84 GENERAL JACKSON S POLICY. [CHAP. VI. 



we want to talk with them, at all hcmrs, and tell them how ice 

 wish them to vote&quot; I once asked a party of New England 

 tradesmen whether, if Mr. B., already an eminent public man, 

 came into a large fortune through his wife, as might soon be ex 

 pected, he would stand a worse chance than before of being sent 

 to Congress. The question gave rise to a discussion among 

 themselves, and at last they assured me that they did not think 

 his accession to a fortune would do him any harm. It clearly 

 never struck them as possible that it could do him any good, or 

 aid his chance of success. 



The chief motive, I apprehend, of preferring a poorer candi 

 date, is the desire of reducing the members of their Legislature 

 to mere delegates. A rich man would be apt to have an opinion 

 of his own, to be unwilling to make a sacrifice of his free agency ; 

 he would not always identify himself with the majority of his 

 electors, condescend to become, like the wires of the electric 

 telegraph, a mere piece of machinery for conveying to the Capitol 

 of his State, or to Washington, the behests of the multitude. 

 That there is, besides, a vulgar jealousy of superior wealth, 

 especially in the less educated districts and newer states, I satis 

 fied myself in the course of my tour ; but in regard to envy, we 

 must also bear in mind, on the other hand, that they who elevate 

 to distinction one of their own class in society, have sometimes 

 to achieve a greater victory over that passion than when they 

 confer the same favor on one who occupies already, by virtue of 

 great riches, a higher position. 



In reference also to pledges exacted from representatives at an 

 election, I am bound to mention some spirited letters which I saw 

 published by Whig candidates in Massachusetts, who carried their 

 election in spite of them. From one of these I quote the follow 

 ing words ; &quot;I must decline giving a direct reply to your specific 

 questions ; my general conduct and character as a public man, 

 must be your guarantee. My votes are on record, my speeches 

 are in print ; if they do not inspire confidence, no pledges or dec 

 larations of purpose ought to do so.&quot; 



It was part of General Jackson s policy, openly avowed by him 

 in several of his presidential addresses, to persuade the small 



