The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-06-09

l ioSdi taxes Oi the TWO COOntleS ana InTSt
corporations, amount, also, at least tc
$4,000 additional, besides 100000
paid to the u. States in duties OBJ i'm.
ports consumed by the jnhabitants of the
district making in all 100000, extrac-
ted from the labor and income of less than
$4,000 people,of all ages and descriptions.
And, but tor the seat of government be-
ing in the district, and the issue of about
S50O,O00 to the officers of the govern.
ment for their salaries, and to support
some important national establishments
and mprovements,wh no does not perceive
that the district of Columbia coulc not
subsist for moment in its present condi-
ton (? And the evils OF its situation must
be principals, imputed to the improper
exercise of the exclusive legislation pos
,essed by congress, having rather the eft.
feci Of feeding the cupidiiy and rapacit,
If individuals and associations. than pro-
noting the substantial and permanent in
terests and moral worth ofthc communi
y-and, from present appearances, there
is no prospect OF any remedy 10 these e.
wills being afforded by the source from
from whence they have been DERIVED
They will rather become rivetted by time
and the influence which first produced
them will every day gain strength, SO as,
in the end, 10 become irresistible. We
want representation in congress, as il is
now too manifest that there can be no
sure reliance on any legislature, however
wise and exalted, in which the governed
have no agency, and over which they
have no control. Such legislature will
be forever deceived by the Establishments
aItifces, and opportunities of individuals,
having personal views and Interests ad.
verse to the common welfare. Congress,
as now constituted, is furthermore unfit
ted for the exercise of this exclusive le-
gislation, from the momentous duties de-
vClved on il in relation 10 the various and
important concerns of the nation, which
must ever primarily occupy their aren
ton and demand their constant exertions.
ongresss then, organized as it is, can
not and has not properly exercised the lie.
gislst,on vested III 1t by the constitution of
the u States.
The third and last inquiry remains
whether the legislation for the district
would not be better performed by the
states of Virginia and Maryland, in the
legislatures OF which the inhabitants
you'd have representation, than by con
gress. body in which they are precIuded
from any representation Z"
Legislation by legislatures. in which
The citizens Of the district of Columbls
would be represented, as would be the
citizens of the county of Alexandra 10
hat Of Virginia, and the citizens of the
county ot W ashinglon IN that of Maryland
would uLquesiionabiy be more consonant
WITH the fundamental principles Of free
government adopted throughout the u
states-and must be more safe 10 our
liberties and conductive to cur interests,
being made by persons having common
interest and fellow feeling with us,--fron
being themselves equal, affected by the
lac laws which they might make. Such
Legislators would be better aualihed,
knowing and feeling cur wants, to make
laws tor US, than the members Of con-
GreSs, having, personally, no suck know
ledge or feeling, however honorable, up
right, and favorably disposed tina. body
might be TO do every thing Just and pro.
per for US.
1t being therefore, manifest,t that congress
have net, & probably cannot legislate for
us. do not our interests & our liberties re-
quire that we should he Withdrawn from
their exclusive legislation, and placed
again under the jurisdiction of the states
from which the district was taken, or I'm
der some local government more capable
for guarding both OF these two pro.
jects the FIRST ought TO be preferred, be
cause il will be cheaper--because, being
part OF two important states, their interests
would be represented in tho Legislatures,
not only of those states, but in the senate
and house of representatives in the u
States and they weuld thus possess their
due weight in both governments. Not
being viewed by the states as a state or
part Of states we are regarded in the
Ugh, of subjects of foreign government,
and alien to the people Of every state.-
Is it Just that such an anomoIy should ex
ist : May not the example eDdaDger the
liberty of our country--as none are so ft
10 make Slaves Of others as siaUeS?
A restoration Of the jurisdiction over
the district to the states of Virginia and
Maryland, seems TO be the only sure and
safe mean of relieving it from its pre-
sent iorlorB, depressed and degraded
condition, AMI Of giving new life and ac-
tivity to it in all Tvs pursuits and social re-
Iaf,ope The ai,hiecf ,vitI no nursued IN