Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1822-02-21

FOR THE GAZETTE.
To the People Of Alexandria County
NO. g.

Those who nave undertaken 10 conVluCe.
us that we ought TO be restored to the state
of Virginia, urge that under the general
government, this town has languished and
become embarrassed. BY this' is to be
understood in her pecuniary circumstan-
ces. and this embarrassment is the reason
why we ought to exchange our political Sic
| ;uatiOn.
From whence we are to inter, that had
we continued prosperous, as we were Tor
many years, after the general government
assumed jurisdiction over us. there would
have been no cause for discomfort. Then
the motive which influences the leaders OF
| terest or ambitious views Ii so, why have
| we heard so much about patriotism and
| freedom, and why is it 50 dogmatically as
serted, that whatever powsr is eIercased IN
dspendentiy ofthe av,A ofthe people ,erprss-
sed indivlduallyor representatsUely' - despo'
| tism"-why is il new alledged that wash
ington, Pendleton, Wythe, Mason, Madi-
son, Adams, Hamilton, Lee, Mercer,
Monroe, and other worthless of the revolu'
ton. who contributed to form the present
constitution of the D. States, by adopting
that clause which gives congress exclusive
jurisdiction over the District, where the
permanent seat of the government should
be fixed, have been guilty OF establishing
despotssm in the heart OF our republic
Patriotism and a disinterested love OF eoun-
try would not have made so goundless
charge, on the characters of the defenders
of our invaluable rights, and the trainers
of the most perfect government, the world
L. hoy hpa n q
or ambition, which has blinded the menta
eyes and chilled the hearts OF these would
be correctors OF this error OF our distln-
guished ancestors. Then as the interest
Of the people OF the county OF Alexandra
IS TO be the guide of our reflections, on tins
subject, will proceed to inquire, what
will they obtain by a recession!
The principal benefit winch the advo
Gates Of this measure, hater themselves,
will accrue 10 US, is that those who are or
may become, ireeholders to certain ex-
tent, will enjoy the elective franchise. and
be eligible to the state and national legs
lature. ] by 90 means hold lightly THIS
privilege, yet highly valued as II IS, II
will be enjoyed by few compared 10 the
number OF the inhabitants OF the county
After it is exercised what is the beneht
which the town will derive from it: 1t the
town is receeded and placed in the politl-
Cal situation il was in, on the 27th FEB
1901, il will become part OF Fairfax
county. To the court house in that coun-
ty, must those freehoders ia Alexandria,
who have right TO vote, resort on the e.
lection days, in order to exercise the right
of voting-How many will or Tan go there!
What will be their weight in the election!
certainly not W orth the hazard they run by
the recession.
But let it not be forgotten how many of
the inhabitants in Virginia are deprived
OF this much extolled privilege. Not all
the ireehoders in that state have right
to vo'e-Al those living I'D the country do
not possess twenty five acres OF land with
a dwelling house upon it OF 1T least 10
feet square, or so acres OF land without
house, are Geried the right of voting =
All female freeholders, and all minors who
are freeholders, are also refused the exer-
| else of this franchise. The large county
of Loudoun, contains no less than $1,000
inhabitants--the number who have right
TO vote IS less than one thousand. he
county off srtax may con n about 200
| inhabitants, out OF this number about $40
can vote. In the county ot Alexandra
not more than one twentieth OF the whole
plumber of the Inhabitants who would be
able TO vote.
Are the majority of the people Of Alex
anina wiling t YIELD u; athe political sd-
yantages they ENJOY for the purpose of en-
aiding few treeholders to exercise
right which they were Indifferent abOu:
when ;hey pos essed t.
What other benefit would the change
bestow on the town? Ii will afford an op
portunity for those who think themselves
ausltied to become candidates tor, and
perhaps obtain seat in the state and ma
tional councils and other offices under the
state government. Is this reason for cur
conserving TO part from the advantages we
enjoy? Surely with rejecting people, tt
is not.
What do the people of this county loose
by not enjoying their rigbt.-They have
Congress to legislate for them. instead OF
the state Legislature. Has Congress pass
ed any law concerning the District exclu
sivply. which was not solicited by the
people OF the District? Yes, it is said they
have passed a law making the right Of up
peal more limited Here would ask, is
the right Of appeal in all cases right Sc
cured by the constitution. 1t is not, wba
has Congress done a. to this Disric, on
this subject Have they not been more Ii
beral to US than to the rest OF the citizens
OF the United States. No person can ap.
peal to the supreme court from the Circuit
Court of the United States, held in the
states, in any case where the value IN dis
pute does not amount to $4,000; whereas