The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1824-03-17
PLAIN TRUTH.


in the National iptelligencer, under the
head of "Plain Truth" by a writer who
is in favor of local government, are re
commended to TO those who are so pleas
ed with our present disfranchised conii
ton:
When the permanent seat OF the ma
tioDal government was established in its
present position, the towns OF Alexandra
& Georgetown unwIsely permitted them
selves 10 be embraced within the ten
miles square; thus separating themselves
from their native states and powerful pro-
tectors. They were near enough to the
seat OF government to draw from it al.
the commercial advantages which its
proximity could afford; and, under the
auspices OF those states, would probably
have maintained the superiority which
they then held over the infan, city. The
nischiels of this separation arc now most
severely telt by each. A rival and pre-.
ponderating interest in favor of connect.
ing the navigation of James river with
the Great Kcnawha, in preference and in
exclusion OF that of the Potomac with the
Monongahela and Ohio. begins to exhi>
bit indications that Virginia will but luke
warmly aid in efecting the latter, if not
entirely abandon it. The bill in favor of
the Potomac, at tire last session, passed
but by small majority. What on this
subject does that sagacious politician
general Smyib say in his late speech in
congress on the power of that body to
make roads and canals "Firgipia, blind
/ t,,f ha h.s Oh ..sy -.
To eypend her resources in opening the
Ohio and Chesapeake canal, although, il
must rival her great central communi
Cation, and divert the western trade from
her own cities. In Baltimore they un
derstsnd their own interests better-.hey
oppose the Potomac canal, but patronise
The Susquehappah canal, which will en-
'ich Baltimore, while il Injuries Philadel
pha." Here is censure bestowed ON the
liberal policy of Virginia towards the Po-
romac, aud praise on the illibe raj policy of
Baltimore, which rules Maryland, to.
wards Georgetown, If Alexandria had
been in Virginia, gen. Smyth could not
have alluded 10 her as city in a land of
strangers and therefore to be abandon>
ed. And if Georgetown had been part
OF Maryland and represented in her late
Legislature, she might have successfully
encountered and overcome the selfish
oppugnation oil Baltimore. But Aiexan
dria and Georgetown, deprived of all
political weight inVirginia and Maryland,
have become noDenlies in these great
questions {; and from the rapidly increas-
ing population of Washington, must be-
come soon trivial in their importance
in The District of Columbia.
ihe writer in lamenting TO al cslima>
bic memb er OF congress the other day,
the jealousy and eDmity of feeling mani
tested by Georgetown and Alexandra
towards the city Of Washington, aud re
gTet,ipgtha, president w ashington had in
cluded them within the ten miles square,
both for their own sakes and our's-ludi
orously observed, that he acted wisely
s like three angry cats,we must be pu, in.
to one bag and shook till we got in good
humor with one another. Perhaps if we
gel into this legislative council together,
il might answer his purpose better than
his bag-it might tend TO try his harsh
Experimentation scratch each other.
on becoming acquainted we may find our
common interests no way dissimilar, as I
trust we shall, and, acting in concert, nav
accomplish the most important objects
for our mutual benefis. If we. address
Virginia. if we address Maryland, if We
address congress, with frmness, dignity,
and u6animuy, who can anticipate the
h""e6cial- influence Of sn-A j..;rt aCus III
efecting the canal navigation of the Pc
tomac to the Ohio IT was only by united
efforts The United States gained their in
dependence. II is only by united efforts
that the district of Columbia can expect
10 be free, PROSPEROUS and hakhy. Will
the Improvement of our civil and crimi.
nal Jurisprudence be injurious 10 Alexan.
dria and Georgetown Will not eyery
additional security to life, liberty. and
property, be equally beneficial 10 every
part ut the district? II is well known tina,
| very powerful parties, both in Alexan.
| drIa and Georgetown, prefer, even at this
| day, cession back to Virginia and Ma.
ryland. But this cannot now be effected
without the consent OF those states; as
TO the county of Alexahdris, there pro-
badly woald be 10 objection on the part
of Virginia, thai state being always gene.
rous and magnsnimous in her public
conduct. But the selfish dread Of Bal,i.
more, that any other place should share
with ii in the patronage of the state Of
Maryland, il is believed, would always
be found an insuperable obstacle to the
| restoration Of the couniv of Wasb;no,an