The sun., 1901-11-16
ETHICS OF MAJORITY RULE.

The statement of the du Pont- 4Ant-Ad
dickstc organ about the ethics of ma
jority rule is true, but is not pertinent
and therefore not argument.
The statement MAJORITY rule is not |
principle OF ethics, will be readily con- |
cetled In this connection it is not
principle. but Il fact in the development
of the ethics of politics and government.
The principles behind majority rule
liberty. justice and truth-are evidently
ethical principles. Therefore instead O
the loose statement Majority rule is not
principle Of ethics. we should say ma
iority rule is founded upon ethical prin-
ciples and think the truth of the state
ment is self evident.
Whatever it may be in the abstract,
principle or eNpedient. the rule of the
minority becomes rule of ethics in its
relation to politics and government in
this country. The first great govern
mental decision of the American people.
the majority of which We think will be
admitted, was decided by majority vote
in the Continental Congress. Whatever
may have occurred previous to the Dec
laration OF Independence in that line.
we think it will be agreed that that i'm
portant decision, in which the makers
of it appealed to God and humanity rs
witnesses Of the rectitude of their mo-
tiyes and who based their hopes Of sue
cess upon the strictly ethical principles
which they enunciated, marked the begin
ming OF majority rule in this country,
where century OF usage in every de-
partment Of human interest has made it
at least a fixed rule in the ethics of
politics and government.
Beginning mt the inception Of the
government the rule Of the majority has
been enacted into law, and has the sane
tion OF usage in every deliberate assem-
bly,. III every council convention or court
where disputed questions are decided and
differences Of opinions are adjusted. The
constitution Of the United States was
adopted by majority vote of the con-
ventiun, and was ratified by a majority
vote Of the States. The Constitutions Of
the various States We're made by convcn,
tions governed by majority rule, and are
as n general thing submitted to a ma
iority vote Of the people for ratification
The Constitution OF the United States
imposes the rule Of the majority upon tht
Supreme Court, and upon both Houses ot
aln rnl la,ri
when tho members represent majority
votes in the various States. The State
Constitutions impose the rule Of TIL
majority upon both houses Of their legis
laturcs. upon their courts, and upon th
citizens in thu election Of State count.
and city officers. NJ great question !,
the politics Of the country. in the churcl
poity in the government If fraternal or
ders, OF in the management Of the gren
financial concerns OF the country, ha
been settled upon any other plan tina
thar of majority rulp Despite asScrtio
10 the contrary there has never been
president elected except hy majority rul
at the top and the bottom. the fir
and last decision Of the momentous que
ton was settled hy majority vote. I'll
cxprlicnt has become the rue-a ru
Of ethics in politics and government.
Il is true that a majority vote do,
not changr the moral quality " \ que
tion III dispute. but that does not cffe
the quality II the decision. The questit
iii the ease in point Is; is il Immoral
disnhey thr law? The law provides Z
thr election Of Senators by majority vot
Tht 'aw &c the party provides for 4
selection ef Senatorial candidates by III
joritv vote. and imposes upon its repr
sentNtivcs the duty ~ sustaining 4
majority vote selecting candidates. The
are 10 penalties provided Tor VIOLATE
or these laws Penalties are purely lee
provisions in law The obligations /
obedience TO the law are all NOR
Hence diSohcdirncr is immoral. Mai,
ity rule iii such case becomes a r.
Of ethics The law providing for I
election 81 Senators is mandatory,
says the Statcs the State Assemblies
"a elect is ta violate thc mandate of
Inv which provides for the election
Senators rs majority vote. But fnrtl
than that and reinforcing tho moral
LEGATION TO perform tho duties of IN
ceptcd position that is imposed ~ the
ceptance. til. members " the minor
who refused to vote with the maiori
sworc 10 obey the law in tho election
Senators. The oath Of office made
obligations 10 obey the law moral .
Cation. That makes dSobcdenor ~
law in this ease immnral--the yinat
OF an oath is surely immoral.
ENpedients adopted in the appicat
of a principle in politics and COVE
ment. modify the effects Of the princil
hut do not destroy il. District repres
tativeS are as much the representati
OF majority vote as are governors Of
State Plurality vote, according 70
dictionary. as in law is majority vot
the largest vote is a majority vote VIII
il is not expressly stipulated in the |
that only majority Of all cast shall
necessary for an election: and ms
matter of strict appliction, Mr.. Addit
received a majority of the votes cast
the recent session of the legislature, a