The Russellville Democrat., 1890-03-20
REEDS TYRANNY.
Congressman c. R. BreclinrIdge Explains What Is Meant By the Right of the Major
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 The New York World of Sunday published the following comments upon the situation in Congress, from the pen of Hon. c. K. Breckinrldge. member of Congress from Arkansas. Mir. Brecklnrldge says:
 The American System Of govern ment is complex and not simple. A is a simple government, but not a free one. The will of a mob is simple, but 1t is inconsistent with sound ideas of freedom and order. Neither of these construes freedom but one way. Neither limIts the power of the majority or recognizes or protects the rights of the mlnori- ty. The world has done a good deal of experimenting in government, and sle. at least have come to the con esssion that no government is suited 10 tNe wants of highly civilized peo- pie but one that is adapted to all their wants and phases, and hence conservative and complex with checks and balances, with distrbut- ed powers, and we contend for sim- pllcity in the sense of freedom from ostentation, from extravagance, from obscure laws and from any interfer- ance with the freedom of the people not strictly consistent with the ac knowledged functions of government and the needs of civil decency and order.
 We restrain officials, Legislative bodies and even courts, by written law. organic, statute, parliamentary, which in every case 's higher than the person or body acting. Sovereign ty resides in the people aud in the States, each being polent factor Tn organic or constitutional enactment, we require all power to be exercised according to written law.
 We have provided against despot- inns and against anarchy. There is then a written limit and made for every man and for every body of men. Hence when we hear the cry and contention of "the right of the majority to rule," we see that it is incomplete. It sounds like the half truth es centuries ago. The Ameri- can cry is "the right of the majority to rule according to law and here IS exactly the difference between the Republicans in the present con tention and the cry of the Democra cy.
 When our fathers organized the State and Federal Government of our country, they profited by the ex- periments, experiences and failures of mankind for thousands of years. They were men of vast learning and singularly practical and well balanc- ed minds. Their maxims were the same heaven given truths which had been to man as "pearls before swine in ages past, but they did not so use them. They declared pure truth, and only attempted to apply 1t so far as sensible men knew was practi- cable, and now when questions arise, we must consider our system as 1t is, and also consider earthly if it is not about as ought to be: Above all, we must insist that it be adhered to un til ls is changed in the way provided by law Our fathers believed in 'the rule of najorities," but they had the States to deal with as units, and hence we find that in the Senate, a co ordinate branch of Congress, the the power of few thousand people of small State is the same as the millions of the great State of New York.
 This is only one of many ways in which the idea of the rule of the ma jority is limited. We know that un- less man is so perfect that the wis., dom Of majority can be relied upon at all times as infallible these checks are indispensable to secure dlscre- ton and justice. We know also that good cause can afford to wait, for if it be good and the people be wise they will in due time take the additional steps, Tn an orderly and lawful manner, to give it force and effect. If we are not wise enough for this, we certainly are not wise enough to give free rein to our first thoughts and impulses.
 It is only a bad cause and bad purpose that needs to break down by nsurpatlon and force the ancient and unrepealed safeguards of the people. The protection they afford is not the privilege, but is the right of the min ority. The outcry we have made here against the amazing proceed ings of the Speaker of the House and his party associates is address ed to the reason aud conscience of the people.
 Our position is so patent and so just that the Repu blicans have had to bring in rules of procedure and they shrank from taking acton that would enable us to get the question of counting in" quorum before the courts. We mnst yet manage to get it there.
 In the meantime I believe the people will say that the majority shall not continue to eyade the courts. and yet deprive the minority of rights by means which they are afraid to submit to judicial test, the American meaning of ina Iority rule" being that it must be according to law."- Pine Bluff Press Eagle.
 Atkins News.