Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-02-11
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY II, 1929.
For The Phenir Gazetie.

moderation and fortearance, Is catutdteo 10
elicit light, shall submit few remarks in re-
ply to those of "A Citizen OF the District,
which appeared in your paper Of Saturday.
In the FIRST, second, aud third sections OF his
communication, which principally relate to The
constitutional power Of Congress as local le-
Rislature for the District, he observes: "That
Congress-, at the time of accepting the cession
Of the Distris,, declared that the laws aud usa-
ges then in force in the aforesaid States, should
be the laws and usages in the Districi;" mo law
was then, nor is any law noD, 10 force in either
OF those States, to abolish slavery; and that the
"right Of Congress TO exercise exclusive juris'
diction over the District, though il cannot De
questioned, ought TO be exercised in accordance
with the Will Of the majority, clearly expressed
and well defined"
Now think it must be evident TO every un.
dersianding, that Congress, when they declared
fat the time Of The cession of the DISTRICT tina,
the laws then in force in the States OF Mary
land ard Virginia should be the laws Of the
District did not declare those laws perpetual,
and thus preclude themselves from the power
Of legisa,ing for the District: because, no code
of laws, however perfect, have ever been found
competent to The proper government Of peo-
pie, without alterations 10 suit the character OF
the times; and, moreover, we know that Con-
gress have exercised this power, frequently
and bene6cially, wi,hou, consulting the mayor
hy Of the people.
admit that all civil government, ought to
emena,e from the people, and do not admire
the anomaly which this District presents in the
character Of our government; but, situated as
we are, il would be difficult, for Congress TO as.
certain, correctly, the wishes OF majority OF
the people, whenever a law is TO be passed which
affects our interests. Our Common Council
is chosen exclusively by the town, and does
not represent the county; our Levy Court is
not chosen by the people, and, consequently,
cannot represent them and our Grand Juries,
we a.e told by the "Citizen," are entitled 10 no
more consideration, in case OF this kind, than
any other sixteen or lwenty,four intelligent and
respectable gentlemen.
A county meeting, or convention OF dele
gates chosen by the county, would probably be
the be.t means Of asceraining the sense OF the
people: but it would be very incon,enient 10
have one called 10 determine on each particu-
lar law tina, may be wanted; and believe there
is no officer among u. properly authorized TO
call such a meeting. IL seems TO me then, that,
under these circumstances, Congress must con-
tinue 10 exercise its jurisdiction over this Dis
trict according to the best Judgment OF its
members eudeavoring TO promote our gene
raj prosperity, without injury to indi'idual
rights.
The Citizen OF the District" seems to
think, tina, prospective emancipation OF
slavery in the District would be unconsti,u-
tiopal, because Congress eau pass no law tend
ing TO The destruction Of private property ,cifh-
ont ADEQUATE Indemnify" Now, it should be re.
collected, that that ,ohich is not in erisence, is
NOT pyopeyfy-and that no human being can be
the property Of another in virtue Of any natural
right, but only because the la,cs q the land re-
coenize the existence of slavery, and give TO the
STAKEHOLDER legal right to the possession OF
the slave. II, therefore, the laws were altered
80 as TO declare that none hereafter born IN the
District shalt be slaves, how could any man as
ser, either a legal or an equitable right TO sub
iect 10 slavery the children born ,hereat'er!--
That venrrsted instrument, which we all con-
slider the basis Of our political institutions, de.
clares "that all men are created eQual-that
they are endowed BY their Creator with certain
D.. inalienable rights--that among these are life,
liberty. and the pursui, OF happiness" II,
therefore, liberty be the gift Of the Creator to
every man, and his inaiisn06t right how can liz
berty be forever siiena,ed from the 2ostrrity of
slaves by any act Of the Legislatures OF Virgil
mia or Maryland To suppose that slave
holder has the right Of properly in all the pos
,erity Of his slaves, both oil this and future &C.