Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1805-01-31

.hhad been argued, sna wen argued to
and tie, argument is diHsuls to answer,
that the people of this district are placed in
a DEGRADED situation. That they have no
imraediate voice III the choice Of rsprssen.
tatives; aha. their civil and political rights
are prossvased nc the feet ct congress. he
did not, however, acknowledge that the
argument 10 its utmost extension was per-
fectiy correct, and the reaxon was, that
the constitution, which every member is
sworn to support. provides = .guarantee for
arepublieau form Of government and un-
der this solemn tic be vas inclined to Be.
licvr that Congress could never exercise. a
despo,c authority or tyrsnnlae over the IN
hai,itants OF the district, no more than
they coniG over tn; respectable CITIZENS Of
the other siatsA. Il Congress were toa..
same power Of passing oppressive laws,
for instance, say over Georgia or New
Hampshire the delegation from those
states on this aoor would give the measure
an honorable opposition; but their voice
would be M more than drop into the
ocean. What is representation Of three
or four, nay Of half a dozen menbers, to
compare with the aumbers composing the
ares emit House. He believed the peoplsof
tire district might depend upon the rectisude
of Congress- and he Placeda greater re-
lance on this ground, than 90 Ill the abb
stract reasoning he had heard.
The gentleman from Pennsylvania,
mr.. smiiie) had said that recessrou was
one thing and removal saother; that the
two things were distinct and not necessa.
rily combined he trusted the gentleman
was sincere in saying he did NOT wish for
aremoval bu, Mr.. N. could not sePa-
rate in his mind the two ideas. If Con-
gress violate the constitution BY agreeing
to a recession, what security have ~e thas
the next step may not be further viola.
ton, and followed UP BY removal. 1t is
true it would be a breach of contract, and
perhaps the destruction Of a thousand
honest families, Eow in the possession
of a comfortable competency. But. he
would ask, is this honest-..is it rightl lie
could consider the present proposition in no
other light than as a stepping stone to the
removal altogether. .,...ast
The gentle man on his left (Mr. Early,
had said that the people OF this district
were coded to Congress without their con-
sent, and ihfers that Congress have the
right to recede them without consulting
their wishes. MIR. n. considered this q
fallacious representation. This people OF
the territory lad their representatives in
the legislatures Of Virginia and Maryland,
at the time that the acts Of cession were
passed. He did not deem it material whc-
Their these individual members voted tor or
against the cessicn; becauss m republican
governments: the will Of the majority is the
will OF the whole people. -
He here .reeapitulated the several points
he had eadsavored to maintain, and apoti-
gised for th. length Of time he had detained
tie committee. and concluded with de-
clara.ion of his wish that the commltrse
would give 70 the resolutions a decided
and promp, negative, in order that the
question might be quito rest foreyer;-
hat tie people Of ths district might 50 on
with their improvements, in full confidence
tina, the pablic faith is pledged TO the n for
thctsupport of the priviiedges they enjoy
under the constitution and laws ct tae y.
States.
ITO be continued
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