Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-06-03
ON THE RIGHTS OF MINORITIEs.
FnoM rae CHARLESTON MERcuRY.

The recent struggle in the House of Representatives
the Nebraska bill will be memorable, only fol
the pertinacty with which the minority resisted pas
sage but also for the extraordinary to which
the majority resorted ut the last to their triumph
The amendment offered by Mr.. STEPHENS in Committee
of the Whole strike the enacng clause of the bill
off all other amendments, deprived the bill of its vi
tally and compelled the committee to rise and report
the bill thus amended the House. The question then
up in the House upon the adoption of this report
previous understanding the very majority who had
amended the bill in committee voted for the rejec-
ton of she report. The effect of this then was to
remove the bill from committee where amendments with
out limit could impede its passage and bring it before
the House, where the call for the previous question, to
the exclusion Of all amendments would force it at
to direct vofe The tactics were most adr0it and
the result showed entirely successful Thus, after te
dious parliamentary campaign, which left the question
still to be decided by patience and physical endurance
the victory is by simple man9uvre, unlocked
for is unusual The to it is in the par
iamentary history OF the country. 1t has closed the
doer henceorh the successful resistance the part
Of inortes to measures which they deem unconstitu-
tonal and oppressive and the effect of victory thus
won will be to mako maorites more intoerant of oppo-
son and regardless of the claims and arguments of
the weaker side We do not speak of this movement in
reference to the Nebraska bill We look it as ques-
ton deeply affecting the future history Of the country
and as such it is worthy of note
As Mr. CALHOUN observed, Governments were formed
protect minortes majorites take of them
selves The rules of the House of Representatives
sttute part of the system. The restrictions imposed
by them upon hasty oppressive legislation by placing
in the hands of the minority the power check and de-
feat it. among its wisest provisions They have
been regarded in England and in this country
to justice and liberty.
We think the late move in the House Of Representa-
tives by which the Nebraska bill carried subversve
Of this system and these restrictions The precedent is
established and majorties in the future need only follow
to perpetrate acts Of the grossest injustice. Where
now is there any parliamentary protection for minories
This system of tactics violates it utterly and by
single blow deprives them of that power which, although
it may at times be the rayng point of faction yet in
the light Of oil history the last strong refuge Of jus.
tce and freedom In the annihilaon therefore, of the
power of minores in the ntoerant spirit which here
after will actuate maores and the consequent wrong
full legislation to which they may lead in oil these aspects
regard the precedent established bad and danger
1t is fearful stride to that fatal evil which
impends Democratic institutions when mnorites, their
protests appeals and rights UNDECIDED in the
less tread of majortes.
There are some who congratulate themselves and
the country upon the of these tactics who will
yet regret and decry their application. They win yet
feel the value of the rights Of minortes when they be-
long the weaker side themselves and will bitterly re-
member that they first administered others the poi
soned chaice which evenhanded justice commends to
their lips The whole country, and particularly the
South will be made to feel at what cost the passage Of
the Nebraska bill was bought.
Whatever were the merits Of the BILL whatever of
wisdom of justice may be claimed for it. we place
them far below the perpetuy and recognition of those
rights which belong to the few against the many.
Practically, il this precedent is to be followed the
Committee Of the Whole is superfuous thing, and should
be abolished.