Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1858-09-03

doctrine, but is as old as our government.
For both the National and State govern
monts wore coustructed, and have been
maintained upon that principle. Yet We
hcarit worry frequently spoken Of IN conpec-
tion with Mr.. Douglas and his political
prospects, as though IL wcro a new thing.
just brought to light, which would soon
work out most desirable state Of things.
"fiavc not the majority the right 10
rule |" is frequently asked with an apparent
mir Of triumph, as though there wore but
ono unqualified affirmative answer.
Admit that no other than an affirmative
answer will be given by an intelligent per-
son, il does not follow that majority in
their ruling have right to do a wrong
In other words, the action Of this majority
is to be strictly confined within the limits Of
justice, based on the equal rights Of all per-
sons to be affected by such legislation. 1
scarcely need to ask II majority have tho
right to sanction theft, robbery, adultery
and murder. And il Is equally clear that
they have no right TO pass laws that dis
crimnate between certain classes Of tho
people, imposing burdens on some, that 9TH
ers are exempt from. Nor have the major
ity tho right to take away any natural right
from any person, though that majority be
as greas as nincty-nino to one.
Suppose for illustration the Legislature
of Ohio Ithe legislature being a representa-
tire Of majority of the people } when il
happens TO DO democratic, should lay tho
whole burden of taxation on the republi-
cans exempting all the democrats; or, if
the legislature republican, should lay tb.
whole taxation on the democrats Or, sup
posing this Legislature should authorize
every man Of certain political stripe, or
that possessed certain amount Of proper
ty, to have as many wives or concubines as
no could influence to succumb to his wishes,
including tho privilege Of seducing his
neighbor's wife; but mako il n crime for
any other man to have but one wife. Or
suppose that this legislature should tako the
right of suffrage from all persons who are
poor, and have to depend on their daily Ia
bcr for support, and should further decree,
that these poor should be under the control
Of the wealthy, so that the ayails Of their
labor should 60 for the benefit Of others,
and finally the Legislature provide that
these poor, should be bought and sold, and
that their children to ths latest generation
should be kept ignorant and poor, and oc-
cupy the conditions Of their parents.
Now all this might Be the work Of a ma
jority, but what person caa admit that such
legislation would be right. Is there man
worthy Of place in civilized society, who
would not trample under his feet, all such
enactmenss, and deeply dstsst the man who
would seek TO bring about such state of
society. ael iansfsH
But Mr.. Douglas and his friends have in
troduced and seek to establish the idea that
majority may lawfully establish slavery,
which involves the right to make slavss.---
Slavery in detail embodiss the most Of
tho crimes known among men, and as q
whole, constitutes the greatest crime that
can be committed against man. In the
system Of slavery there is robbery 20 deep
that il reaches the intellect, tho heart, and
the soul Of its victim. There too is oppres-
sion, so broad, and 30 cruel, that ssser
wrencbing from tho man all the means
Of securing comfort for himself, or for those
he loves, it seeks to crush oil the finer
sensibilitios Of the human soul Slavery
also opens the door for fornication and adul-
terry, and no censure is found upon its stat
ute books. Here too is murder in its most
lingering and honid form, in the case OF
those who overwork their victims, as well
as those who Withhold suitable food or tako
life by direct acts Of cruelty. 90 O.
All this and more, is involved in slavery;
not an abuse of it, but is part Of the sys-
tom. II a man may be reduced to the con-
dition of property he is subject to all the
laws of property; and who consults the
rights, the wishes, or the wants of his prop
erty. A universal law Of property is, THAI
tho owner may use it as he pleases, without
any reference to right in tho article itself.
1t is evident that Mr.. Douglas' doctrine
is most shameful and dangerous abuse of
the doctrine of Popular Sovereignty in the
matter of ruling. If majority can have
the right to cnslave the minority. they may
order their removal from the country, or in
fact may destroy them, as they might any
other articles of property or animals that
wsre burdensome. The majority that waa
left might divide, and the next minority
share the same fate, and 50 on, until the
whole community would be annihilatad.--
Douglas doctrine is neither more nor loss.
than that brute force may take the place Of
law, or that might makes right, aud If uni
yersally adopted, would not merely reduce
fha huu.a, fou..I.