Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1831-12-16

reform in tie system, recommeni, lie sub
Ject 10 The attention OF Congress
deem ii my duty again 10 call your at
tentlon 10 tie condition of the District of
Columbia. Ii was doubtless wise in the
iremerS OF our Constitution, 10 place the
people q this District under the jurisdiction
OF The General Government; but, TO accom-
piish the objects they had in view, il is not
necessary that this people should be deprived
oil all the privileges of elf-government.-
independently OF the difficulty of inducing
The Representatives ofdistant States TO turn
their attention TO projects of laws which are
not OF the highest interest 10 their constitu-
ents, they are not Individually, nor in Con-
gress collectively, well qualified 10 legisate
over the local concerns OF this district Con-
sequently its interests are much neglected,
and the people are almost afraid 10 present
! their grievances, lest body i'm which they
are not represented, and which feels little
sympathy in their local relations, should. in
It's attempts TO make laws for them, do more
harm than good, Governed by the laws of
the States whence they were severed, the
two shores of The Potomac within the len
miles square, have different penal codes: not
the present codes of Virginia and MARYLAND
but such as existed in those States at the
time otthe cession 10 the United States. AS
Congress will not form new code, and IS
the people cannot makeone for themselves.
they are virtually under two governments.
Is 1t not just TO allow them at least dele
gate in Congress, if not local Legislature
TO make laws for the District, subject 10 the
approval or rejection of Congress? earnest
ly recommend the extension TO them of eve
ly political right which their interests re-
quire, and which may be compatible with
the Constitution.
The extension of the Judiciary system of
the United States, is deemed TO be one the
duties of Government One-fourth of the
States in the Union donot participate in the
benefits of Circuit Court.-To the States
OF Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Alabama, Mis-
siSsippi, and Louisiana, admitted into the u
mon since the present Judicial system was
organized, only District Court has been al
lowed. lfthis be sufficient, then the Cir
cult Courts, already existing in eighteen
States, ought TO be abolished if it be not
sufficient, the defect ought to be remeded
and these States placed on the same footing
with the other members of the Union. 1t
was on this condition, and on this footing.
that they entered the Union; and they may
demand Circuit Courts as a matter, not of
~O"NN'S'Oi', 'At vi lIuSt iIlut NOD-
gress will not adjourn, leaving this anoma-
y in our system.
Entertaining the opinions heretofore ex-
pressed in relation to the Bank Of the Uni
ted States, as at present organized, | felt it
my duty, in my former messages, frankly 10
disclose them, in order that the attention of
the Legislature and the People should be
seasonably directed 10 that important sub
Jcct, and that it might be considered and fl
nally disposed of in manner best calculated
10 promote the ends of the Constitution, and
snbscrve the public interests Having thus
conscientiously discharged Constitutional
duty, deem il proper, on this occasion,
without more particular reference TO the
views of the subject then expressed TO leave
it for the present TO the investigation of an
enlightened people and their representatives.
In conclusion, permit me TO invoke that
Power which superintends all Governments
to infuse into your deliberations, at this i'm
portant crisis of our history, spirit of ma
lual iorbearance and Cancellation. In that
spirit was our Union formed, and in that spi-
rit must it be preserved
ANDREW JACKSON.
Washington, Dec 6, 1881.
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