The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-03-13


Up to within a few years past, it was re-
garded as an axiom in American politics
" that the majority should rule" 1t is evil
dent that the trainers of the government ex-
pected it to be conducted on that principle.
In order, however, to prevent the rights of
minorities from being trampled under the
feet of arrogant mejorities, they erected GER
tain safeguards behind which minorities
might defend themselves. Hence, in all
our legislative bodies, we find there are linn
its prescribed 10 majorities, beyond which
they cannot go without doing violence to
the rules established for their government
A vast number of dilatOry motions-on
each of which the ayes and noes can be call
ed-are allowed so that no Objectionable
laws can be forced through a law-making
body in hot haste and in spite of the oppo-
sition of a minor portion of that body. 1t
has not uLfrequently happened that a reso-
lutte, sagacious minority have absolutely
killed a measure TO which they objected
by wearying out a not equally determin-
ed majority. But after all the expedients
they had established failed to crush at
tempted legislation, they anticipated that
the minority would acquiesce for the time
being and appeal to the people for a reversal
of the, to them, odious law or principle. If
the people endorsed their view of the mat
ter, the next session of the same body would
witness the repeal of the Objectionable legis-
lation. On the contrary, if they endorsed
the action of the majority of the previous
assembly, the minority could only submit
with the best grace possible with an ac-
acknowledgement that the wishes of the peo-
pie must be Obeyed.
That this is the only course that can be
pursued with safety in popular governments
every intelligent man can readily under
stand. When this system is abandoned and
a minority sets itself up as revolutionary
body, awaiting itself of the rules adopted
for its protection to overthrow the domi-
nant party, and, in case the rules fail, to
repudiate them and prevent any legislation
whatever, except such as accords with their
notions of propriety and justice-when
this principle is established, patriots will
have reason to mourn over country totter-
ing on the brink Of ruin, and liberals every
where sorrOwfully be compelled to acknowl-
e1ge the failure of the great experiment
made by our people at self government.
Anarchy in its most repulsive form will
stalk abroad through the land. Confidence
will be destroyed Revolution will succeed
revolution in quick succession, aud impene-
trable gloom will enshroGGi the whole ma
ton.
That we are slowly but surrey drifting in
the direction indicated, a glance at the le-
gislation of the country for few years back
Enthusiastically demonstrates. The maxim
" the majority shall govern" is now render
ed the majority shall govern, if they gov
ern as the minority direct" If they fail to
do this, revolution is the mode of redress.
This is the theory of the Secessionists in
the Southern States and the principle which
governs the Democratic members of our
State Legislature The poison seems to
have insidieusly penetrated every part of
the Oody poluc' anu the great subject for
legislators is-not what laws are best
for the government of the people, but what
laws will be most acceptable to factions
minority.
1t has ever been the boast of the DEM
ocratic organization that they were not
afraid to take upon themselves great re8pon-
sibilities. The democrats of the General
Assembly which has just closed its labors at