Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-01-25

he questioned! am satisfied il would not be
and yet upon what principle would individuals in
this situation he relieved, which " oud not apply
10 the sufferers in Alexandria? The captives W oud
F, be relieved, because the Government would re-
gard itself as bound TO release ,hem i, being ncon-
sstent with the general welfare, that its protection
should not be extended to portion of its citizens
languishing amidst the horrors of foreign pii>on.
Suppose one OF the States reduced to poverty,
and inability to supply its necessary wants. Ivy
an earthquake, war, or any other wide pread ca
ianty- would not the general welfare require that
they should be ed from starvation by the aid OF
the national funds? Ii, in such case as this
Congress might appropriate money, might they not
do i, in an instance here the population, a
great part of the population OF city, were plung-
ell into utter want and desii,ution, by the rsvages
of fres Although the individuals to be succoured
in the one case would be more ,umerous than in
the other, would not precisely the same principle
be applicable to both? The consequence of both
of these calamites ould be, that great many
citizens we ud be helpless, useless to themselves
and a buithen upon the community such must con-
tinue to be their situation SO long they
relieved; but by mnisterrg to their wsnts-by
supplying them With food, clothes, implements OF
trade or busbandry, and habitstions, they would
be enabled provide the means OF their subsis,-
ence, aud ould gradually, 10y their labor and eX-
er,ions, contribute towards he wealth and d, fence
of the nation. Would not money thus xpended
be for he general eliare! Before this could be
denied l. mus, be denisd that the pi ospcry of in
dviduals conduces to the general welfare of the
body polite, of which ,hey n,embeyr.
Mr.. Marvin OF N. Y. was in favor of the bill.
II was true that Congress possessed only del gated
powers the rest ere ell to- The States or 10
the people. The po" er of the General Govern
ment was not sovereign, but that OF the States
so. Tie Legislature of a State had power to
Iegisate for the general welfare, and provide for
the relief of general or public calamity; but for
The people of the District of Columbia, what power
was reserved! None They had no sovereignty;
no legislature. The power to appropriate money
and 10 levy taxes, is given to The General Govern
Incnt for certain purposes, and not reserved 10 The
people. But gentlemen argue, that this is not to
be applied IN the of the District. But surely
Congress is sovereign over this District, and may
exercise it's power of appropriating money here tor
here it has exclusive legislation. The Constitution
has erected the District, and has made its inhabi
tanis little better than servants, To their political
mower; and now, il it said that Congress is 10
exercise no paternal over them' Have they
no government TO look to-? Are they placed be-
yond The pale of relief in any case? Are the CT
items of the District citizens of no cou.Ny!
Surely they are American citizens, and may look,
as well as Others, to their Government for
we have clearly the power TO relieve them, both
cons,iiutonally and physically; ard, ii so, we are
bound to exercise il, and TO relieve them now.
The question loudly ca led for in all parts OF
tie House, and having been taken by yeas and
nays, the votes ere--Y Yeas 109, Nays 81.
The bill then read third time, passed, and
sen, TO the Senate for concurrence And then
The House adjourned.