On the other hand, he should have such a term of office to
look forward to as will enable him to be judged, not by a single
act, but by his course of action. It is important that he should
have the greatest latitude of individual opinion and discretion
compatible with the popular control essential to free government;
and for this purpose it is necessary that the control should be
exercised, as in any case it is best exercised, after sufficient
time has been given him to show all the qualities he possesses, and to
prove that there is some other way than that of a mere obedient
voter and advocate of their opinions, by which he can render himself
in the eyes of his constituents a desirable and creditable
representative.
It is impossible to fix, by any universal rule, the boundary between
these principles. Where the democratic power in the constitution is
weak or over-passive, and requires stimulation; where the
representative, on leaving his constituents, enters at once into a
courtly or aristocratic atmosphere, whose influences all tend to
deflect his course into a different direction from the popular one, to
tone down any democratic feelings which he may have brought with
him, and make him forget the wishes and grow cool to the interests of
those who chose him- the obligation of a frequent return to them for
a renewal of his commission is indispensable to keeping his temper and
character up to the right mark.
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