The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-24
From The Boston Daily I4drrtiser.

PoLITIcAL AerrArloS.--It cannot but excite some
SURPRISE if not even alarm, in the minds of careful
observers of the state of affairs throughout the
try, perceive with what indifference the of
the people regard the excess of excitement now so
prevalent on political matters. If this excitement
were manifested in only the usual modes, and if
the uses made of it were simply such designed
TO control public measures by appeals to the judg
ment and interests Of the people at large, with
view TO carrying those measures by the voice Of the
majority-and if we could see everywhere exhibited
that respect for the will of the majority which,
der government of the people, is the only security
and disunion, there might be ttleoc
casion for alarm but when VIC parties formed
for the purpose of exercising control the pub
lie will, by the power of paray wing the action
OF the Government, and of bringing legislatures to
stand, through the power which small minority
may acquire OF preventing an expression OF the will
of the majority we see new principle of disunion,
and new engine in the hands of faction, the disas
trous effects of which it is impossible to foresee.
The melancholy posture of affairs, for example.
IN the Legislature of Ohio, but illustration of
the consequences produced by the Intervention of
this new engine of faction. third party possess
ing the confidence of comparatively small portion
OF the people, but interposing their power in
ner to defeat any expression of the sentiment of
majority Of the people, and consequently destroy.
ing the vibration Of the balance, which is necessary
for securing the regular action OF our constitutions
assumes the power of annulling, temporarily, the
Constitution itself A similar example is exhibited
IN the state of affairs in the House of Representa-
tives of the United States. determined minority,
consisting OF merely twentieth part Of the House,
not united on political questions among them
selves, steadily persist in defeating any concur
renee OF majority of the House in any measure
whatever They have thus succeeded in rendering
the House, for a period of seven weeks, entire
nulhty in the government Of the country. This
course, If persevered in, as il may be with no
greater violence 10 the wishes Of the people, or TO
the principles of the Constitution. will leave the
United states destitute Of Legislative Govern
ment capable OF performing any legal act, and the
entire Government incompetent 70 the performance
OF its functions. What this principle OF oppo-
sition by minority will lead 10, if not promptly
irowned upon by the people at large, il is impossi
bic TO foresee.
IL will not be surprising If the same should
produce the same state Of things in the Senate, in
reference TO some Of the important questions which
require the action Of Congress. These the con-
sequences of that system Of popular agitation which
attempts TO carry measures, by local combinations
and parties. goading their representatives to the
support Of their particular views, whether practica
BILE or impracticable, and pledging them to perse-
verance in every mode even 10 the hazard OF stop
ping the whees of Government.