The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-12-09
Voc Populi.

Voc Populi.
"Vox PopuIi vox Del " was the fayorite
watchword of those unprrcipled dcma.
gagues who, during the decay of the Ro-
man republic, succeeded in corruptirg the
public mind, AID finally, in destroying the
CJhmonwealth. In the natural world we
lind every atom Of matter governed by in.
variable and fixed laws. Whenever anv
Of the mineral substances arc held in chem.
ical solution we car tell beforehand that
under favorable circumstances they will
chrystal'zo in certain Discriminate forms.
Under other circumstances. as when min
g'ed with repugnantatons, they either re-.
main in solution or form amorphous mas.
scs. The individual human mind, or the
common mind 81 ~asses af ,Ra4 Mi 4AAoi il
subtitle, are yet as fixed as these which reg
"!atc the marshaling of atoms into tho re.
splcndent diamond. The individual mind
IS like the individual atom. The public
mind is the collocation of the atoms. If
lief. free 10 act and seek its affirit.es it will
chrystalize in healthy public opinion, in
the chrystalino form of Truth, and then
"poz Ispuli" is truly "Nz Dci." But
when public opinion is compelled to take
shape or form in the presence and under
the influence Of passion and PREJUDICE, it
Is no longer public opinion; il is then sim.
ply public passion. We place but little
confidence in the opinions Of the wisest of
men when carried away BY gusts Of pas.
sion, or cropping in the fogs of pr'judice or
self interest; and the opinion of masses Of
men. when subjected to the same unhealthy
influences. Is entitled TO just as little r..
spect and credit at our hands. Public
opinion in the great historic periods of the
world he's oftcner been wrong than right.
and we might say that public opinion. the
world over, is wrong. The. public opinion
OF the mutitudes who have lived since
Adam who would pin his faith to it. or
wish to be judged by it Public opinion
would not take passage in Noah's ark.
Paollc opinion built the tower OF Babel,
II crucitied the Savior Of the World. Il
has burned countless throng of martyrs
at the stake, CT torn them in pcices in the
dens OF wild beasts. Since the world be.
gan, II has stood sentinel on the towers OF
ignorance and thrust its sharp spear at the
breast OF every great bcnefactor OF man.
kind. 1t made Socrates drink Of it's moi.
ssned hemlock, and thrust Galileo in a
dungeon because he made the ,ooyld morc
In fact every step Of advancement that
man has made in his mental or moral de-
velopmcnt has been made against the strong
tide Of public opinion. The Bible. the
Christian religion itself, exists in the
world in opposition to, and in spite Of
public opinion. The enlightened pubic
sentiment Of the so-called civilized world
It is true, cherishes them as tho best hope
u tho race, yet even here il ii doubtful IL
majority do not yield their assent simply
IN Difference to the opinions Of the truly
enlightened and upright minority.
These thoughts, Mr.. Editor, we're sug
efsted to mo The other day, ON reading a
; letter from friend telling me that, MS the
Northern States had gone Republican by
such overwhelming mnjorities, had better
abandon my political connections aud con.
victions, and fall in with the resistless DO.
l't'c'l tide on the principle Of "Vox Populi,
vox Del" This argument has peculiarly
fascinating power over the minds of men.
physically easier to submit than to re.
sist. 1t Is easier to aoat down the ABYSS
OF Niagara Than to stem the tide. tire
1uires nc, mental effort to yield to the pref.
ud,ces Of the thoughtless multitude. 10
assent, reqaises no arglment--to resist,
you must tar the reasoning powers. Most
men delight to float, like the drift wood on
the food, but They are few who willingly
stand like the rocky promontory to be
chafed and worn by every conflicting tide.
Such arguments are fascinating. bat are
they just? He who follows maiorities in
this. country for the sake Of being on the
popular side, must change often in life.
time, The ms Of to-day are the outs Of to
morrow. It is shallow argument to say
"Comc, go with US. we are The majority
we are vox populi, vos Del" Yet, shall
low as II IL, its influence is so great that !,
il the ruling power IN the most popula,
governments. Why does the minority be-
come the nsjeri.yi Simply becausca few
hangers on 20 the oue fall of and attach
themselves to the other Il is few change.
lipes uho make and who unmake MAORI.
~, md Who, BY shifting, maie either side
at win kick ths beam. They Ore to. day
ths governing power Of this country, and,
b sA>~ Ala "a.