Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1854-04-07


/ (,c,iuns has had ils origin in the adoption Of
This anii.democraic custom. il is utterly
subversi,e ofPoPular government and rule by
majority.
Every true Democra, should study a,ien-
lively the origin, history and consequences Of
this radical change in popular government ;
and mark we'll those who are attempting 10
fasien il upon the people. II is fortunate for
the democracy, that the present aiiemP, to still
farther overthrow the role by majority comes
lrum whig source. II should he remem-
beied. likewise, that the reasons for lis intro
iucion into the legislature are derived from
the Executive and no, from the people The
mss Of the people have neither asked for,
nor do they desire any such change. They
are opposed, utterly and entirely opposed, 10
these perpetual, cous,an, and unremilting ef-
forts to mu,ila,c, alter aRd modify the eousii-
tuition.
The argument for this change-io elect
Governor. Senators SC, by Plurality, instead
Of by maioriiy-is spccioGs. ingenious, and
subtle. bat il neither sound, reasonable or
convincing. II is based uron the assumption
that It will cave time in elcciions-that IL
will free the people from party mauagcrs--
that i, will se,urc the objects Of reform and
progress better than the majority system
,hati,will prevent fariion-and that It willse-
cure the rights Of the people, now lost by the
majority system.
We have No time to call the readers allen-
ton particularly to these arguments but
one moments examination ought to convince
every democrat tha, they have no solid SOL
ia inundl'ion. They are erroneous from he.
ginning to end and ought not to receive the
support Of any friend Of popular government,
Lriu, refer 20 the Grs, assumption, viz
that the Plurality system would save time and
expense ia elections. suppose lhis 0cretruc
can any man say il would fur that reason, be
either Just, necessary or eSPctieu,' j. it
true tina, the people have complained because
they have In some instances. been frequently
- -. -, 49,, IT. -.
10 tho fret trill' And are they ready 10 So
crdcc their rights and franchise, tn The lars.
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'," o." ''''' ''''' '' f'' "
'id 'aAe '''n' ao1 expense '' e'e'' ''' our "l'
Beers 1t would 'c a' aI'a'he'eompar'd win
4 scheme that would '1er.hce the hr'' great
rrr'ir'c Of popular sovereignty. The pco-
pie give these freely 10 any extent andinany
degree, ior the sake of their choice.
Take sno'hcr argument, VIZ that It will
prevent DO" division OF parties aud consequent
Is overthrow iici.ons. Ear from this proPo
s.rion being true ,'he'reycrsc Is more likely Ia
obtain. Six hundred wears Of Plurality rule
IN ENGLAND. instead ofprcvcn'inc faction and
defeating the designs and Vaccinations Of POL.
Iurians. has been the ho, led Of hc,ion and
Vaccination So, the Sou,ber, and Mid.
N, State. vb,r, the Plurality system h,s,,.
.,,,5 longest, Faction and m,cbin,,ior and
.o,,;,r. l,,. increased rather than diminish.
"a II. r,r,ial Introduction into the New
ENGLAND State. has had ,simIlar effect. Fac.
,,,rs william, number ,prirr M and thrive
rp.,r,bi. N,i.,c,,,,ic system hpI ,....-I
g L--,~a ,oiy VIII, 7od ncmo~r1,'r Par
~ IN Maine since II has come 80 mr. North
IS our own State, Ne dri a National Demo
cratic part, IA Liberal Pary-a Democratic
Pary-a Democratic Wing Party Schci-
dam Srhnlpp Pauy-a Free Democratic Par
~, Sc, on under the auspices Of this new
prlaciplc The idea Tint It MI prevent fac
ION, is therefore all sham.
We have mn nom 10 examine the argument
in detail but LEI the people view the subject
IN Whatever light they may, they will find !,
can not bear tho test Of truth, justice, right
OF Democracy. It Is Incompatible with them
an
Ih' oane OF '''' Stale a'u "' 'ne "a' 'oo'
NJ The present um'' Is Too many amendments
'0 the 'or''i'n''on' TOO much parry 'p'''''aho
100 ""'' L'a.''l''"'. II j. we consequence
~ ''' 'n"'" Once '.e'''I' 100 ,'u'' P',''''''
management ana an "'''""e''n"'"s u''l''