The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-03
From the New York Evening Post
The Government Of the Majority.

Tho American Statesman of this week, we perceive
denies the good sense Of Mr. Cahouns doctrine OF me
government of the WHOLE OF which he speaks In his let
ter to Robert L. Dor, published in our sheet the other
day Our readers will remember that IN tins letter ne de
MES she principle that the numerical majority has the
right to govern at the time that he declares him
self equally adverse o the government OF minority
He favor, he says of ga government OF The whole
founded on the joint assent OF all the parties through
their respective majortes and not the mere government
of the majority of the whole On this principle, he says
rests the government Of the United States
II is true as Mr. Calhoun says that the government OF
the United States is founded the assent OF all the
parts" The constitution was adopted by majority IN
each State and however great might have been the ma
jory in its favor in the Union at large no State was
bound by it could be compelled to receive It, IN winch
there was not majority in its favor But when each
State had by majority OF its votes acceded to that torn
of government it submitted itself to the decisions of
majority in the Union 1t consented that the chief mgls-
ae should be chosen by majority + a
that the majority should decide in the House OF Repre-
sentatives - , !,
All these are so many recogntions of the principle that
the government properly rests IN the hands oil the MAORI
ty When the State of South Carolina, by majority OF
the votes of its citizens, adopted the constitution OF the
United States, recognised the principle at home; BY
agreeing 10 the election of president according to the
provisions of the constitution making the voice OF the
majority the basis of all proceedings in the two houses OF
Congress- recognised the principle IN lne 1edera gov
eminent
The very rule by which, in representative govern
ment, the majority OF those men who represent the dler
cnt parts of the country bear sway only an extension OF
that rule of submission to the numerical majority which
prevails in the smaller communities which elect the rep;
resentatves The reason why representatives are elected
from districts, and not by general vote OF the people
we take 10 be thishat makes the representative body
more like the community from which il derives Its orgm
it gives the minority representation, voice, and
means of influence proportonate to its numbers IN the
country If it elected by general vote, its mem
bers would be all one sde and the rule OF submission
to the majority would be much less necessary nasmuch
as on all important questions, the members might be
peced to be unanimous But having taken care that our
legislatures should be composed, like the districts they
represent of persons differing in views and opinions our
federal and State constitutions have completed the re-
semblance by introducing the rule that as in districts so
in Them the majority shall in all questions decide
We are unable, therefore, to see in our general and
State constitutions Throughout, anything but constantly
implied reverence of the principle that the majority shall
govern 1t is very true that the government OF the ma
iortv may be sometimes unreasonable-that 1t may be
sometimes dcspotic This evil may be obviated in part
by limiting the powers Of the majority BY express prob
ton is not sufficiently comprehensive, the remedy must
be applied by public opinion, which generally, sooner
or later redesses the wrongs of legislation brings about
the repeal of bad laws and even provides against their
enactment by revision of the constitution and by nlta
tons of power which meet the case in question.