Monday, January 25, 2016

George Mason, "Much, he said, had been alleged against democratic elections. . . . But compare these with the advantage of this form, in favor of the rights of the people--in favor of human nature."

   "Col. MASON. Under the existing Confederacy, Congress represent the states, and not the people of the states; their acts operate on the states, not on the individuals. The case will be changed in the new plan of government. The people will be represented: they ought therefore to choose the representatives. The requisites in actual representation are, that the representatives should sympathize with their constituents; should think as they think, and feel as they feel; and that for these purposes they should be residents among them. Much, he said, had been alleged against democratic elections. He admitted that much might be said; but it was to be considered that no government was free from imperfections and evils; and that improper elections, in many instances, were inseparable froth republican governments. But compare these with the advantage of this form, in favor of the rights of the people--in favor of human nature. He was persuaded there was a better chance for proper elections by the people, if divided into large districts, than by the state legislatures. Paper money had been issued by the latter, when the former were against it. Was it to be supposed that the state legislatures, then, would not send to the national legislature patrons of such projects, if the choice depended on them?"--Col. [George Mason, June , 1787, Debates In The Federal Convention Of 1787, Held At Philadelphia. [Eliiot's Debates, Vol. V, Pg. 161]

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