Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-10-18

The opinion of the late RoGER SHERMAN:
ons ~ tho Signers Githe Deciaratloo OF
Indsnsndener. afterwards a Member oil
the General Convention from Connec
t;cut and a Representative and Senator
IN Congress from that state. upon the
snb;ec, Of the right OF Constituents TO To-
strIct their Representatives.
A proposition having been made TO IN
.roduce a clause in the Constitution. con-
ferr;ne upen the people the right Of IN
.truc,iny their representatives, MIR 'oher-
man opposed il with great justice ana ao'-
NY. He urged that it would mis'eao Tue
people, by conveying an idea' mat 'ney
possessed the right OF controlling tne oe-
bates and deliberations o! the legislature
= right destructive to the objects OF their
meeting hiatt duty OF representa-
tive, was to consult and agree wlth others
from different parts OF the Union. relative
70 such acts as might be beneficial to the
whole community, and not to adopt the
crude and indigested views OF small por-
4,ou of the people Of the United states,
wbose information must be too limited 10
come 10 right conclusion; that 1t they
were 10 be guided by instructions, there
would be no use in deliberations, and re-
preventative would consider nothing more
necessary than to produce the instructions,
Law them on the table. and let them speak
for bin; that the duty of good represent
tatiye, was TO enquir. what measures would
best tend 10 promote the general welfare,
and alter be had discovered them TO give
them bis support; that if his instructions
should coincide with his ideas OF any mea.
sure. they would be unnecessary VI
they were contrary to the convictions OF his
own mind, be would be bound by every
principle Of justice to disregard them
hence he considered il fixed doctrine,
that the right OF the people to consult Tor
the common good, can 60 no further than
to petition the legislature for redress OF
grievances. His opinion was confirmed by
large majority, and the amendment re.
jected.
I, is said Of Mr.. Sherman. by the bio
srapber OF the Signers OF the Declaration
OF Independence, that Mr.. Jefferson OBJ.
served TO DR.. Smith, Of Newburyport, in
shelving him different distinguished mem
bers of congress, that that is Mr.. Sber-
man, OF Conuecticut-a man who never
said foolish thing in his Gfe." Fisher
Ames was accustomed to express bis OPT
MON Of him by saying, L" that if be hap
pened to be out u bis sent wbena subject
was discussed, and came in when the
question was about to be taken, he always
islt sale in voting as Mr.. Sherman did; for
he al,poys uoted right Mr.. Macon, now
q distinguished member OF the senate OF
the United States, once remarked to Mr..
Reed, Of Msrblehead, formerly member
of congress, that Roger Sherman had
more common sense than any man he ever
knew" The learned and pious DR.. Ed
wards used to call him bis great and
good friend senator Sherman" The late
DR.. Dwight used to observe ta the students
of Yale College, =" that Mr. Sherman was
remarkable for not speaking in debate
without suggesting something new or i'm.
portant."
Thisgreat and wise man was seli.taught.
His first occupation in life wd. that OF a
mechanic. While carrying on his trade.
he used, at bis leisure hours, TO read use
ful books, till he became distinguished
lawyer, and an eminent Judge of The high
est cour: 10 this state: be was remarkable
for bis sincere and fervent pieiy. Here is
an example. worthy of the notice and imi-
tation of yoath, in all stations OF society.