Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-06-07
For Tie Innurrer.

the Chrastiam Ambassador, a Universalist
periodical published in Auburn N. Y. The
editor, heretofore, has stpdiously avoided the
discussion Of political topics in the columns of
the .fm5assaf0r, as unsuitable to a religious
journal which is patronized by people of all
parties. But these are questions sometimes,
which, growing out of the agitation of polit-
ical principals, and having vital interests at
stake attain to an Importance that elevates
them above all party considerations. Such |
believe to be the question of the Union or the
Disunion of our National Uonfederaey which
now agitates the public mind in every part Of
our common country. If the South do not
want war they have marvellous way of show
ingit. They have captured troops, forts &C., and
committed acts of war which, if aimed at
foreign nation, would long since have plunged
them into bloody contest What the North
desire, is, that the Constitution and laws Of the
United States, which the people of the South
have pledged themselves to support and obey,
shall be carried into effect in every portion of
the Union, until legally annulled or changed.
Unless this be done there is no government to
protect the people, and we all at the mer-
ey of vast mob. To say that to enforce le-
gal laws to which ali have given their consent
is to enskare those who are bound to obey, is
to utter priciple subversive of all govern
ment, order and safety. Can any individual
show single instance in which the Uonsntu-
ton and Laws of the United States have been
unjustly administered toward any of the Ssce-
ded States If governments derive their
just powers from the consent of the govern
ed" where does the government of South
Carolina or any one of the Southern States
derive its power to bold 10 slavery, and to
govern thousands of their people l---Not by
their ''eonsent," certainly.
Bat here is the article 10 question, aud
wish you to publish it for the qualification of
the numerous readers of the Inquirer.
As.
The Basis OF the Government.
What is the distinction between q Despot-
ism and Democratic or Republican form of
government Briefly, it is this-In the for
mer, the authority rests in an irresponsible
tadimduat. In the latter, the people hold the
power to govern in their own hands, aud exer-
else ii through representatives responsible to
them for the faithful discharge of their duty.
The principle on which Republics are bas-
| ed, is, that the will of the Majority shall
prevail, and that the Minority shall submit
This principle is indispensable and yilal.-
Without 1t Democracy can by no possibility
exist. If the voice Of Minority was allowed
| to prevail, the question would Immediately
arise-REat portion of the Minority shall con-
| troll the government For it is easy to con-
ceira, and, indeed, il often occurs, that Mi
noritiss are divided into majorltaeS and minor
tiles. If the principle is sound and practical
Bile that in dny case Minority shall govern,
it is sound aud practicable in all cases, and
should be faithfully carried out. On this
plan, the Minority of Minority should hold
the controlling power, down through all
divisions that may occur among the people
on governmental questions, until carried to
its final result, an individual, standing ss
Minoritg of Minorities, would bave and ex.
| ercise TIE right to declare his will the Law
Of the Land, and demand that all Msjorities
shall Weld to, and obey, his mandates
This demand be would have the rlght to en-
! force, and tcouid enforce, did be possess the
power. find this Deutd be a Despotism.-
| No; Democratic government eaO By no pos
sibility exist, except on the principle that the
viii Of the Majority shall, in all cases prevail,
| and dictate the law for the time being.
But irresponsible Majorities may abuse their
power and trample on the rights and privileg
es of Minorities This cannot we'll be affirm
sense Of Justice and liberty, of political right
/ Ill
| lish successfully Democrats form Of goV~
ernment. That one class of such people will
! knowingly and deliberately oppress another
| class of their fellow-citzens, at least, for any
considerable length of time, is a supposition
unWarrented by sound logic, and unsupported
by history. Admitting, however, that such an
abuse of power may occur, what then? The
remedy is at hand--an appeal to the UhoIe
people for a redress of grievances. Such Is
the inherent sense of Justice and Right es-
tablished 10 the human heart by the Creator,
that an appeal of this nature could not fall IN
due tImes to secure the needed relief. The
authors of the wrong, and the party which ef-
evated them to power. would speedily be re-
duced to Minority, and the evil complained
Of removed. The history of parties in our
country, clearly establishes the existence Of
this safe, peaceful aud certain remedy for po-
litical injustice. In Republic, there is nc
necessity and no apology, fer insurectlon
or revolution. With patience and courage
to endure temporary wrong, and with intel.
ligence aud zeal 10 make the wrong seen and
felt, the sient ballot will, sooner or later with
unfaiIing certainty. Fe-5alance the seals o
Justice, and the injured shall be smply right
cd.
In the light Of these reflections let the read
er consider the prescott condition of our couE.