Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-03-14
[BY MIR. GILES.
Continued.

(COntinwed.)
Passing over Cor the present. all obser-
vations upon the obvious tendency ofibe
freehold limit Of the right of suffrage, to
produce capacity, stability and duration
IN our complex system Of government, if
fortunately il could be introduced into
the Constitutions of all the States, com
posing the United States few general
reflections he submitted, upon a point
of more populardoctrine and on", more
Immediately Influential in aiding the de-
signs of demolising the Virginian Con-
stitutlon.
1t is said by some, and eagerly received
by many, that, whether right or wrong.
there can he no harm in calling upon the
people TO express their opinions by vote,
respecting the policy Of calling Con
veniion AT the present tine &c amend
theirown Constitution: Because. in sub
stance, the people can do no wrong. This
doctrine surely pre-snnpOses unlimited
confidence IN tie people and the arg,
ment which supports II, is rcplctc with
that Raitering JUNCTION which is deemed
most instrumental III smoothing i3te vav
TO popular pretcrment Indeed, he bu-
siness ofhuniing popularity, has been so
long, and new is so inCch, the order cf
the day, hv cabling and faitaring the
people, under various ingenious DISCUSSES,
1t would not be unreasonable 70 SUPPOSE.
thatthe people themselves are. bv this time
beginning to become tired oftls hacknied
process, and would deem the man as
much their real friend, who would sneak
10 them, In the language of plain truth. of
things as they are, and OF their own con.
clifton IN society as it Is, as the man who
would ascribe TO them Imaginary perfec-
fions, which the people themselves know
they do not ossess place them in a sta
ton in society which they know thew do
not occupy assign them inappropriate
duties which they know they cannot per-
form; and even arraign the unerring or
der OF Providence. for making the condi-
ton OF man III society such as il really is.
instead OF Giynifving and improving it
INTO what II should he, according TO the
views and wishes of these vain deluded
reiiners-Cr. in other words, that the
people would esteem the man rs much
their friend, who would address iiiem up-
on the real, as one who would address
them upon false, imaginary state OF
things.
This doctrine Of professed confidence
IN tile people, III the extreme TO which il
Is carried, although at first view might lie
deemed both complimentary to them, and
harmless in itself, viii, ii is conceived, be
foand, upon examination, to lead direct
Nv to the most injurious consequences.
the first place, 1t may easily be perceiv-
ell, that II completely inyerts the relative
duties Of the representative and consfifn-
emf. 1t is the duty of the representative
To Judge, in anticipation, of the tendency
of every proposition whichis presented TO
him in representative character, by re-
lection, by reasoning, and by foresight.
itisthe duty ct the constituent TO judge
OF the effects of measures after their a.
doptlon, from actual experiment and feel
lng. Every representative, who takes up
on himself that character, processes
competency TO Judge Of the good or bad
tendencies of measures, in anticipafon.
The constituent undertakes 10 Judge.
whefherthe person offered 10 his election
be this competent person or not and if
not, reserves TO himself, amongst others,
the right To- displace him, and place
more competent one in his stead But
thisi rarely done, speaking Of mankind in
general, by reasoning upon fbe good or
bad Tendencies of his measures. before
thciractual effects are known. The con-
siituent Judges Of The effects of such mea-
sures after their adoption from their ac-
tual operation. III this mode, he is aided
with the best possible standard for as
ccftalning truth; experience. In fhe o.
'hNt, iiC AOhtu OilF resort 10 TIE UciilSfVc
and uncertain results Of raiiocination--
Deiusive and uncertain, indeed, with the
best informed minds with the uninfor-
med, impracticable Therefore, when
the representative refuses TO Judge him
self, and to decide upon tIlc good or bad
tendency of any proposition he is called
10 act Upon in that character, he cludes
his responsibility, by throwing the deci-
sion from himself upon his constituent,
and thus secures himself for avoiding the
discharge of his duty, from the voluntary
responsibility he has assumed. bv the fiat
tering compliment 10 The people, that his
constituent is better qualified to Judge
than himself; and although this sugges-
ton may Ofteniimcs prove true, vet it
does not change the nature of the reIa-
i've duties aud obligations Of representa-
TIVE and constituent; but only proves
ihatthe constituent has been unfortunate
~ tie choice Of representative. II is
confidently believed, that most of the
ialscheyous political errors Of the day
rave arisen from the want Of a due atten-
ton 10 this important reflection. s ilo-
rough consideration Of ii is therefore
strongly recommended, both to Tie rep
reseniaiiye and constituent. Ifit be at
tempted to justify this departure from tie
usual responsibility attached TO the dis
charge Of dirty in eases Of ordinary Ie-
S's'dilpn, bS the suggestion Of the peculi-
~ aud ovfrof~fl tic ..-,.,,,.-