The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1858-06-04
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-wHY ES.
TABLISHED.

Hon. w. o. Goode, Of Virginia, in re-
cent speech in the Federal House of Repre-
sentatiyes, thus recites the history of the
establishment of the seat of Government at
Washington. II will be new, perhaps, to
some Of our readers:
At the close of the war of the Revolution,
when our arms were triumphant, when the
power of Britain was overthrown, and ycto-
ry had perched upon our banners, the army
which achieved this glorious triumph was
left in state of destitution. The time had
come when that army was to be disbanded,
and the veteran citizen soldier return to his
long-neglected home. Bat he was without
pay-without cent of money in his pocket
far away from his home, all tattered and
torn-all wearied and worn-he was to be
disbanded and turned loose upon the world,
without even settlement of accounts. He
knew not what allowenes would be made for
him by the country whose enemies he had
conquered, and whose liberty he had achieved.
Great and extensive discobtent prevailed, and
tbeie was danger of general mutiny. New
er was the address of Gen. Washington put
10 SO severe a trial; but he firmly essayed the
task, and his efforts were crowned with sue
cess. The spirit of patriotism was diffused
through the army, as an emanation from his
soul. Order was restored, the army dispersed,
the liberties of America established upon
lasting foundation.
At Lancaster, Pa, there was a canton Of
raw recruits, who refused to be appeased,
and who refused 10 submit to be dsbanded
by the terms which were rendered indispen-
sable by the actual poverty of governm ent.
And venting their rage and vowing vengeance,
they took up the line of march for Philadel-
phia, where the Continental Congress was 10
session. When their approach was known
at Philadelphia, Congress called on the corpo.
rate authorities to provide the means Of resist.
ance and protection. The corporate author
tiles referred the question to the State au-
thorites, and, pending the delay which inter-
vened, the mutineers had reached the city,
The house in which the sessions were held
was surrounded by the enraged soldiery.-
The passways were blcckaded with fixed
bay yonets, and demand was made on the
Council, who assembled in the same house,
that the accounts should be settled in twen-
ty minutes; and this message was accompa-
MED with the threat that, unless their de-
mands were satisfied, the soldiers would be
turned loose, with arms in their han ds, free
from all the restraints of law.
BY some means, of which, am not distinct
ly informed, the members effected their es-
cape; and before they dispersed in confusion
they agreed TO re.assemble at Princeton, and
for some time their future sessions were held
there. After this notifying outrage and
fragrant insult, Congress resolved that it was
necessary to establish the seat of government
in locality and under circumstances where
they might exert n power and authority
adequate to their own protection; and this
determination seems very generally to have
settled down in the public mind. AT an
early stage of the proceedings of the Federal
Convention which framed the Constitution
of the United States, resolution was adop-
ted instructiHg the committee to insert a
clause insuring an adequate authority in the
Federal Government for all the purposes Of
self-protection, which resulted in the clause
now found in the Constitution establishing
an exclusive jurisdiction within this district.