The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-14
4 VOICE FROM THE PAST.

In another part of this issue Of the
nearly forty years ago by Macaulay, the
English historian. which possesses pecul-
lar interest at this time. Macaulay was
an honest and sincere monarchist. a Tory
of Tories. and made no concealment OF
his distrust of democratic government. in
this letter he declares these views very
decidedly, and gives his reasons for main
tanning them with a frankness that must
command respect. even though one may
differ from his conclusions. 1t must be ad-
mitted that they are strongly stated and
that from an a priori standpoint his rea-
soning is good, but we do not think it
will stand the test of close analysis.
First. Lord Macaulay. writing in 1861.
declared that 'in Europe where the popu-
lation is dense" republican Institutions
were impossible. and cited the case of
France. which. after a brief and disastrous
experiment in that direction, had reverted
to a monarchy. Yet. since then. republican
government has been firmly established
in France, and at present there is not a
stronger government nor a more prosperous
people i'm Europe than those of France.
Describing the France of 1857 Macaulay
said. Liberty is gone, but civilization has
been saved" To-day he would have TO
say. royalty has gone and civilization is
vastly the gamer. He would have to adj
nit, also. that the democratic idea has
made great progress in other European
countries, and especially in England, with
out weakening government, and TO the
manifest advantage of the people.
Macaulay wrote this letter before our
civil war. 1t is true that was not the kind
of a danger that he predicted would be-
fall this country. but it was so severe a
test of republican Institutions. and the
government came out of it so triumphant
". that he certainly would have had to
qualify his expressions had he written
after instead of before the war.
ut is quite plain" says Macaulay, that
your government viii never be able to
restrain a distressed and disconnected ma
lOIlIN. fOI WIFI NOu lAt lHdIOIllN II III
government. and has the rich. who are
always a minority. absolutely at its mer-
cy. The day will come when. in the State
of New York, a multitude of people,
none of whom has had more than half a
breakfast. or expects TO AVE more than
half a dinner, will choose a legislature.
Is. it possible to doubt what sort of
legislature will be chosen?" This is AIacau-
layan and brilliant. but 1t is fallacious.
1t is indeed true that a minority cannot
control or repress a majority. but 1t is
not true that a discontented majority in
any State of the Union can overthrow
republican government. or that laws con-
travening the Constitution of the United
states can be enacted and enforced in any
State. If a discontented or lawless ma
jority in the State of New York should
attencpt to do that the President of the
United States could call out the militia
of every other State in the Union TO pre-
vent 1t. The people OF Maine. of Texas
and of California would have something
10 say before republican government in
New York could be overthrown. The
Constitution says the United States shall
guarantee TO every State in this Union
a republican form of government" and
IL gives the President authority 70 call
out the entire military force of the Union
to suppress anarchy and insurrection.
There is just one condition. and only one.
that can cause the overthrow or downfall
of this government, and that is the COM
bined action or consent of a majority Of