The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-05-07
The Doctrine of Instructions

THAT Judge PHELPS will fully MAIN
tain the views Of his constituents, even it he |
stand alone, we have not the slightest doubt.
.-MuiiiebWy Register. !
We sincerely hope that if the course OIL
Mr.. Phelps should be right as his indie
pendent, patriotic and dspasSionatc conduct
heretofore lead us confidently 10 expect il |
will be, he will have the satisfaction OF find |
ing that he has in that course fully main
tanned the views Of his constituents" But
we regret that our friend, of the RegiStei
should use an expression tending TO convey
what we are sure is so far from his meaning
as that Senator Of the United States ought
TO make the opinions Of peculiar constituent
cy, the rule OF his action, in regard to The
great national trust which he has sworn " to
preserve, protect and defend" Apart also
from this more Obvious aspect Of the case, in
which mind of the slightest discretion will
not fail to remember that the Nation as such
is a coordinate party with the State in The
appointment and authorization oil the lugis-
lator il may aud should be added, that the
only reasonable theory of representative as
opposed 10 radically democratic government.
is that the power of the constituency is dele
gated and entrusted 10 the wisdom of their
representative, for a certain period. lie is
chosen for his fitness to be II ruler-not for
his suppleness, TO be puppet Or agent Of
popular impulses. He is truly the servant
Of the people, as bound to act for their in
terest aud honor but not as a minister to
their passions. humors or opinions. If we
I 10 not like him, We can supeTsede him al
the end Of his term, by one who will suit II,
better, and that is our only remedy. In case
\ where ruler is chosen upon some disiinc
under standing as 10 particular points, whicl
leaves him no discretion, but TO give eilec
to the stipulated wishes OF the electors, thcl
S his conduct is controlled by the obligation o
a contract, and if he cannot fulfil it, b.
should give place at once. to successor win
g can; but in respect to all the open issue
!. and varying exigeneiss Of legislation, his in
dependence is absolute, during the term fo
d which he is appointed.
IF We hope, and doubt not, that Senate
PnFLps will in all cases do his DUTY Il
. nearly as he can ascertain it, whether
Is suits us or not, whether it suits the State {
not, and even "though worlds judge him pc
verse; Union Wig.
Our friend of the Union Wing is quit
right in supposing that we never meant
- endorse the Locoioco doctiine of Instru
Nions The remark quoted by him is smp
word that we appended to certain spccul
o' Iipns of the Boston Atlas as 10 what .Jud,
he PhELrs would do, as a member Of the Cor
to nfttee of Thirteen. We meant only
Nt; express strong confidence that our Senat
Mould act in manner that would fully nc
:, Jhe views Of his constituents that his sen
er hents and theirs would be found to CORE
ID, pond entirely, as 10 the best method of pl
nv Iting an end to the present difficulties. Y
III did not intimate, cerianly, that he was
Ill der any obligation TO comply with every W
III or caprice of his constituents, in OPPOSITE
Dr. to his better judgment. lie has quite
res other duty than that-and whoever kno
'o,' the man, noed not be told that he is rC
No. 49, likely toperiorm it, regardless of perso
~, consequences.
mel One word more. While we repuJi
tie doctrine Of Instructions. ~ held by