Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-09-12
CITY INTELLIGENCE.

neeu not be necessarily estimated W Tile source
from whence il comes, though il very often is so
judgel Justice, truth, right and public necessity
are the same, whether advocated by the most con
spicuous or the most obscure, the richest or the
poorest--the most intelligent OF the most ignorant
This Is a free country az any rate, TO the extent
of allowing every man the right to say and do
what he pleases, with the proyiso too often for
gotten) that he does not nterferewit the rights
of Others.
So much by way prelude 10 some reflections,
which, whether considered meritorous or not, are
at least original and upon which and kindred mat
tiers, with all due Difference, he considers il the
duty OF the public press 10 speak freely. If il be
the legitimate province of the press to form public
opinion on political matters, why should it be con-
tent simply 20 reflect public sentiment on matters
of grave social and moral import? The position OF
this District in matters of law is the best evidence
of the universal hardness of the people in matters
OF prime concern, as compared with the mere ex-
citement OF politics.
Our wishes and necessities as people are
brought from time to time before Congress--.he
source of all authority here. The complicated
machinery necessary TO secure the smallest meas
ure has, doubtless often deferred our authorities
from attempting salutary reforms. II Congress
fails to do the necessary legislation of the country
Is il remarkable that the District should be neg
lected That we have sided gradually into state
of virtual lawlessness is fact admitted by Con-
gress itself in the creation Of commission of three
gentlemen lawyers to codfy the laws.
Now, we apprehend that the functions of these
gentlemen are of negative or rather very limited
i nature. That they not invested with any egis-
lative power, but merely appointed to gather up
the fragments, and present the mass for con-
gressional action.
Well we will suppose for the sake OF argument
(none othcr) that a reform bill should pass in a
reasonable number of months or years. aud be
a,hv 10 tha FIR acfian---fnr M IF
course supposes that code would be imposed
upon them without their approval. What then?
Why, the main feature might be most acceptable,
others most Objectionable; and ii tho rejection Of
any portion did not yitiate the whole proceeding,
complications and delays must inevitably ensue
The remedy for any such state OF things for the
present seems very plain. The source OF all power
Is in the people, 1t is primary, innate, and inalien
able. Secondary to none whatever. Is not, then,
the present movement advancing backwards"--
building the house before the foundation is laid
Should we not have primary cony sntion of dele
gates elected by the sovereign people, who must
know the wants of that people, and whose action
would represent to Congress at once and before
hand exactly what they areg
Can there be any objection to it whatever? How
much would il cost !? Why it strikes us that for
the singular honor of high Legislative trust, there
could be commanded an array Of legal and other
talent unsurpassed in Christendom. A representa-
ton as to numbers, or as to property or locality,
could be easily decided-not too large to make
the body unwieldy; and we would have in twelve
months what may now be the work of years, and
perhaps then not worth having We want judi
cal commercial social, and moral reforms through
the agency of law! Who should originate them
but that people, who the sole party interestedg
But the people are slow. How shall they be
quickened but by the press whose popular sup
port Ii quasi attorneyship for the advancement
ttan of int md Grad
We wait anxiously for some response from press
and people both, whether favorable or otherwise
It is only by comparison of ideas that form is given
to any subject. The very clashing Of ideas ecits
truth. Citizenship in the District is consttu-
tional paradox at best. The sovereignty though
from which we part in living here is loaned rather
than alened, to the federal government.
PREPARATORY DEPARTMENT OF COLOMBIAN Coll
LEaE-From circular Of the President and Trus-
tees Of this Institution, we learn that Mr. A. j.
Qunche A. NJ, has been selected as principal Of
this department, gentleman who graduated there
some years ago with great credit and who has
since been engaged in teaching. We wish we could
impress on the people Of this city the great intrin-
sic advantages of this school and college ndepend-
ent of the scarcely inferior Ones of being situated
outside Of the city limits in adelghtfn and healthy
location, easy OF access winter and summer, and
nffording just the necessary exercise for youth.
we WOulu Id1n nope 10 hee b1hb phlIll1 udy SOOn
revived when many Of those who grace
the legal, medical, and other professions in the
District, "with shining morning face" were seen
trudgng not unwillngly to school, As many or
most of them now live over youth in their own
children ia it necessary to commend to them adj
vautages that they have themselves experienced?
FLAG PRESENTATION This morning that old and
very popular company, the Washington Light In
fantry, turned out about forty muskets, and, pre-
ceded by Esputss band, marched to the City Hall
to receive the flag presented by the citizens OF
Washington.
Marshal Hoover appeared on the portico Of his
residence with the beautiful flag in hand, which
was salutcd by the band with the Star Spangled
Banner" He then proceeded to present ID in
terms appropriate, tasteful, and happy, in which
the history Of the company, the relations Of our
citizen sodiery to the country, with the important
services they have rendered in all our wars, were
briefly touched upon.
The flag was received by Captain Davis in the
brief terms that always characterize the man Of
deeds rather than words, or, in other words of the
soldier
We notice change in their caps, which is a
great improvement, il being light, neat and very
pretty After the ceremony was concluded, the
company took up their line Of march for the camp
of the National Guard, on Colonel Hickey's farm,
whose guests they are to-day
Quite nm excitement was produced at Justice
Carke's Office yesterday. Daniel Hexter was ar
rested by Officer Norwood, Of the police firm Of
Stewart, Tanning Norwood, and Goddard, charged
by his wife with having beaten and otherwise NAL.
treated her. They both being constitutions, "
an interpreter had to be sent for, who, arriving,
the case proceeded.
The lady, after being sworn, seemed rather 10th
to testify against her "hege lord" and indeed,
fatty denied her former assertions SO be ,utiful
in her eyes seemed her partner as he stood fast in
the clutches of the law, that she, dsregardng the
presence of quite number OF spectators, rushed
towards and embraced him b, rging his honor
the squire TO let him Off And Off he did let them,
both making bee line" for parts celebrated as
being the resort Of large rats and unwavering and
loving " constitutionas.n
0UR BALTIMORE YIsITeRs--Contrary to general
expectation, Ct having been announced that the
33d Regiment Of Baltimore would NOT visit us.
our streets were enliyened about meridian with the
presence Of several visiting companies Many Of