Seems like time for the words of a great Irishman.
Certainly, gentlemen, it ought to be the happiness and
glory of a representative to live in the strictest union, the
closest correspondence, and the most unreserved communication
with his constituents. Their wishes ought to have
great weight with him; their opinion, high respect; their
business, unremitted attention. It is his duty to sacrifice his
repose, his pleasures, his satisfactions, to theirs; and above
all, ever, and in all cases, to prefer their interest to his
own. But his unbiassed opinion, his mature judgment, his
enlightened conscience, he ought not to sacrifice to you, to
any man, or to any set of men living. These he does not
derive from your pleasure; no, nor from the law and the
constitution. They are a trust from Providence, for the
abuse of which he is deeply answerable. Your representative
owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and
he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your
opinion.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment