The majority has The right
10 govern. I, not only has the tendency
! have stated, but what is worse, il de.
clares this tendency legilimate. If the
majority have the right 10 rule, then ]
should study to be always on the side o
the majority. And vet true man finds il
exceedingly difficult to reconcile bimsei
&c, this. There is. If mistake not, within
every man who can lay the least claim tr
correct moral feeling, that which look.
with contempt on the pupy creature whc