The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-08-19

The Advantages of the Representa-
lion OF mInorttIes.
tFrOn, The London Times, dug. IL
1t is now acknowledged that it is de-
sirable minorities should be represents
ed in the House of Commons. The
sturdiest opponents of any method for
securing their representation should be
heard in debate and council, but they
say they are heard now. Mr.. Gladstone
sits rs the representative of the minor
ity in South Lancashire, and In five out
of the eight three mem bered constltu-
encies the minorities have secured rep
resentation. The argument comes to
this-that the Representation Minorities
being desirable, no method should be
adopted to secure it with certainty, be-
cause if we trust to chance ii will be at
tanned in five out of eight cases. Fair
ness may require us to state this plea,
but it does not seem to require refuta-
tion. There are, however, two other
arguments which may be noticed. The
representation of minoriLies will, it is
said, weaken the expression OF the ma
tional will, and this might in critical
times involve us in danger. We in
vite those who raise this objec.
ton TO observe that as Lord Cairns
amendment requires the existence of a
minority equal to third in order 10
secure one member out of three, II
cannot occasion an over-representation
of minorities. What, then, is the result
of the method2 Simply this-that the
representative Assembly will express
with perfect exactness the national
will. Ifthe Will of the nation be clear,
the majority in the Assembly will be
decisive; If il be cautious and hesita-
ting, the majority will be small; if it
be indecisive, the majority mny waver.
In all cases, a truthful and not a false
representation of the mind of the ma
ton will be secured, and until some
serious reason is adduced for believing
that the will of the people should be
misrepresented we shall hold thisifact
conclusive. II critical times come, as
come they may, the nation Will be
equal to them, and its represe natives
in Parliament will speak with no un-
certain voice. But let it be observed
that the existence and maintenance of
n truly representative Assembly is the
best guarantee against crisis, because
1t is security for the presence of the
moderating wisdom of the country in
the ruling assembly. We are told to
say, referring to an instance which has
has been much dwelt upon, that
had the House of RepreSentdtiveS of the
United States been III truth Whdt IL pllr-
ported By its name to be, an Assembly
representing the whole people of The
States, the secession of the South pouLd
HeUer hdUe been accomplished. 1t is an
historical fact that the Southern repre-
sentatives at Washington were all mem
bers of the most extreme party, COM
posed of men who had tried to persuade
themselves that Slavery was a Divine
institution. The minority in the South,
deprived of all power, dwtndled away.
The slRve-owners who at the time OF
the Revolution deplored the existence
OF Slavery and desired Its abolition
witness WASHINGTON himself-Rradu-
ally diminished, and, though never
wholly extiDguished, their voices were
unheard in the House of Representa-
tives. On the other hand, the States of
New Eugland-themselYes happily free
from the curse which their kinsmen had
inherited-sentt to Washington men un-
able, from want of a similar experience,
TO understand or sYmpRthize with the
difficulties of the South. What was
intended by the founders of the Repub-
lie to be q consultative House became
the battlefield of two hostile armies,
and when the more turbulent were out
numbered they endeavored to abro-
gate the Union. Men appeal to the
experience of the States; we call
them to witness against that sys-
tenn of intrusting all power of
election to local ajorities which
superficial observers suppose their
history supports. Inc example oil the
Union is equally powerful in disposing
OF the remaining argument against the
representation OF mInorities. II is said |
that 1t will throw the control of cleo
tions into the hands of managers, and
put electors under the domination of a
ticket" Those who advance this ar
gument cannot have examined II. Is
not the phenomenon OF the ''tIcket'' the |
consequence in the States of throwing
the whole power into the hands of a
majority, 80 that unless a man subjects
himself wholly to the organization of
his party, he Is powerless, helpless,
hopeless2 Do we not, ON smaller
scale, see the same thing here when |
electors are bound to accept club can
didateR The limitation of the power
of majority, SO far from aggravating
this evil, will most effectually reduce |
it. Voters will know that though they |
may be a minority, they can return |
their own member, and they will be
encouraged TO rebel against the thrall- |
dom of managers. The idea Of the rep
reSentdtioH OF HIin0Tities is, indeed, |
nothing more nor less than The liberation
Of The individual from the bondage in
tr6ieh he noto hes5 It's perfect realization
is that tT-lte democracy cficH eIliistS all
JorHls of thought, Qt Intelligence, and Of
pot6er n die political life Of the nation,
and converts the Representative As
sembly which directs our destinies, |
fntn O Tnfaronoano af tho au1pfra