Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-05-09

,iica,ion 20 I" Wisdom of the usage rest for its
justification 20 we had supposed, if wise, that 1t
needed no other justification. But we will not
cavil about words You say that 90 they are
two lo!d: when the representative is free-holder
and resident within The district the people thereof
will generally have better opportunity of becotn-
ing acquainted with his political principles, cha
racter both public and private, his qualifications
for office, than when he doss no not rerde with
in the distrct- also he would hsvea better op-
portunity of consulting their wishes and feelings
in relation to his public duty. Badly. The Consti-
tuent body would have, from the same cause, a
better assurance, generally, Of his common feeling
and sympathy with Them The terms in which
you have couched these reasons, remind us OF Hen
rvs complaint OF the Federal constitution. -
" When power" says he. "a Is given to this gov
eminent, for any purpose, the language it assumes
- clear, express and unelaivocal but when this
constitution speaks OF privileges, there is am
bIsuity, sir, fatal ambiguity ambiguity that
is very astonishins''-a Seaerdiity, sirs, that is
very astonishing. You adj, " il there be any
other reasons for the usage, ask you TO point
them out Now, you ask this ; much after The
manner oil men who perfectly assured that
but we check oursclves--we care not Tor the
ner, II is the matter we have TO deal with With
out any pretensions to superior sagaciiy, think
we can see other reasons for the usage ; aud that
those which you have stated, exist 10 much
greater extent, and apply with mach force
than yea seem willing TO acknowledge. 1t is not
suIhrieat that the people should possess mere
general acquaintance with the character, political
principles, aud qualifications for ofiice of their
representative; & assurance, equally uncertain s.
uhdeined, oil his corinon feeling y sympathy with
them They should, as far possible, be perfectly
identified. lie should be one ofthcn should mix
with them, think they think feel as they feel
hn thoroughly acquainted with their interest, con-
di;on. and character, perfectly anen:ble them,
knGaded with tlgir leaven, ;nctmet with their We
~ rrejudices-for the very prcjdices CT f,ecmen
are often entitled 10 poet, and wis. legislator
will disregard or outrage them unnecessatily. And
the people should have the fullest opportunity of
knowing that all these things So at all times
and under all circumstances. Can these things
be, unless he Is one of them, eshes among them
has every facility OF intercourse and communion
with them, and returns TO them when his official
dhtics are suspended or hi~ Term of office expires
We think candid consideration Of these questions
VIII lead TO the conclusion, that Ike reasons you
nave stalled Tor Tie usage apply more forcbly, aud
universally, i.an you seem willing TO admit; and
that its verys spirit and essence are zone the
moment yoh pass The limits of,iIc district; ,ou can
no, Iecail them As soon might you expect dis
enbofied soul still 10 hover around and animate The
clay rom which it has been separated.
Two o her reasons for the u.are. if no more
appear 10 US 10 result from this statement The cor
richness oil which, to the letter we think tht noae
VIII deny. Ist. An Underwriting observance of il
ensures as tar AZ human foresight and precauion
can ensure, tue cont5nudHce of that harmony be
tween Tie constituent body ard the representatives
VIVA Which the relation is supposed TO commence
IL Important That they should let out together it is
equally or more important that they should ira, 81
together TO their journeys end. A free freuuen,
anu friendly personal intercnrre between them and
The mutual and s,lutary influence which i, giyes
10 each over tie opinions and views of the other,
AZ" 'ie information which it impar,s TO each Of
those views and opinions can alone secure this
Important o'gect. lie. by these personal inter
views alone, can become the medium of commu-
n'ca'ion to them OF many things connected with
'le'r interest and welfare things passing behind
me scenes-of - hich they would else, remain for
ever IN utter ignorance; and they by these same
means ana these only, convey 10 him their
OF leeirS' interest, opinion, character, tcc.
which 1t Is essential that he should know and res
pect
snd4y. There as Efficient responsibility
'pfhoWH Responsibility is the very corner s.. one
% me representative system. We think there
'o'e' IL we can establish this propositions that The
argument is at an end. Need we advance any
thi"S to prove the Importance nay, the absolute
necessity ot strict responsibility? Surely not In
ihis country, the principle is regarded az an axiom
IN poliscs-there IS no difference of opinion be-
Us cen u, here, we well assured bur A. IN The
n'e"i'S oi attaining the object Representatives
are Out me agents OF tie people; their agents in
me most important Of all temporal concerns. And
independence oil their employers, the source OF
'heir power, wouI1 be the greatest Of all rolical
evils. IL tronld be the essence of drsnoi;s,n
phaferer might be the forms Of the constitution.
Iheir dependence and responsibility then, mus
De iCTtiItd by the most awful and imposing sane
lions Wat was thought OF this principle h,
nose IaiheTs OF the political church, Henry and
MASON, we have seen from the debates in convep-
ion' ana the constitution Of Virginia, The work OF
their hands; and from BOTH but particularly the lat
'ef''ne means which they considered necessary 20
guard It oil Which the most prominent are Cre
1uent elections, and freehold and residence ,,i,b
IN = 'he district Or county'') Of the person who
represents II. ,Ihty did not regard the o mere
negative power OF not re-electing' him as sufficient
They did not regard this cheek, euem, as address
lns ITSELF with sufficient force to the princirlo nj
Sell-ioVe, 20 make 1t available. But this is the
oh'y e"cc" winch the constituent body could have
over representative who does not reside anon,
them. Far different is the situation of rl,e resiio,,
representative. He has 10 return 10 his em,Iover.
10 give an account of his siewafd sbip II be he
uohe wen, ne IS greeted by the approving smiles
the hearty welcome, the grateful ,banLs n
me people. But if he has motif he has b,,ravej
MS tust' 1t he has sacrificed their Interests
ana uehef their will, he must encounter their
indignant trowns-he must yyitber ,nder tbo;.
u'spieasire expressed in thousand forms the
averted eye, theTelaxed grasp, the deem tone :,
disconient, the fearless upbraidines of frcer,cn
"he shame sits on his brow and heaviness
weighs on his heart" II he seeks poIiticsI nro-
moiion, be must seek it elseyyhere-be nina, a
D'ndon his home, he must give up the tender en-
Neai'e's whch pound them 10 it, and wander into
o'he1 uisuicts ana Contract new relations Here
s HSe an actual, efficient responstility-
mere are checks which founded in lfloye. in
or Il