Constitutional history -- United States -- Sources; Constitutional law -- United States
We have seen that the result of the observations, to which the
foregoing number has been principally devoted, is, that from the
natural operation of the different interests and views of the various
classes of the community, whether the representation of the people be
more or less numerous, it will consist almost entirely of proprietors
of land, of merchants, and of members of the learned professions, who
will truly represent all those different interests and views. If it
should be objected that we have seen other descriptions of men in the
local legislatures, I answer that it is admitted there are exceptions
to the rule, but not in sufficient number to influence the general
complexion or character of the government. There are strong minds in
every walk of life that will rise superior to the disadvantages of
situation, and will command the tribute due to their merit, not only
from the classes to which they particularly belong, but from the
society in general. The door ought to be equally open to all; and I
trust, for the credit of human nature, that we shall see examples of
such vigorous plants flourishing in the soil of federal as well as of
State legislation; but occasional instances of this sort will not
render the reasoning founded upon the general course of things, less
conclusive.
The subject might be placed in several other lights that would all lead
to the same result; and in particular it might be asked, What greater
affinity or relation of interest can be conceived between the carpenter
and blacksmith, and the linen manufacturer or stocking weaver, than
between the merchant and either of them? It is notorious that there are
often as great rivalships between different branches of the mechanic or
manufacturing arts as there are between any of the departments of labor
and industry; so that, unless the representative body were to be far
more numerous than would be consistent with any idea of regularity or
wisdom in its deliberations, it is impossible that what seems to be the
spirit of the objection we have been considering should ever be
realized in practice. But I forbear to dwell any longer on a matter
which has hitherto worn too loose a garb to admit even of an accurate
inspection of its real shape or tendency.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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