The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1957-12-05


We have been so intent upon
protecting minorities tn a We
sometimes forget that the majority
also has rights and is equally en-
titled to protection against viola
ton of those rights by the minority.
We operate under a system OF
majority rule, but a preponderence
of our laws are designed to pro-
tect minorities from aggression by
the majority. It has been said
that we are nation in which the
majority rules In favor of the mi
nority.
Certainly, in no other nation in
the world are the rights of mi
nority groups so amply protected
as in the United States. That is
a basic principle Of our Constitu-
ton and Bill of Rights, and none
of us would vote to change it.
That, naturally, raises the ques-
ton of definition of majority. Is
it the majority of city, a county.
q State or the Nation? In what
matters does the majority of the
Nation have the right to over-rule
the ma ajority of State?
The rule by majority is firmly
established democratic principle,
but we should recognize that It
also has It's limitations and dam
gers when carried to extremes. 1t
can create resentments that en-
danger democratic government.
One of the finest traits of our
American Character, I think, Is
80 a ncf ftay y.i q
the under-dog, for the little man
against the big man, for little busi-
ness against big business. Some
times, however, We don't bother
to find out which is right and
which is wrong.
It has always been that way,
from the time the first settlers
came TO this country because they
were prosecuted minority groups in
their homeland. They built uation
and government dedicated to pro-
viding maximum protection for mi
norities.
This country is composed OF
mary minorities-raciaI, nation OF
origin, political and religious
groups, and occupations. 1t Is only
when many of those combine that
they constitute a majority.
Communists are a minority
group in this country. About the
only restriction we place on them
is that they not teach or openly
advocate the overthrow OF the gov
ernment by force or violence. But
all of us know that is their primary
objective.
Our laws and our courts give
them full protection. The argu-
ment Is that SO long as commu-
nists are such a small minority
they are no great threat to our
republican form of government
Aren't we just bit naive?
This, however, suits the COM
munists just fine. They know
from experience that there arc
certain advantages in being mi
nority in this country. They have
demonstrated in other countries
| that it Is possible for the minority
to rule the majority.
When they gain control they
have no consideration for the
rights of the majority. Already ;
few communists impose their die
tatorial rule by force over almos
half of the people OF the world.
Even in Russia fewer than So
| of the people belong to the com
| munist party A few men rule th
country by force and terror. II
| China the percentage of commu
nists is even smaller. The right
| of the majority are taken away
The people of Poland, Hungary
| Rumania, CzechosloVakia, Yugo
slavia, and East Germany hav
found that when the communist,
gain control there Is no easy re
turn 70 democracy. Freedom
valued most highly in those ma
tions where it is denied the people
| Isn't it about time we begin +
give more consideration TO the pro
lection of the rights OF the ma