The Washington union., 1858-03-04
THE MAJORITY RULE.

There a few democrats who much excr-
cised fearing that the majority in Kansas may be
cheated out of their rghtful control They ALL too,
utterly object to being held to account for opposing
the admission of Kansas into the Union. We have
given views of that matter pointing to the de-
mocracy of the country the source OF authority
who hold the powers Of accommodation. We
must however, add a suggestion that the rerograde
democrats who sensitive lest the minority IN
Kansas shall gain control ought at least to set an ex-
ample at home of obedience TO the will OF the ma
jority. Out of hundred and sxty-hve demo
cratic members of the national Legislature, over
one hundred and forty are in for admission Here
is case in point, and lay it before that little
body of protestants, who to talk about nothing
else than the sovereign will Of the majority. The
House and the Senate require certain number of
members TO be present to constitute quorum.
Thus organized, majority voting-not of the whole
number elected and qualified to vote--pass laws
which bind the country. To reduce this little
more, fraction over one quarter of the members
elected can enact valid laws. 1t is said however,
that the democratic party in its national conventions
requires two-thrds vote. That is all very true. The
cut off every conceivable objection to the nomina
tons that might be made. The two-thirds rule
then measure of party policy; that adherence to
nominations might, with the better reason, be
acted and enforced In the notice, we
are willing to be governed by the same rule in de-
Gliding the character of the measure for which we
claim, as think with great justice, strict party
fidelity 1t is idle to talk about the value or force
of party discipline, if little squad of objectors may,
at any moment of pinch desert their coors and run
off to the enemy. Mr.. Seward arrest the
other day for giving single vote for an administra-
ton measure. Mr. Hale proclaimed him at once a
wicked renegade, and set all the hounds in the pack
howling at his heels. Mr.. Seward is a sturdy old
mas, and took it all coolly enough, to be sure. We
note this incident in the enemys lines, with view
of interfering in their affairs but just to set it up as
matter of discipline the other side, to show
what they regard party issues. In fact they are
united as one man, as party organization, and as a
party measure against admission.
We respectfully suggest that in this condition of
things the republicans remarkably well posted.
If defeated, they appeal to democratic sources
for evidence of the bad faith and dishonesty of the
democracy, and can summon Mr.. Douglas, Mr..
Walker, Mr.. Wise, and Mr.. Stanton from side if
they are not already theirs, to testify against us
If successful they will have the Kansas matter open
for future operations with the advantage of quite a
force of democratic recruits to help them along. We
commend these considerations to the Philadelphia
| Press which is anxious to be advised whether ad-
mission is, OF not, to be regarded as democratic
measure We might, also, intimate to the Press
that it would be we'll to consult the action of the
democracy of its own State upon this question