Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-01-24

Fsltou To,cnsmen. Repair to the Polls-de-
clare that you wish to be freemen-the spell
is broken-you require no more "lisht'" we nave
had eur one day in ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS the mo-
nsntous question Of retrocession leave local
legislature GU, ofques,ion) you will, understand,
have presented to you to-day another. DO you
wish the Mayor of Alexandria elected oy the
peoplesThis also will be opposed BY the exclusives,
those quiet, peaceable, gentlemen, who require
massive obedience and entire submission, they are
50 much afraid of excitement Oh! say they. it is
90 dangerous, it won't do for the people to think
and act for themselyes-we will save them the
trouble. But would humby ask, is 1t not bet
ter that we should have annually, wholesome ex
element, than risk an universal blaze and burst
Of Indignation, which sooner or later must sue
coed the silence Of despotism? MASON.
Mr. SnoUien. Il have been surprised that in
al the discussion have heard land have wit
messed no littel relative to the taxes necessary to
meet our current expenses and pay the interest
nm our Canal loan, that all seem to lose sight OF
the dividend we must soon draw on our Canal
Stock. | would also remark that many proper
~ holders object to retrocession IN consequence
Of The additional tax that they will have to pay.
Now Sir--If l am not greatly deceived II Is on
IL in declining town that the owner OF many
houses pays the tax, in thriving one the person
who rents will have to pay an additional sum equal
to the increase Of taxes Who will build houses
10 rent unless they will rent for sum suffi' lent
10 pay the interest, taxes, aud Insurance! no
lice these things for the consideration OF those
who are only governed by MONEY.
FSLiop. Ciiisens: The minds Of the people of
this County are again agitated by the discussion
growing out Of the proposition OF the important
measure of retrocession.
1t often happens with communities as with III
dividuals. that an impotence to arrive at the
summit Of their wishes induces them, after max
ing short trial of particular system or stitua-
tIon to be anxious TO change it Tor another, and
which prompts them to believe that they will be
able to obtain all they desire.
IL has been objected to our present situation
tina, we deprived by it OF Important political
rights. that of suffrage. &C. Let it be remem-
bered that The Legislature of Virginia, who coded
Aexandria 10 she United States, was chiefly
composed Of tried patriots; aud that the Congress
OF 1890, which accepted the cession, was COM
DO ed Of men whose exertons and sacrifices in
the caase Of liberty. endear their memories to the
e Il or ~ no M hpr cd al
that the cities Of NewYork. Philadel pha and Bal
,imore were willing as far as the votes of their re-
representatives. are evidence of their wishes.) that
the seat of government should have been located
in those great and Furnishing cities. and that
thev should be taken from their - IN theirs bo
SONS" and placed under the exclusive legislation
of Congress. stripped those very political rights
for which the advocates of retroces>Iun now call
upon YOU to sacrifice the interests of your town.
Neither must it be forgotten that the present
constitution of the United States was formed in
Convention by delegates elected by the State le-
.i>laturrs IN 1887; and that in this convention,
the people of Alexandra were represented in
common with the people Of Virginia. and gave
their consent to that clause Of the ConsuiutIou
under which Congress have jurisdiction over this
District Can it be supposed that such men as
Wm. Graysou, Geo. Mason, John Nicholas. Pat
rick Henry, Edm'd Pendleton & James Madison,
valued less those privileges, than those who now
advocate your return to Virginia. These men
who guided our counsels lin times that tried
mems SOULS whose patriotism and love If coun-
try none can doubt, could not have AL, ated any
mea,ure which VAS opposed to the happiness
or intere>ts u TIER fellow citizens. 4" The true
object OF legislation, is the welfare and happiness
OF he people, and the privilege of voting for our
legislatures Is is only valuable because it affords
Snm' security that the laws shall be made with
view to that object"
l'aue 4. highly as any Of YOU the privileges
ut ireemen, and am as willing as those who now
make snch high preteutons. to spend and be
spent in its cause But will not give up GER
taInty for an uncertainty. and enjoying all the