The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-01-15

dience A representative is a member Of delibe-
ratve body, and is not blind agent bound by speeihc
instrus ions. But where Is his power TO deliberate,
II his viii may be controlled b, that of his constitu-
ent, and where is the utility of representative go
vernment, IL the representative can merely execute
the preconceiyed will of the constituent Such doc
rine resolves representative system into collec-
i've democracy, government impracticabe beyond
single town.
But this resolution of meeting in Indiana carries
It's own refutation its face unless, in that State
any fraction of the people have the right TO control
the whole. IL says that unless the Legislature shall
grant immediate relief they the citizens comprising
the meeting will assemble again at the same place on
Christmas day, and determine that the public func-
tonaries, throughforce Of public opinion, shall re-
sign their different trusts. That this meeting can be
fraction only of Indiana, is obvious for the whole
people of that State cannot assemble in one meeting
in one town Then If this portion may dictate terms
TO the Legislature that body the Legislature of this
meeting, and not of the whole State, and all the rest
of the State without representation or political
rights But perhaps this meeting would dictate
only to the representatives Of the counties, towns
or districts from which the meeting is collected;-
and if so, meet with two difficulties. II this
meeting be not majority of the constituency in such
counties, towns districts il certainly has no right
TO speak thus, at least reason to expect obed-
ence And if be such majority, its representatives.
servants Of the whole State well those par
tcular portions of il. And can part OF consttu-
ency control the will Of representatives who are
bound to Judge and act for the whole What then is
this meeting but mob And what are its proceed
ngs but attempt to CONTROL without the sanction
OF constitution or law, the will of body elected by
and representing the whole State, or the will of por-
oDs of that body, chosen indeed by themselves, but
chosen for the very purpose of representing and de-
liberating for whole And what is the tendency Of
such doctrines, but anarchy
This meeting talk of compelling their representa-
tives To resign "by force Of public opinion" Few
terms have been SO much misunderstood, and conse-
quently misapplied, public opinion" Some edi-
tors regard public opinion the proceedings of any
mob that may assemble for any mischief In these
United States, nothing is public opinion but the voice
of the whole people, speaking through their legisa-
ture or their conventions. The declarations Of all
occasional meetings, of conventions called by less
than the whole State, no more public opinion for
such State, than are the edicts of the Emperor of
Russia. When any meeting presumes to speak as
public opinion, and to usurp the voice of the whole
which be expressed only in constitutional modes,
such meeting merely utters the voice of mob.
We have been frequently called upon TO teach thus
the A. b, c. of political philosophy and shall do it
whenever part of the people assume the powers of
the whole