cams_benton_b028_f012_002_017

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Does it not follow, that,
III Can A people can be justified in recalling
delegated power – & resuming its exercise?

The right to do so is unquestionable. The people
are the fountains of influence & power. – It returns
to them, now & then; & is redelegated, at every elec-
-tion. They may reduce the intervals, at their
pleasure. – They may resume the whole whenever the
public good inexorably imperatively demands it, and of that they must be the judges. A cor-
-porate body may appoint an agent; they may give
him specific instructions; they may change them at
will; – & they may revoke their commission at any
moment, for good cause. A people may do the
same with their agents. For malfeasance in office, –
abuse of trust. There are always forms provided
for impeachment & removal. The power & the right
to do this is are always claimed. For good cause, – it
may be done; &, under a dire necessity, it may be
done in some other than the prescribed way ~

The final umpires of all such matters are the people; – &
what they justify, by acclamation, – & adhere to – is constructively right,