The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-06-26
For the Wig Standard.

HAVE THE PEOPLE OF THE DISTRICT OF
GGppiLMu ,mmBBiA RlCHT TO EXPRESS THEIR
AND WHAT ARE THE GRIEVANCES OF
WHioHTHEY HAVE A RIGHrTO COMPLAINT
MOI.
recent events, which have transpred at the
Capitol, and the tone of the remarks INDUCED in
by politicians here and elsewhere. hns,e and
conlemptuous towards the people of this DISTRICT.
have induced me to beg the use of YOUR columns.
as journal saunch in lis devotion 10 the hest
interests of the community among whom i, is CIR
culated, whilst proceed to discuss, in a brief
and condensed manner, the points which have
adopted as the caption of my essays.
1t is common thing TO hear persons explain
that, because the citizens of tile District have no
vote, and therefore no influence on The elections
they ought to keep silent, to stand aloof from the
periodical excitement which prevails so deeply and
widely throughout the land, and, by sodoing, would
best consult their own interests, and secure the
favor OF Congress and the Executive.
would request the readers Of your journal to
refer to the time when the Constitution of the
United States was under discussion at Richmond
IN I7oc, and 10 gather from the peru-ai of the
speeches made on that clause which invested
Congress with the power Of exclusive iursIic ion
III District not exceeding ten miles square,
what were the impressions of the debaters,
Messrs. Grayson, Mason, Henry, and Madison
lhey VIII ind Mr. Mason making such remarks
as these 21u
"What sort of jury shall we have in the Ten
Miles Square The immediate creatures Of Go
vernment. What chance will poor men get,
Where Congress have power of legislating in all
cases whatever, and where judges and juries may
be under their influence, and bound to support
their operations? No, SIR; if an attempt sh,uM
De made 10 establish tyranny the Teople, here
are Ten Mules Square, where the greatest oHen-
| der may meet prdtection"
We have, on the other hand, Mr.. Madison urg
ing, in reply, the following points
d" Ii there be any knowledge in my mind of The
nature of man, should think it would be the
last thing that would enter into the mind of any
man to grant exclusive advantages in a very cir
cumScribed District tn the prejudice of the COM
munity at large. I beliere that whnterer STATE
may become The seat IF The G. neral o.ernmen,,
It c'H 6econe me oe1 @ Of 1he Jealeusy and The
enpy of the other S,1ies.''
Now, The citizens Of the District, so referred to-,
have to select one If two hngs. Eithert, verI-
fly the prophecy of Mr.. Mason, and run he almost
inevitable risk Of becoming the immediate crea-
lures of Government" or TO make good that Of
Mr.. Madison, who asserted, that whatever
Safe may become the seat Of the Gener Gov
eminent, it will become the object of tie Jealousy
and Of the e,.vy"f the other States''
If they listen to the remarks and wishes of the
threats and dictaton of the majority in the House
OF Representatives the fate of it. citizens will
he sad one, indeed They can very easily com
fortaby, and effectually consult their Immediate
temporary, and ecunlary interests, bv being si-
lent and submissive ,or rather by becoming willing
and obsequious students Of the political barolne-
ter, and by p aging courter to that majority or to
the Administration, now in power, secure for
themselves a portion of the Ioaves and fish
althOnuh al fha of
honesty, and principle. II know the people
among whom live, they will no, be so silly as
to sell their birhright for mess of pottage.
cannot suppose that any threat, oppressinn or
cajloery will induce my felIew citizens to refrain
from an honest, bold and manly expression Of
their opinions on public matters in The proper
place, manner, and occasion. They may sacri-
flee some cherished interest by their fearlessness,
but the evil will be temporary, and they will be
more respected for their independence. 1t is
only in case they should become what Mr.. Mason
imagined would be their fatc--inere Government
creatures-hangers on and partzans, aboa The
skirts OF the Democratic majority of the House
and the present Executive, that the name of a
citizen of the District of Columbia would be con.
sldered one of degradation and reproach Be-
sides, when community adopt as the motive
and end OF all their thoughts, words, and deed.
mere pecuniary and personal gain anu security,
and to that effect are willing to connive at the
vices OF those high in power, it is but the first
step in the road to dishonor. Not content with
this tact and accommodating connivance, those
thus clothed with little brief authority" Will
grow more exacting and overbearng, in proper
ton to the concessions we made to their interests
and misconduct, and will finally make it neces-
sary voucher for establishing claim for the
loaves and fishes, that the ensaved inhabitants If
the District shall take an active and unconpro.
missing part IN their measures and support Neu-
trallty will not be sufficient for our rulers-one
false step will bring on another, and by rapid
succession OF exactions on the one side and trem-
oilng concessions on the other, the poor, con-
temptible, whipped inhabitants of This political
Sodom and Gomorrah would soon become almost
too base even for pity and contempt
contend and propose, in the course of the
lew and brief essays which | wish you to pub
iIsh, for the advantage and justification of the
District, that its clizens have not only ri hi,
but that It is their duty, to express their political
opinions; and that, if they did not, their conduct