Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-11-13

The Two-TkiYds Rule.-Arain.

The semi-weekly Enquirer Of the 18th
contains an editorial article arraigning, in
friendly and courteous terms, the views we !
expressed in our last issue, on the question, !
of adopting the two-thrds rule in the an
preaching State Convention. We have
time only to notice several Of tie more
prominent objections urged by our respec-
ted contemporary.
lhe Enquirer say': Win reply, we ask
the Vin9icator fit is not oui,e as wrono
aud offensive to defeat as TO procnr. No
miuation by management and int,,eue-
Nay, is it net worse for in one instance we
suppose .nc will Of minority to be over
come, in the other, the voice of the major
NV IS suppressed BY fraud and violence"
In the first place, we do not wish to be
understood as supporting the two-,hrds
rule to procure nomination by manage
ment and intrigue" Such an agent as the
latter does not enter into our policy. W.
support this rae for the happy results
which have invariably attended its opera
ton. We support it to thwart the plans
Of the intriguing. Had we not the eyi.
dence staring lis in The fate, that system
OF packing and wire.worklng has been
| practiced in the State, in relation to the
delegates to this Convention, TO secure the
nomination of certain gentleman, we
should not have written single sentence
on the subject, but left.it to the Convention
to deride in favor Of the majority or two
thirds rule. We desire TO accomplish =
negative result, and that is, TO treat as it de.
serves species Of corruption alike deyra-
ding to the Democratic party and the prin-
clpal sricksters.
In the second place, and as legitimate
Inference from ;he remarks above made
we do not believe that majority of the
Democratic voters Of the State will be rep.
resented BY majority of the delegates to
this Contention. Hence, we are candiAls
of the opinion, that the result of the adop.
ton Of the majority rule, will be violence
to the wishes of a majority of the party
Yet,we are not prepared to 60 as far as our
friends Of the Enquirer, and say that the
adoption of this rule twill not be auigfly
endured Approving the two.thirds
rule as we honestly do. srd its gen.
eral bearing and results, we shall be great.
ly sratided if the Convention adopt it,
But should our views be repudiated by that
body, we have only to say that we will
bow submissively. ard enter the contest to
do battle honestly and fairly Cor the nomi
nee OF the Contention, although he may
net be the first choice Of the par,y.
The Erquner's argument that our views
~osld lead TO size ersbsr,rd conclusion" that
''absolufe unanimity would be the best
rule" is unfair and certainly not relevant.
That absolute enanimity" would be ",hs
best rule. could nomination be thas eff
fected,we presume the Enquire. will hard
" deny. We are tontsnding, hviweser,
Tor that rule which is sound in principle,
ana practical and available in policy, If
you choose, you eau carry out any rule
to an"absurd conclusion" But we are NOT
inquiring what will be the result Of fac.
tious extremity, but desire to ascertain what
rule " i'll best subscrte The Interests Of our
party. establish safe and reliable precedent
and harmonize with the theory o. our 90.
veTnment We believe the two-thirds rule
is that which will best secure these ends
Ours is not a COVE rnment Of ntJnetics)
majority. Were it so. the South would fall
prey to the vile spirit Of Northern abcli.
tionism. 1t was expressly to prt vent the
abuses arising from the majority power that
our sy stem OF checks and balances was cbo.
sen as the basis Of our governmental polity.
How could minority claim to be repre-.
scented, were the majority rule to obtain,
when the sentiments Of that minority are
antagonistic to the majority. 1t is neither
the policy or theory Of OH governments
that numerical majority should rule
And then the State Government is simply
a wheel which is essential to the operation
OF the general government machinery. 1t
performs its part to keep the U. S. Govern.
ment in harmonious movement. 1t is
sovereign in its immediate sphere, but still
it is 40 essential part of a system, and
hence must harmonlze with that adopted
for the operation Of the General Govern
ment. Our constitution on many imror.
tant questions, have expressly provided
against the abuses arising from "a majority
rule; and hence acknowledge the iueffi.
cheney OF its practical operation. The rule
which is employed for its correction, Ger.
tainly possesses superior virtue, and there.
fore its operation must. upon the principle
of cause and effect, b. productive OF more
general good.
A Beautiful Tribute
During the speech Of Mr.. White on
adn asdav ovocsr~ l., -..l...J