Constitutional history -- United States -- Sources; Constitutional law -- United States
Ingratitude is a common topic of declamation against human nature; and
it must be confessed that instances of it are but too frequent and
flagrant, both in public and in private life. But the universal and
extreme indignation which it inspires is itself a proof of the energy
and prevalence of the contrary sentiment.
In the third place, those ties which bind the representative to his
constituents are strengthened by motives of a more selfish nature. His
pride and vanity attach him to a form of government which favors his
pretensions and gives him a share in its honors and distinctions.
Whatever hopes or projects might be entertained by a few aspiring
characters, it must generally happen that a great proportion of the men
deriving their advancement from their influence with the people, would
have more to hope from a preservation of the favor, than from
innovations in the government subversive of the authority of the
people. All these securities, however, would be found very insufficient
without the restraint of frequent elections. Hence, in the fourth
place, the House of Representatives is so constituted as to support in
the members an habitual recollection of their dependence on the people.
Before the sentiments impressed on their minds by the mode of their
elevation can be effaced by the exercise of power, they will be
compelled to anticipate the moment when their power is to cease, when
their exercise of it is to be reviewed, and when they must descend to
the level from which they were raised; there forever to remain unless a
faithful discharge of their trust shall have established their title to
a renewal of it. I will add, as a fifth circumstance in the situation
of the House of Representatives, restraining them from oppressive
measures, that they can make no law which will not have its full
operation on themselves and their friends, as well as on the great mass
of the society. This has always been deemed one of the strongest bonds
by which human policy can connect the rulers and the people together.
It creates between them that communion of interests and sympathy of
sentiments, of which few governments have furnished examples; but
without which every government degenerates into tyranny. If it be
asked, what is to restrain the House of Representatives from making
legal discriminations in favor of themselves and a particular class of
the society? I answer: the genius of the whole system; the nature of
just and constitutional laws; and above all, the vigilant and manly
spirit which actuates the people of America, a spirit which nourishes
freedom, and in return is nourished by it. If this spirit shall ever be
so far debased as to tolerate a law not obligatory on the legislature,
as well as on the people, the people will be prepared to tolerate any
thing but liberty. Such will be the relation between the House of
Representatives and their constituents. Duty, gratitude, interest,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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