Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-05-16

49, ,''~. |..-I- - =. =
Z Po0kn on Cokohkss ovEA THIS sUB-
|.kcr IN rus DIsrRICT or CoLUMB1A.-
Having thus answered the questions. what
i sIopsryl and what the siaUs-treds9t
proceed 70 consider the power Of Congress
10 abolish both. within the limits OF this
D'arici ssrnc siiif t.ssiti
I, seems b NE. that no man can look at |
these evils. in their real magnitude. with
o.. ,n>olnniari|y, and earnestly asking,
4. there no remedy Is there no legisla-
Nv. nnihority competent TO reach the case 7
Must snek evils continue to exist here for
ever ~ AmF9 eNes
Now. SIR, l am among those who be-
lieve that these evils are not to exist here
forever: and maintain that there IS le-
eisIative authority competent to apply a
remedy. Where is that authority2
oiIn the FIRST place, il Is manifest tina. it
does not exist in any of the States. IL did
exist IN Maryland and Virginia, before
their cession Of this District; but it exists
there no longer--those States having ce-
ded the territory to TIE United States, and
with n I" szelasive Jurisdiction Of soil, and
persons residing, and to reside. thereon"
And 10 render doubly certain the true in
tent and meaning Of this transfer of juris-
diction. il is added. that it is 2 pursuant to
the tenor and effect Of the 9Th section lofthe
istarticle OF the Constitution ofthe United
States Turning 10 that part Of the Con-
slitution, we find that il gives Congress
power s'to exercise ezclnsipe legislation in
az cases ,Chatsoecef. over such district as
may, BY cession Of particular States, and
abe Acceptance Of Congress, become the
seat Of government ofthe United States"
Il IS manifest, then, that Maryland and
Virginia can exercise no more power in
, the Z cases Of slavery and the slave-trade
IN this District, than Massachusetts and
Vermont Nor have they any more right
10 ask to be consulted on these subjects
than Massachusetts and Vermont; for il
would Be q glaring absurdity TO require
Congress 10 consult those States, and ask
ih&0 to givs their ~eonsent.n when. in
making their grant Of exclusive jurisdic.
lion. they have reserved no right TO tcith
VI have anticipated the answer to tn,
question, where Is the power to provide {
remedy L Is in Congress, fully and am
plv--Nilho1t restriction OF limitation
- Az case. .claisoeper." Nothing can b,
broader There is no " ease" that is, M
sabiect natter upon which any human au
thority may rightfulIy legislaie, which j
not embraced within this grant
Iliss,metimes minated that Congress
have rightto lcgislate to the extent onl,
OF regulating the police Of the District
with view to their own security and tina
of the executive government. But wher
isto be found sush limitation of the broa
aud sweeping terms, "ali cases what's
leeerT' II such a qualification had bee
intended. Il would, certainly, have bee
somewhere at least minated. But this
done, neither in the Constitution, nor !
the grants Of the States OF Virginia s. Ma
I. ,ryland, n any where else.
But It is said that such a constructio
only, is consistent with the object Of a
grant 10 Congress Of power to legislai
for this District. If the terms used in III
grant were Of doubtful import, this latitud
of construction might be permitted; b
they are not The terms, "all cases wha
soever,"e have no ambiguity, and ADM
therefore, Of no such explanation.
But what is the supposed exclusive oil
jectofthe grant2 Thesecurity Of Congress
And may not that security be affected b
legislation having nothing Of the characte
ofthe mere police regulationsl Take, fl
example, the very case now under consit
erations May not that general legislatio
which shall affect the existence Of SLAYER
here, have much, csry much, to do with Ii
security of Congress-
~ As i is insisted that the clause of h
Constitution giving the power Of " exclr
sive Legislation in all cases whatsoever
shall be interpreted by reference to som
hing besides the terms Of the grant, let |
look little to the construction given to
A. ihe time the Constitution was formed
'afn, for example, TO the debates on the
1option Of the Constitution by the Suite
and take up the volume containing tho.
of'the Nirginin Convention. Genileme
Will not certainly. object 70 my going
Y'rgiaia for authority on this subject.
soOn locking into these debates. I find III
the clause now il question Was objected
by several Of theieadipg taen in the Coz
veniions expressly on the ground that Il
power L conferred was uHIimited. Mr. M
son said, @this clause gives an aniimit
authority 10 eUeay possible case within Ii
District Patrick Henry called il an
limited, unboHnded authorily.n Mr.. Ora
son said that, later mature deliberate
he could no. 6nd that the ten miles soua
was to be looked upon even as part of
State. but to be totally independent Of a
and subject 70 the exclusive legislation
Congress- There appears TO have be,