Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-12-17
COMMENCEMENT.
SLAVERY IN THE DISTRICT.


subject Of the abolition Of Slavery this District
has been again brought forward By petitions from
various quarters Of the country. The utter i'm
policy Of carrying this measure into effect IN eve
~ point Of view in which it may be regarded, and
the evil which 1t would especially inflict upon the
people Of the District, appeared manifest, that
| could not believe that it was subject which
would be again agitated. Why is it deemed Pc
cuiarIy proper, would ask, to abolish slavery
in this District Not because such measure
is demanded from our situation, or because the
people, whose interests and property are to be
deeply affected by the passage of such a law, de-
sire such a result, or because the existence Of
slavery is inconsistent with any of the provisions
of our Constitution, but because, forsoUth, 1t
would crafty few petitioners in remote sections
of the country. who seem to think they possess a
perfect right TO dispose Of our property in any
way they deem most consonant to their own feel
inss. Disfranchised as we are, deprived OF eve
ry mode OF making known our wishes, except oy
all humble petition trust that we are not reduc-
ed TO the miserable situation of men whose feel.
ings and opinions are not to be consulted when
coming in collision with the feelings and opinions
of citizens of other portions Of the country, who
are alike ignorant, of situation, aud OF the Ell
feet which course of polity, suitable enough
when circumstances will admit of its adoption,
would exert upon our peculiar interests.
ask leave to call the attention Of my fellow
citizens to this subject, not that feel any appre-
hensiou that Congress will dare to pass any law
with view 10 provide for. the abolition OF slave
Nv, when such result would be deprecated Dy
those who are really interested, as an evil of the
worst kind-aud as making the small portion Of
territory we iphabit the receptacle of vile Popu-
lation, degraded by their very color, dangerous
from their vicious and immoral habits, and dreg
and burden to the community in which they live;
but | ask attention to this matter, because Il at
lords fit occasion To the people OF the District
to asser their rights, as citizens OF Tree repub
lie. So seldom are those rights made the subject
of comment. or brought before the eyes OF the
people, that we are prone to believe that all the
privileges of a citizen Of free State have been
bartered away Tor the higher privilege of being
placed under the exclusive legislation OF Con-
aress. Let us see what the authors of the Fede-
raIist thought upon this subject, and with what
design the power of exclusive legislation over this
District was conferred upon Congress:
..The indispensable necessity of complete au-
,bority at the scat of government, carries It's own
evidence with II. Without it, not only the pub
lie authority might be insulted, but dependence
Of the members of the general government on the
state comprehending the seat OF the government.
for protection in the exercise OF their duty might
bring on the national councils an imputatlon oil
awe or influence, equally dishonorable TO the 90.
vernment and Unsatisfactory to the other mem.
bers of the confederacy.
This consideration has the more weight. as
The gradual accumulation Of public improve
ments at the stationary residence OF the govern
ment, would he both too great public pledge
10 be left in the hands Of single State, and
would create so many obstacles to removal Of
the government as still further 10 abridse its ne
cesssry independence. And as the federal dis
trict IS to.be appropriated TO this use, with the
eepsent of the State ceding it; as the State will
no doubt provide, in the compact, tor the right:
and tina consent Of the citizens inbabiting It; a:
th, inhabitants will find sufficient inducements Of
interest to become parties to the cesslon; as they
viii have had their voice in the election Of The
government which is to exercise authority over
them: as municipal legislature tor local purPos
es. derived from their own sutfrases, VII OF course
he allowed them: and as the authority OF Vht
LEGISLATURE of the State. and Of the inhabitants Of
the coded part Of il to concur in the cession, vii
be derived from the whole people OF the State IN
their adoption Of the Constitution, every imagl
nable objection seems to be oov'ated'
[Fsderaiisi. No. 4s.
I have made this long extract that the views Of
the trainers of the Constitution might be 'uhy
understood; and l have no hesitation In saying
that the petitions for the abolition OF slavery IN
this District. cannot properly receive the atten'
ton of Congress. Executive Ies'slat'' q was CIV
en- to Congress for the purpose Of providing TOT
the entire independence OF government ~n''s'