The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-25
LETTER FROM JEFF DAVIS.

ITO DENY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE REP
REsENTATIvE TO HIS CONSTITUENCY WOULD
BE TO ATTACK THE FOUNDATION OF OUR po-
LITIcAL SYSTEM
From the Jackson (Niss.) Clarion.]
We are gratifed to have the opportunity to pub
lish the following letter written by Hon. Jefferson
Davis in reply to inquiries designed to elicit his
opinion upon subject of vital public Importance
1t will be read by his countrymen with the interest
which they attach to everything that emanates from
its distinguished author:-
BEAUvoIR Posr OFFICE.
HARRISON COUNTY, Miss, Dec. IA 1878.
MY DEAR SIR this day received yours of the 10Th
inst. asking for my opinion to the right of the
Legislature OF state to instruct her Senators in
Congress-
Personally disinterested observer, stand upon
the political river, earnestly watching whatever il
may bear. but without any purpose ever again to
launch my bark upon it. My opinions, however
upon any subject which interests Mississippi are a.
they always will be, at the service of my friends who
may desire to have them.
The government of the United States is essentially
the necessary consequence of the adj
mitted sovereignty OF the people and the indivdu.
atty the States To deny the responsibility of the
representative to his constituency would be to ut.
tack the foundation Of our political system. The
two houses OF Congress represent, the one, the
peoples the other, the States themselves
Ii the people of Congressional district to
assemble in mass and instruct their Representative
upon any particular question, who will gainsay their
In the compact OF the Union it was provided that
the representatives of the States their Senators.
should be chosen by their respective Legislatures.
Those Legislatures do in that connection express the
voice OF the State aud the Senator who accepts his
election by the Legislature as such expression of the
Will OF the State would seem to be estopped from
contending at any future time that the Legislature
was not the proper channel through which the stats
1t has been the practice of the democracy either to
obey instructions or to resign the Office held from
the people that their constituents might il they
truly represent them. Nor has this been entirely
confned to the democracy The statesman VINO has
been called The expounier of the consti ution when
the wild waves OF abolitonism were Leating against
the buwarks OF the constitution, and threatening its
subversion in view OF the prospects receiving
structons which he could conscien tiously obey
said ne hoped the event mgnt not arise and clearly
indicated, though he did express it, that in such
contnsency he would vacate Q seat he could not
consistently retain.
In the democracy of Greece the people assembled
in mass o discuss and to legisate. In the Republic
OF Rome the government was of orders, the
patriclans and the people having conflicting powers.
In neither OF these could representation such
ours have been tie foundation or government.
Therefore had to be law unto ourselves. Where
all other modern republics were based upon pre-
existing feudal system. had no compromises to
make with abuses and with privileged classes but
were offered clear sheet on which the charter Of
human liberty and the supremacy OF law might be
written.
The people of each independent State, possessing
sovereign power, organized each for itself govern
ment OF their owns and by the compact Of union
delegated to the general government such powers
anu iuhcuous as tney were Wiling TO cOnnue TO
IN the state governments as well in that Of the
United States power was attended by correative
sponsiblilty OF those who from either received
tAority and trust. 1t was . wise organism when it
was adopted-more wise, perhaps than the builders
knew for our experience has taught US that corrup-
ton, which works in darkness and unseen, may
dermne the fabric which could resist direct and
external blows. We have been by the Divine Master
taught the danger OF being led into temp lation.
III the growth Of wealth and luxury have seen
ARISE as the consequence increased extravaganza,
waiting on the Necessities of which army Of
lfS NJ aftrvo <,c
special interests and OF the moLeyed power Against
the influence these it safer to trust the body
OF the people who are beyond the reach OF tempta-
ton than the few who Immediately exposed it.
In opposition to the right Of the constituency to
instruct know OF no argument which deserves
tice. uness it be that which denies to the people the
requisite amount OF intelligence. If that be true the
corner stone OF our temple is crushed, and it
vain to attempt to prop the superstructure Bun is
it rue? hope not, think not, and repel the as
sumption OF any man that he has more adom than
the aggregate OF his neighbors.
So, sir end, as began, with the expression of the
belief that the coexstence Of liberty aud power
qure the direct responsibility OF the
to his constituency. This is the characteristic and
especial merit OF our political system, State and
federal
III conclusion let me express the conviction that
unless this be maintained and the virtue and neili-
gence OF the people keep pace with the demand for
both in the exercise of the high power they possess,
We must look forward to corruption among officials
and anarchy, to be followed by despotism. Very
truly, your friend, JEFFERSON DAVIS.