The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-07-12
PRoPoRrIoNAL REPREsE, TAT1oN

Address Delivered Before the Calhoun
and Preston Literary Societies OF
wofYord College, by Colonel John p.
Thomas.
The welI-digested and mastery address
upon 1.-THE Science Of Government" delivered
by Colonel j. P. Thomas before the literary so
cieties ofwoftord College, on the 2sth ult.,
will, we believe, be be.published in full BY. the
Calhoun and Preston Societies. In view,
however, of the wide interest which the ques-
ton of proportional Representation" has
excited, especially In connection with recent
events in Illinois, we have obtained the con-
sent Of the author to print so much Of the ad-
dress as relates to that important subject:
From the formation of society down to the
present period, the question of Government
has engaged the attention Of the best and
wisest men. And from Aristotle, the Stagirite,
| to Calhoun, the South Carollnian, theory
upon theory has been set FORTH and views
more or less acceptable to mankind have been
| elaborated. Nor can 1t be denied that this Is q
subject worthy Of supreme consideration.
| Looking to the progress of mankind, to an
advancing civilization, to the fulflment OF
mans destinies upon earth, no matter what
ever can be deemed of more Importance than
that which relates to free governmental prln.
| ciples. This Is, indeed. noble theme, ana
! than which none nobler has ever, for worldly
ends, evoked human effort. It is in truth q
great cause, well calculated to arouse patriot
! Thought, as It has been, over and over again,
| In the worlds history, been rendered conse
crate forever by free and rich libatioDs OF
patriot blood. The subject Of government ts
| n h1n mol Iva O q
| is important. To comprehend 1t thoroughly,
would require depth Of reflection, profun-:
dity of thought, o mental grasp and fund Of
knowledge. historical ,!and philosophical, to
which few. .intelleets can reasonably aspire.
To this achievement an unaffected diHdence
ct once wlthholds us from advancing: We
must, of course, decline to enter that broad
have put forth their efforts. We do not pro
pose to grapple with the question Of Govern
ment, in its length, and depth and breadth.
To essay an undertaking 30 great, Is within
the scope neither Of our time nor of our refec-
lions. Our design is far less pretentious. 1t
| Is to devote our time upon this occasion to q
\ brlet analysis Of one feature Of every just ana
/ well-regulated governmental system. This is
proportional representation, or the means
whereby the rights Of minor!ties may be Be-
| cured.
In our judgment, this is the great problem
connected with numerical representation.
| And now more than ever does this problem
call for prompt and decisive solution. 1.-THE
tendency Of the age, when rightly inter-
preted BY the signs of the times, unequiv-
ocally points to universal manhood suffrage,
how important 1t Is that such q represen-
tative system be devised as shall give an
adequate and equitable share OF influence
TO minoritles. Certain 1t is that the legislative
excuses to which numerical majorities are
i L4- hA1a mi
Certain 1t Is that the imperfections OF numeri-
| cal representation, as IL Is now constituted,
should be cured. Certain it is that If majori-
| ties can take care Of their interests, some or
ganism should be provided for the protection
Of minorities. No one will affirm minor,tles
must be left at the mercy Of the stronger ele-
ment of the majority. No one will claim that
minorities have only such rights as the pleas
ure of majorities may concede. The PROPOSE
tlon is menstrous. Consider now the practl-
cal operation Of the present representation
system. Observe how unfair is the working.
In community of one hundred voters, fifty
one elect representative, and this represen-.
tative Is supposed to represent the wants and
Views Of the one hundred voters, whereas he
really represents only the f1ity-on voters who
elected him, leaving the other forty-nine
voters without any representation whatever.
Need It be suggested that O system like this is
radically detective in many. respects, and
wholly wanting in the element of equity !?
Need 1t be further demonstrated that the pres
ent representation system demands the en-
grating upon 1t of a new, hitherto untried
feature? We hold that it.clearly and urgently
does.
We maintain, further, that the cause Of pop
ular governments, for lts own preservation
and extension, imperatively requires reform
of the system Of mere majority representation.
The issue is, reform or death. Let'the system
operate as 1t stands at presentITefhse to
make the required change, aud it will be-. seen
that the cause OF personal government will be
found to contest the field with popular govern
ment, and that wearled and bewildered peo-
pie will seek relief from the tyranny of the
many, and consent to remain content In The
more tranquil shades Of empires and mon
archies. D.. ~.
recognition Of the point we are~ seeking to
make, that proportional representation Is the
creed of all the men in the front rank of the
party of movement We accept the pro-
position. We maintain the principle. The
representation of minorlties is undoubt-
edly the grand desideratum in govern
ments that rest upon universal suffrage It is
the one thing needful; and that legislator who
shall succeed In deyising the organism where
by this principle of reform representation may
be enthroned, and who shall have 1t made part
and parcel of the fundamental law OF this c9un-
try. will be richly entitled to the laurels of a
new, progressive and enlightened statesman
ship. More than patriot, he would be the
benciactor of the world. i-l.:s : -
Furthermore, it may be remarked that this
Is o question that the new order OF things In
the civilized world presses for a solution. For
long and weary period, we have. seen the
masses struggling for their inalienable right.
Now, the cause OF the people seems every
where asserting itself. In Russia, In Austria,
|. In Prussia, In Italy, in Spain, in Portugal, in
France, In England, ingIreland, popular de-
mands seem'to be the paramount sentiment,
and concessions the general rule. Rulers fly
before the gathering storm, Emperors and
Kings bow their LOFTY heads before the majesty
of the people, and wisely compromise with o
growing power that threatens to invade all the
stronghoids Of time-honored prerogative.-
When the waters Of some mighty river over
leap their accustomed barriers and overflow
the surrounding plains the question OF once
arises how to direct and utilize the inundation,
and the question Is no longer whether we shall
have the flood or not. So, now that States
seem 10 be rapidly tending TO universal sui
frase and its cOncomitant features, numerical
rule and majority representation, the question
Is not whether this system Is wise or not,
whether premature or not, but rather now
shall 1t be regulated for the public good.
Hence, the question we propose briefly TO
consider-how shall proportional representa-
tion be secured?
And first, allow US to remark that this sub
ject Is by no means new one. Ever since
the close OF the last century, minority repre-