The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-05-13
District Of COIHsABia-Why rs.
tabliShcd.

Hon. w. o. Goode, Of Virginia, in re-
cent speech in the Federal House Of Rep.
resentatives thus recites the history of the
establishment Of the seat OF government a,
Washington. 1t will be new perhaps IT,
ssme of our readers:
At the close Of the war of the Revolution
when our arms were triumphant, when the
powef of Britain was ovcrthrown, and ticto.
ry had 'perched upon our banner, the army
which achieved this glorious triumph was
left in state of destitution. The time had
cnme when that army was to be diEbandej,
and the veteran citizen soldier return to his
long neglected home. But he was without
pay-wthout o cent of money in his pocket
far away from his homej all tattered and
torn-nll wenfied and worn-he was to be
disbunded and turned looes upon the world;
without even settlement OF his accounts.
He knew not what allowance would be made
for him by the couHtry whose enemies he
had conquered, and whose liberty he had
achieved. Great and extensive discomfort
prevailed, and there was danger of general
mutiny. Never was the address of General
Washington put to severer trial, but he firm
ly essayed the task, and his efforts were
crowned with success. The spirit of pat.
riotism was dfused through the army as an
emanation from his soul. Order was restor.
ed, the army dispersed, the liberties OF
America established upon lasting founda.
ton.
At Lancaster, Pennsylvania, there was Q
canton Of raw recruits, who refused to be
appeased, and who refused to submit to be
dsbanded, by the terms which were render.
ed indispensable by the actual poverty of
Government. And venting their rage, and
vowing vengence, they took up the line Of
march for Philadelphia, where the Conti-
mental Congress was in session. Their ap.
proach was known at Philadelphia. Con-
gress called on the corporate authorities to
provide the means OF resistance and protec.
ton. The corporate authorities referred
the question 10 the State authorities, and,
pending the delay which intervened, the
mutineers had reached the city. The house
in which the sessions were held was sur:
rounded by the enraged soldiery. The pass.
ways were blockaded with fixed bayonets,
and demand was made on Council, who
assembled in the same house, that the &C.
counts should be settled in twenty minutes;
and this message was accompanied with the
threat that, unless their demands were sat.
isfed, the soldiers would be turned loose,
with arms in their hands, free from all the
restraints Of law. AZ .t.. ..,a. ,e 20
By some means, Of which am not distinct
ly informed, the members effected their es-
cape; and, before they dispersed in confu-
sion, they agreed to reassemble at Princeton.
and for some time their future sessions were
held there. After this notifying outrage
and fsgrant insult, Congress resolved that
it was necessary to establish the seat Of
Government in locality and under circum.
stances where they might exert power
and authority adequate to their own protec.
ton without dependence on municipal or
State protection; and this determination
seems very generally 10 have settled down
in the public mind. AT an early stage Of
the proceedings Of the Federal Convention
which framed the Consti tuition Of the United
States. 4 resolution was adopted instrueting
sha committee to insert clause insnring an
adequate authority in the Federal Govern
ment for al the purposes OF self protection,
which resulted in the clause tsW found Ia
ths Constitution estabIishihk cd exclusive
jurisdiction within tEis District. a'''a.
\ O1FAn aged bachelor being asked il ks
had vitnesseaA public execution, rspliedI
mo, but Ichcs ssaws mslfags.s tta !