If such persons, honestly sought, are not to be found, then indeed
the electors are justified in taking other precautions; for they
cannot be expected to postpone their particular opinions, unless in
order that they may be served by a person of superior knowledge to
their own. They would do well, indeed, even then, to remember, that
when once chosen, the representative, if he devotes himself to his
duty, has greater opportunities of correcting an original false
judgment than fall to the lot of most of his constituents; a
consideration which generally ought to prevent them (unless
compelled by necessity to choose some one whose impartiality they do
not fully trust) from exacting a pledge not to change his opinion, or,
if he does, to resign his seat. But when an unknown person, not
certified in unmistakable terms by some high authority, is elected for
the first time, the elector cannot be expected not to make
conformity to his own sentiments the primary requisite. It is enough
if he does not regard a subsequent change of those sentiments,
honestly avowed, with its grounds undisguisedly stated, as a
peremptory reason for withdrawing his confidence.
Even supposing the most tried ability and acknowledged eminence of
character in the representative, the private opinions of the
electors are not to be placed entirely in abeyance. Deference to
mental superiority is not to go the length of
self-annihilation- abnegation of any personal opinion.
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