Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-07-11

According to the established doctrine and |
Established practice OF English politics, we
become frcemen during the times Of elections
alone, but slaves while the elected Continue
II Office. We have the choice of our rulers
but this is privilege Of very curtailed BEN
eit, II they may reject our wishes and tram
pie uncontrolled on our Judgments. The
very object of election by the people is to
choose those who will act according to the
public sentiment; and, after that sentiment
Is expressed, shall they disregard it {. Shall
they fiout the opinion and contemn the wish
es OF those by whom and for whose benefit
they were permitted to act This may do
well enough for the advocates of aristocra-
cy; but lily aceords with the sentiments of
republicans; it may answer for the unblus,,-,
ing despisers Of popular government but
does not seem to agree we'll with the former
conduct aud professions of such men as Brent,
Fohe, &c.
Ifthis, Mr.. Editor, be the Correct doctrine,
It IS time our vocabulary was revised. We
call our Members of Congress, Assembly, &c
our Representatives.. Now, what do we
mean, what IS ever meant, by Representa-
tive? Is it one who acts by hisown will alone.
or by that of anothere Is it not one who stands
IN our stead, who acts and speaks for us, and
performs our Will, where we cannot, or do
not choose, to act and speak for ourselves
And, II a man refuses TO obey cur will, is he
any longer cur representative ? lie is not.
ne mas lost that Character, and we may add
that IN general, as regards politicians WAC
do this, they have been guilty of criminalcon-
duct. They are not what they were chosen
for, and must either have put an imposition
on the people, by concealing their opinions,
SO as to be chosen, Tor what they ere net or
they have, since they were chosen, deserted
the principles which hoisted them to their
stations.
Iftiien the Will Of the constituent ought to
De guide to the representative, the Qucsti-
or occurs, How he is to be apprized Of chat
wills The answer is not difficult. On the
broad surface of the constitution is spread
the main body OF directions, and by it
they are chosen t. act IN the known
principles ofthe district Or body he repre-
Sents, the rest are TO be found. Party and
other matters have so marked the character
OF every portion q our country, that the re-
preventative can scarcely err in knowing the
general policy approved by his constituents
IT diincult and unforeseen cases arise, the will
can only be known by an open fu6Hc e1,treS-
ston Of the mdy9rity IF the eonssituents-
Hence the palpable necessity Of instructions
where 1t is important hat the wishes of the
people should be known; and hence, too, the
pr0priety OF instructions from the legislature
to Senators of the United States. The leCis-
lature stands in the place of constituents and
electors 70 them.
know it has been. said before, and was
lately repeated in debate, that Senators re-
present the Union, and therefore should re-
ceive Instructions only from the Ullion This
sounds pompousiy enough; but sayours much
more OF aifectation than sincerity. Our go
vernment was doubtless designed TO secure
virtue inthe rulers, by bri.,yng (as far as con
venent) responsibility home to every public
agent 4: And to whom is an agent to be res
ponsibee IF it be not to the person who ap-
points him, responsibility loses its definitive
Character and meaning. Does the Union,
then, eject the Senator'S Is that stinted por-
ton OF responsibility, which attaches to their
character, due to the Union No. The States
from which they come arc the sources Of
theirilegislative existence, and must decide
upon their conduct.
1t will not here be supposed that mean,
that Senators are not TO regard the general
interests OF the Union. mean no such thing
No honest or upright politician can or will
forget them, though covered by prejudice and
trammelied by faction. But, sir, tiis Union
has parts, each state has independent rights
and interests; and it was 70 guard, not to sa-
crihce, these, that the Union was formed--
TWAS to support, not to assail then, that Sc
majors were elected and they Will not be
expected to forget them in other objects,
however dear. The legislature appoints them
to represent their State, and to guard its in
terests in the assembly of the .S,ates If res
possibility is directed any where, it must
therefore be to the Legislature; If the right
to instruci rest any where, it must rest with
them. This notion of representing the Uni
on, in this light, is but another proof of the
miserable cavils to which men are driven,
when they wish to evade ;uty, or seek to
excise desertion of principles.
SELIM.
H1rterd on, .dhrR, 1911.
"