Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-09-19
Tor The Herald.
TO the Delegates ana the People.

4 TO the Delegates ana the People.
Mr.. EDITOR: IL had The satisfaction of hav-
log an expression of sentiment, from the
siumps. from some of the delegates, previous
to the election, in regard 10 what they consid
cred the essential features of constitution
This expression embraced all the principles
that have been agi:ated in the community, but
there is one Of general usage in American juris.
prudence, which was not discussed by the
delegates, nor has il been by The people.
allude 20 that plan Of elective franchise
adopted by the Federal, and nearly all the
Stale Governments, which renders minorities
competent TO elect Notwithstanding it is
well received doctrine of representative de-
mocracy that the majority ought to rule. yet,
from the details of The laws regulating cleo
iions generally, such is not actually the result.
J ] submit it, therefore, 10 the people Of Wis
consin and their delegates, whether or not
there shall be provision in our Constitution
making a nsaiority Of the mhols. instead of
plurality, necessary 10 elect.
Long established ussges which have been
sanctioned time and again by the wise and the
good, ! am aware, ough, not 10 be abolished
wihou, mature deliberaiion; but the science Of
selfgoyerpment is progressive in the same
ratio as is the development Of the human
mind and 10 the establishment Of the funda
mental law or new charters Of government. it
is no, only admissible but il is imperative up
on as to examine cardinal principles with
freedom and candour.
Plurality is the principle tina, governs cleo.
lions 10 this Terrlory--ihe candidate getting
the highest number Of votes is elected and
how does il operated Why whenever there
are three candidates for any one Office minor
fy Of the whole most generally elect and
whenever there are seven or more (as in Grant
county this year for sheriff. the minority are
sure TO elect. Compare the number of the
SheIf's votes with the whole number poled 10
the county, and you will see the operation Of
this principle. Thus a dimnulive integral of
tho suffrage OF Grant county, under this mode
Of election. constitutes a ministerial officer
who legally assumes function aud enters up
on the discharge Of duties peculiar TO the inter
ests Of The whole county.
| Now we all know The people are the source
Of power--we know TOO that an election is
nothing bot a transfer Of power and il is papa
Bile also that If the principle Of majorty's
ruling be lost in primary transfer Of power
il can never again be reached. OF what use
would il be to enact law by majority of the
legislative department when the vote OF a MI
nority elected tina, department The writer
has seen political phenomena, Of this charac.
ter, 10 his native State. More than once, he
has seen, majority Of the members Of the
legislature returned by minorities Of their sew.
e,al counties, thus constituting a coordinate
branch of the government of a State by a mi.
norily Of Its suffrage. Such have been the
practical effects Of The principle in other States
such effects are rendered automatically
certain whenever ofTice.seeking becomes the
rage Of community and il there be any safety
10 judging the future by the past, the enormous
demand for public service at the hands of tho
people this last canvass would certainly make
out a strong case so. FAR. a, least, as this conn.
1ty is concerned q