Daily American telegraph., 1851-12-23
Communicated
RetrOcession.

When conservatism is at premium, and nom
Intervention in foreign affairs is SO clearly the
American policy, it may be questionable whether
or not Washington should cross Rock creek and
interfere in the affairs of Georgetown.
But however much it may be questioned,
"Where is Georgetown? ?" it may be safely as
sumed that it is on the same continent with us
that Washington is much interested in the action
she may take on this subject; and that we have
both principle and precedent for Intervention, if
only in words s'The first gun" from Washing
ton is greeting of the good work The question
of Retrocession has been discussed for nearly
twenty years, zealousy or otherwise, when twenty
minutes would answer the purpose to people
who know their interests, and "who, knowing,
dare maintain" For that period Georgetown
has been quietly reposing in the lap Of Delilah,
Congress, dreaming of bounties which it has
never obtained, until shorn of all strength. In
stead of the golden locks that should grace her
brow we find quite another kind-stony, cold,
freezing -disfguring her fair proportions, and
carrying away her substance Fl,
The time for talk has passed. Action is the
word. Washington says to you, awake, arise,
or be forever fallen!" There is nothing in rea-
son or nature why Georgetown should be in the
District-why any more people than absolutely
necessary should be in position so anomalous,
so inconsistent with the spirit of pur constitution
and laws. forbear the volume that swells up
on this moral theme-point we to the practical.
Look at Alexandria shaking off the dew-drops
that gittered on her garments, and assuming the
position which nature had long called upon her
citizens to assume worthy of herself and the il
lustrious Commonwealth of which she is now part
and parcel! See what aoiU can accomplish,
when fostered, not fettered, by legislation How
long viii Georgetown be the pensioner of the un-
graceful bounty of power Indifferent to her me-
cessites Does she not know that beggars
wants are never supplied? and if they were, that
encouragement only confirms hopeless imbe-
cility? Georgetown wants banks, wants rail
roads, plank roads, light water-more than all,
wants law, simply from the want Of public
spirit--of that ETHEREAL ideal something that dis
tinguishes all other people who have a voice in
the laws. Capital only embarks in chartered
craft. Capital must be represented, as well the
operatives else capital is dead.
Georgetown, 'tis said you are still sharp in a
trade. Washington has banter for you. 'Tis
a better one than Governor Seward of New York
offered Governor Smith of Virginia-that of Irish
men for free negroes. Washington offers Ameri-
can citizens in exchange. Let Georgetown be
retroceded to Maryland, and Washington will re-
trocede itself to Georgetown. The flower of the
city Ito say nothing of the lowers) will emgrate,
win seek citizenship. Your houses will be in de-
mand, your property win look up, your mechan-
les and tradesmen will have more than they can
do The unproductive and vile will give place to
the productive and good, and Georgetown will be
the pet of Maryland, the pride of herself, the
very gem of commercial thrift and literary and
social excellence. SO MOTE IT BE.