The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-22
TYRANNY OF MINORITIES.
DO the Miterate, irresponsible and
Resentful Rule?

Nv -"
Resentful Rule?
To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Str: Ar
editorial article In THE q OF June IL
quotes Dr. Butler as saying that "ths
surest test by which we may judge
whether n people is really free Is the
amount OF security enjoyed by minori-
ties" The article remarks further
The tyranny Of maJorIties. f~etterins
trade, lettering the harmless habits and
pleasures Of minorities: against this tyr
amy free" Americans do not slway'
combat successfully.
In referring to our present custom OF
rule as "thc tyranny OF majoritles' does
not tue SrS fall short of its usually
precise name of referring 20 the Ills
from which we suffer? Would ThE
Sun affirm seriously that any OF the
oppressive legislation under which we
are aEgering really represents "A ma
Jority preference of our population?
To carry Dr. Buffers thought a step
further. what are we to say OF the
freedom" of a people among whom a
tolerant government 10y mlJOrities has
progressed. SO TO speak, 10 that still
more advanced stage of a practical aban-
Comment Of government to minorities?
What OF that state Of society In which
organized factions ave developed tho
power to exercise the tyranny formerly
asserted by majorities, and habitually
make use OF that power In the ordinary
course If legislation?
II seems impossible to doubt that
sucn a condition OF affairs has existed
In this country for some time, and tends
steadily to become more characteristic
OF our institutions. For this, that and the
other purpos OF restricting the conduct
of the people. energetic propaganda are
started and urged forward by the zeal
GUS efforts OF those who make adher-
euce to their exceptional views the price
OF their political support. Minority or
carnations of singleness OF purpose and
concentrated activity impress OH our
legislators and executives the power OF
their united votes. And the great mass
of our citizens, not devoted to an ex-
elusive idea. occupied In the pursuit OF
their ordinary affairs and not prop
erly aroused to the threatened encroach-
ment on their liberties. permit those
vigilant mlnorit!es TO intimidate our
titular rulers with tho threat of their
concerted vengeance, with the result that
practically all the so-called progress
sive" laws under which we live repre-
sent nothing less obnoxious than the
tyranny OF the lesser part OF u peo-
pie over the greater.
Perhaps tho most notorious example
Va Nhls lIlfllll'l VI HiA'bVNbEIIIlSl mas
been tho domination OF Congress by
labor union!sn. Another may be found
In the record OF certain OF our State
Legislatures In favor Of woman suf-
frage under the pressure OF a mall
balance OF male citizens who would vote
solidly 20 defeat any candidate known
20 oppose the Acknowledgement OF women
Even worse are the cases OF those States
in which woman suffrage has been
HInnFEI - TtffaTh tina IA 9 .FNftsNpV .efn~Fg
OK an insignificant proportion OF the
men and as a consequence OF the in
difference Of the larger number. And
the retention OF prohibition in Maine in
spite OF a general knowledge OF It's
failure 20 accomplish It's purpose doubt
less iinds a parallel in other States
where the experiment has been entered
upon and adhered to contrary to the
true judgment of the communities.
These are larger illustrations Of the
tyranny 81 m!norities but the list might
he extended almost indefinitely In lesser
concerns.
Dur Government has ceased TO be
representative. and has degenerated TO
tho misrepresentation of infatuated
furor!sts. We have not ever tho con-
ISOLATION OF knowing that We are mis-
represented 10y the wlsest and sanest
and best among our citizens. but by
hose least qualified 20 guide our igno-
rance in the paths OF intelligence. We
are ruled by m!norlties OF the most
sll!terate and resentful among our peo-
pie, by minor!ties OF the most unsexed
ana irresponsible, by mlnor!Gts OF tho
most intolerant and impractical. by mi
norities OF the most visionary and In
competent. We are a nation of pre-
occupied simpletons ~oewlldered by
b.i,herins oaoblers
Is not this defect OF government In
truth tho fundamental weakness OF a
democracy Is Il not an inhrm,ty
deeper In Significance and Sraver in
menace than even the well recognized
disadvantage under which n popular
government labors in seeking 70 safe
guard its national integrity? Is not
the latter. IN present conditions largely
a consequence OF the former. as typiied
by the activities o. tho 'H!ttle navy"
tho soc'al!stic and tho pAc!iist oppos,-
ton TO defensive prepGration2 For who
can question that tho overwhelming
sentiment Of our nation during every
year OF the past seventeen has favored
a genuinely adequate navy? And as
our people extend their aspirations OF
and their ~persuasions OF moral
responsibility for others. can there b.
any possible hope Of escape from this
lntolorant and intolerable yoke OF en-
s~lavenlent 20 the within OF every deter
mined cahal OF misguided enthusiasts?
In short, is II humanity possible for any
conceivable form OF government prop
"rly TO represent the vii. Of the people
In us broader and saner development?
FRED MErcALF.
P~LAISFIELp, n. J.. June q.