quate to their own immediate wants and duties. Can the interests of others be safely confided to those, who have yet to learn how to take care of their own? The British constitution has, indeed, provided only for the members of the house of commons not being minors;[1] and illustrious instances have occurred to show, that great statesmen may be formed even during their minority. But such instances are rare, they are to be looked at as prodigies, rather than as examples; as the extraordinary growth of a peculiar education and character, and a hot-bed precocity in a monarchy, rather than as the sound and thrifty growth of the open air, and the bracing hardihood of a republic. In the convention this qualification, as to age, did not pass without a struggle. It was originally carried by a vote of seven states against three, one being divided; though it was ultimately adopted without a division.[2] In the state conventions it does not seem to have formed any important topic of debate.[3]
- ↑ 1 Black. Comm. 162, 173, 175; 4 Instit. 46, 47.
- ↑ Journal of Convention, June 22, p. 143; id. Aug. 8, p. 235; 4 Elliot's Debates, (Yates's Minutes,) 94.
- ↑ Lord Coke has with much gravity enumerated the proper qualifications of a parliament-man, drawing the resemblances from the properties of the elephant. First, that he should be without gall; that is, without malice, rancour, heat, and envy. Secondly, that he should be constant, inflexible, and not to be bowed, or turned from the right, either for fear, reward, or favour, nor in judgment respect persons. Thirdly, that he should be of a ripe memory, that remembering perils past, he might remember dangers to come. Fourthly, that though he be of the greatest strength and understanding, yet he be sociable, and go in companies; and fifthly, that he be philanthropic, showing the way to every man.[a 1] Whatever one may now think of this quaint analogy, these qualities would not, in our day, be thought a bad enumeration of the proper qualities of a good modern member of parliament, or congress.
- ↑ 4 Instit. 3.
