Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1822-03-20
II HE GAZETTE.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 90, 1892.

Potomac will be launched from our Ma
Wy Yard, this day, precisely at 4 o'clock
in the afternoon. Wash, Gaz.
To the Editor Of the dssr'd. Gazette.
SlR--In the course of the discussion,
which has Of late, occupied so many CO.
lumns OF your paper, it has been very Sc
riously contended by more than one wri
ter, that congress has no right 10 retro
cede. and that the states have no right to
receive again, any portion OF the District
OF Columbia, with sbich they have part
ed. This suggestion, though heretofore,
often urged, and as often refuted, ought
not to pass, at this time. unnoticed. Its
| entitled to the most serious consideration,
| not more from its immediate bearing OH the
question OF retroeession, than from ITS e.
aualy obvious connexlon with very dan
gerous system of politics, at this moment,
prevailing 10 many of the most powerful
states in the union. The cry OF state
rights" which has so long resounded in our
ears, is sufficiently alarming. But when
the same narrow and Legitimate rule OF
constitutional construction, by which, two
or three states are endeavoring 10 elevate
| themselves at the expense OF the rest OF
the union, i. resorted to, foI the purpose
of establishing the exclusive claim OF a
small DISTINGUISHED territory, to constitute
| the permanent seat OF the Federal govern
ment, without regard to, and possibly in
! opposition to the best interests OF the whole
| community, II is proper that this applica-
| tion Of the rule, at least, should be seri-
| ously and solemnIy resisted.
The propriety, and indeed the absolute
necessity of giving to every government,
| the power of designating, at all times, the
place, from which its laws shall smanate,
I and at which, its various operations shall
| be conducted, must be too obvious, to re-
quire any labored argument to prove it.
That the people would have right, in the
first ore izs ion OF their government, or
at any subsequent period, to limit and re-
strain this power, is not denied But are
there any prudential consider .tions, requIr-
,ng such rest,sinl?And would not the sound
est dictates Of policy forbid limitation,
that would cripple thesgovernment, with
out benefting the people?
The power of locating the seat Of 60
ysrnment surely cannot be considered 100
dangerous a power, TO be entrusted to
those, to whom we are willing to con6de
our lives. our liberties, snc our property.
& deplorahie indeed woIld be the situation
OF that government, which should be con-
fined, at all times, and under all circum
stances, in the exercise OF its functions, TO
single spot Disease might afflict. or an
invading army be in possession Of the es
established capital Every confederation too
which induced its original location, may
have passed away, and the best interests
OF the community require an imm ediate
change. Would it be wise then to compel
The government, in such exigency, 10 re
sort to the people, and to wade through
he tedious, (n relation TO the federal GO
vernmen', might almost say,) the endless
torn. of constitutional amendment, to the
accomplishment of an object, whose va
lue. perhaps, would depend on its imme-
liste attainment? Let The experience and
the uniform practice of the werld answer
the question. Shew me the government,
no matter what its character thus limited.
Shew me the state, even in our own Uni
on, whose public authorities, do not pos
sess, in relation to this point, the fullest
and most ample power.
But am aware that the federal govern
ment, is government OF SPECIFIC and de
fined powers; and that no department Of
it can exercise any authority that is not de-
lsgated to it, either expressly or by neces
sary implication. Let US suppose then,
that the constitution had been entirely ST.
lent on the subject of the seat Of govern
ment, what would have been the powers
OF congress in relation to it? Having GER
tain specific duties assigned to 1t, 1t must
necessarily have assembled at some place
TO discharge them And as TO ii exclusively
is given the authority, Ito make all laws
necessary and proper, for carrying into ex-
eCution, either its own powers, or the
powers OF any other department OF the go
yernment," 10 it, Of course, must have
belonged, the right. in the first instance, Of
locating and establishing the seat OF go
vernment. Nor would its powers have
stopped here. 1t may very readily be con-
ceived, that the nterposition OF number.
less causes, moral as well as physical may
have rendered the situation, at first select
ed, not only announcement, but wholly TN
fit for the purposes, tor which it was de-
signed. Lisbleness 10 disease, exposure
TO an enemy, moral depravity, political
turbulence, .remoteness OF situation from
,he greater part OF the population OF the
countr,-these, and a thousand other con
sideraiions might arise, rendering it en-
tirely unfit for wholesome legislation, or
even Tor the resistance of any single de
partmen, of the government. Would not
a removal OF the capital, under circum-
stances like these, at once suggest itself,
as mean both necessary and proper to
enable the governmental continue its ope-