New-York daily tribune., 1854-05-31
THE NEW PARLIAMENTARY TACTICS.

The Charleston Mercury, with its accustomed fore
sight refuses TO share in the plaudits which the
southern press is generally bestOwing the para-
mentary maneuver by which Mr.. Stephens OF Geor-
ga reyolutonzed the rules Of the House, and by
stroke carried the Nebraska bill out of the Commit
tee of the Whole and insured its immediate passage
The Mercury thus emphstcally condemns the whole
procedure
over the Nebraska bill will be memorable only for
the pertinacity with Which the minority Resisted It's pas
sage but also for the extraorn mary wAS the
majority resored at the last 10 their triumph. T
amendment offered by Nr. Stephens, Committee Of the
Whole 20 strke the enaciing clause Of the bill cut
of all other amendments deprived the bill OF IL vitality
and compelled the Committee - and report he oil
thus amended 10 tic House. The question then up
in the House upon the edOptiOn this report BY pre-
yOus understanding the very majority who had amended
tie b! IN Committee now voted for the rejection OF the
report. The effect OF this then 10 remove the
bill from Committee where amendments without Limit
could impede rs passage and bring before the House
where the call for the previous question 10 the exclusion
of all amendments would force II 10 direct vote.
The tactics were most afro and a. the result showed
entirely successfu. Thus after tedious parliamentary
campaign which eft the question iii 10 be decided by
patience and ysical endurance the victory BY
simple maneuyer unlocked for II Il unusual The
10 II IL the parliamentary history % the
country II has closed the door hencefOlh 20 the success
iu resistance, the part Of minorie To which
thew deem and oppressive And the effect
OF victory thus viii be 10 make ma Orles in
tolerant opposition and regardless OF the claims and
arguments IL the weaker SIDE We DO not speak vi this
movement II reference the Nebraska bill. We look A;
II question deeply affecting the future history Of the
country. and a. such II Is worthy OF note.
As Mr.. Calhoun observed. governments we're formed %
protect mnor-es-majortes take Of bem-eyes.
The rues Of the House Of Representatives constitute
par q tie system. The restrictions imposed By them upon
hasty oppressive legislation by placing the hands Oi
the minority the power 20 check and defeat H. among
its wisesi provisions They have been regarded in
England hd in this country necessary justice and
liberty.
We think the late move in the House Of Representa-
tives By which the Nebraska bin carried sgbyes.ve
Of this system and these restrictions. The precedent IS
established and maOrtes IN the future need only follow
L 70 Ieperae acts Of the grosses IN justice. Where
i there any parliamentary protection for minogs This
system Of tactics violates utterly. Gnd by single
blow deprves them Of that power which, although it may
a. times be the ralyiDg point OF faction yet in the light o.
al history Il the last strong refuge OF justice AMI freedom
In the anIhaton. therefore, Of the power OI mnOrie
in the n;Olerant spirit which hereafter viii aetuate major
ties and the consequent wrongful legislation % winch
they may lead in ell these aspects weTegard the Dreceea
established bad and dangerous. II .earfu! stride 4
that fatal evil which mpends Democratic institutions
when mnoniies their protests. appeals and rghts an
UnheeCed in The reuOrseless tread OF maOrifies
There are now who congratulate themselves Al,
the country upon the Of Mr.. Stephens tactic.
who viii yet regret and decry their application The
vii Yet feel the value Of the rights OF minortes whe
they belong 20 the weaker side themselves and will hi,
tery remember that they first administered 70 others t
poisoned ehalce which eyen-handed Justice commends
their lips. The whole country and particularly M
South viii be made 10 feel what cosi the passage OF III
Nebraska bill was bought.
" " hateyf were the merits Of the bilI-wba,eve- q
wisdom or Of justice which may be claimed for IL W
place them Tar below the perpetuty and reco0uiton
those rights which belong TO the few against the maay
"FIaeteeAyi tbs precedent is to be followed, til