The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1957-12-06

this country?
We have been so intent upon
protecting minorities that 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 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
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, county,
4 State or the Nation? In what
matters does the majority of the
Nation have the right to over-rule
the majority of a State?
The ''ule by majority is firmly
established democratic principle,
lut we should recognize that 1t
tlso has Its limitations and dam
'ers wllen carried to extremes. It
can create resentments that en-
danger democratic government,
One of the finest traits of our
American Character, think, is
that we almost invariably root for
the under-dog, for the little man
against the big man, for little BUSH
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 70 this country because they
were prosecuted minority groups in
their homeland. They built nation
and government dedicated to pro-
viding maximum protection for mi
noritieS.
This country is composed of
many minorities-racial, nation of
origin, political and religious
groups, and occupations. 1t is only
when many of those combine that
they constitute q majority.
Communists are 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
eminent 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 suck q small minority
they are no great threat to our
republican form of government.
Aren't we just a bit naive?
This, however, suits the COM
munists Just fine. They know
from experience that there are
certain advantages In being q mi
nority in this country. They have
demonstrated in other countries
that 1t is possible for the minority
to rule the majority.
When they gain control they
have no consideration for the
rights Of the majority. Already q
A$W NSAAAAAAAA4Aoto AAAkROoC tAICAI o1C@
tatorial rule by force over almost
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 the
country BY force and terror. In
China the percentage Of commu-
nists is even smaller. The rights
Of the majority are taken away.
The people Of Poland Hungary,
Rumania, Czechoslovakia, Yugo-
slavia, and East Germany have
found that when the communists
gain control there is no easy re-
turn 70 democracy. Freedom Is
valued most highly in those ma
lions where 1t is denied the people.
Isn't it about time we begin to
give more consideration to the pro-
lection Of the rights Of the ma
3ority Ia this country?