The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-08-26
Majorities and MinOrities.

The New York Tribune having re-
marked that the right of the majority
to rule is regarded as the cornerstone
of our government, and that it is
right that rests upon the not too vio-
lent assumption that the views of a
majority are usually entitled to larger
measure of respect than the views of a
minority, these assertions have called
forth sharp structures from journals of
the mugwump variety. If there is one
thing more disagreeable than another
to the mugwump mind, it is the con-
viction that the majority of the polit-
ical party with which the mugwump
politicians hold nominal connection
cannot be forced to yield to the dicta-
ton and tyranny of mere faction, Of
course the minority has certain rights,
but not the right to defy the popular
voice and treat the majority with con-
tempt, nor the right to dictate terms to
the majority and control its action.
The majority of a political party will,
in most cases, represent the sentiment,
the thought and the desire of nine
tenths of the organization. To substi-
tute the will of the minority for the
judgment of the majority would event.
ually result in party disintegration.
No intelligent and candid republican
will contend that his party does not
make mistakes, or that the majority is
incapable of error; but he recognizes
that party organization is properly a
means to an end, and that it is only
the majority that can give distinctive
form and voice to the sentiment and
conviction of the party. In every po-
litical organization, and in every polit-
ical canvass, some personal preferences
and opinions must be sacrificed to Sc
cure the general good and success of
the whole. This, however, was not
the position of the independents last
year. Failing to gain their nominal
ends in the national convention, they
repudiated the right of the majority to
make other nominations than those
which would be acceptable to the mi
nority-thus virtually claiming that a
fraction of one-tenth of the party
should be permitted to control the ac-
ton of the other nine-tenths. 1t is
plain that if the Independents persist
in their adherence to this absurd doc
trine, neither of the great political
parties will be particularly anxious to
welcome them to membership.
The issue is replete with conse-
quences of vital Importance. We can
always respect the genuine exercise of
conscience in political affairs, as in the
other concerns of the world, but we be-
lieve that the Independent movement
of last year was inspired very largely
by malevolence and prejudice. The
independents strained at gnats and
swallowed camels. They could not en-
dure Mr.. Blaine because of his alleged
acts of corruption, but they could ac-
cept Mr.. Cleveland with his somewhat
unsavory personal and political record.
They did not like that gallant soldier
General Logan, because he was a
''practical politician" but they could
vote for Mr.. Hendricks with his unpa
triotic war record and bourbon views
True political independence would have
dictated a more consistent course thar
this. Liberty of political action, wher
it is rightly used, must ever be re
spected, but the abuse of this higl
privilege must be condemned. A pc
litical party may sometimes be Justly
criticised for its hardness in the adop
ton of progressive principles ant
measures; but it does not deserve to bt
ruthlessly slaughtered because its can
didates may not please everybody, o
the many will not submit to thu
dictation of the few. Republicans whit
hope to maintain their party organiza
ton in effective condition, to the ent
that its principles shall finally prevail
cannot endorse the Independent view o
the subsection of majorities to minor
tiles. Even defeat in battling for tn
supremacy Of sound theories in gov
ernmental and party policies is bette
and more honorable than victory unde
conditions calculated to hamper and de
lay their development and ultimat
triumph.
The State Of Business.
The business outlook, as outlined i