The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1822-04-05

Ing.
but positive limitation on this subject |
IS saic, will be found in that part of the |
constitution which gives to congress, the |
power OF "exercising exclusive Ieeisla-
ton IN all cases whatsoever, over such
district, (not exceeding ten miles square,
as may, by 'cession of particular states,
ana the acceptance of congress. become
inc seat OF government ofthe u. States
very slight attention to the phraseology
oil inns clause, will satisfy any impartial
mind, that 1t was not designed either to
give TO, 10 take away from, or in any man.
ner 70 impair in congress, its power, de.
rived from the source already pointed
out, OF locating the scat Of government
according to its owD discretion. Its sole
object obviously is, to give to the legisla>
ture OF the nation, the power which it
would not otherwise have lad, of exercis-
ing over the capital of the country ,tsex-
elusive legislation in all cases wha,soev-
err" From its simple reference, however,
TO the manner in which the sea, of 90.
vernment is to be constituted, one of your
correspondents has deduced an ao6ipo-
non on the part of congress, not only to
eTercise It's power of "exclusive legisIa.
lion" but TO exercise it for ever over the
same spot.
| Confess do not very distinctly see
the precise bearing of the Grst part of
TINS propositions, on the question under
consideration for even if it were conce-
ded that the authority given to exercise
"exclusive Legislation, Imposed positive
ooigation as to its exercise, II is evident
that the obligation would be completely
! fnihieo by ITS exercise over the seat of
government, wherever it might be, whe-
Their IN Its original situation, or removed
to some more convenient and eligible
spot. But it is possible that there NAV
be more in this suggestion than meets
the eve. 1t is possible, that it may be
designed to authorize some important in
ference, which has not yet been drawn.
II Is better, therefore, that it should re-
ceive, al once, the refutation to which its
palpabiy erroneous character exposes il
The meaning and stair import of the
words congress shall have power, syc."
certainly iss that congress may if it please
exercise the authority given. They un-
questlonably impose no constitutions
o6Hsdffon to exercise it, at all hazards.
and under all circumstances. To con.
gress, Tor instance, is given the power sto
borrow money on the credit OF the Uni
ted States, ""to establish an uniform rule
OF naturalization, and uniform laws on the
subject of bankruptcies, throughout the
U. States" ''to declare war; "to raise e.
support armies" and "to provide and
maintain pavies." IL surely will not be
| commended, that congress is bound 10 ex-
ercise all, or any one of these powers.
without inqniring into the expediency and
the propriety OF doing so. its practice,
at all events. has been different; for from
the commencement of the government to
the present day. no standard of weights
ana measures has been fixed and the
house OF representative has but Just de-
clded, after an arden and protracted de-
bate, against the police of exercising. at
THIS time, the power which belongs to il.
cot establishing an uniform rule of bank
| ruptcies, throughout the United States"
Nor can it be said, with any sort of pro.
| priety' that the meaning have assigned
| to these expressions, ssis not In accordance
| with the policy and intention" of the par.
! ticular provisions now under considers.
| ton; tor there are at this very time, no
less than three distinct CORPORATIONS exer-
cisiDg important legislative powers, with.
| IN those limits, over which, according to
| the Interpretation of your correspondent.
congress Is bound to "exercise exclusive
| legislation in all cases whatsoeyer."-
| Need say more to prove that a simple
power TO act, necessarily implies dis
erection, whether TO act OF not
come now, -ir, to that part of the ar
gumeDt ofyour correspondent, whose OBJ.
Ject it IS to prove, that the seat of govern
tDent being once fixed, there is no DOW
er known to the constitution, by which it
can be removed. The absence of an &C.
hress authority to give back the territory
that has been coded by particular states,
think have already demonstrated, fur
nlshes no evidence that the AUTHORITY
does not exist. If, on the contrary, it be
not e1,iiresSiy zuithheid, ii may be "exer-
oised whenever it shall appear TO be ne
cessary" 10 the wholesome and beneficial
operation of the government. 1 confess,
however, that ii the declaration, so fire..
queDly, and SO emphaticalIy made by
your correspondent, be correct, "that the
people Of the United States, by their re-
representatives. in the general and state con.
yentions, deemed it right, and avowed