Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-08-10
CONN MUNICATED.


mise that | sincerely desire to live in the ut
most peace and harmony with all my fellow
citizens, and therefore hope that the remarks
which l shall make upon the present occa-
sion may be read in all charity and kind
ness, and duly and deliberately considered.
If what | write is considered simple and
unintelligible, forgive it reader, and pity the
obtusity of my faculties; but if pertinent
and Intelligent, let the light of reason and
the force of truth guide and direct your ac-
tons. From one of our public Journals, it
appears, that some of our tellowcitizens
called, and lad meeting at the Lyceum
Hall, few nights past, and after several,
and no doubt, able and eloquent appeals,
the following resolution was proposed and
adopted: "Resolved, That in the opinion of
this meeting, the City Council of Alexan-
dria would consult the interest OF this com
munity by advancing the bonds of the Cor
poration to the extent of $4,000, to the
Potomac, Piedmont and Valley Agricultural
Society, payable at such time as may be
deemed expedient-sai Society agreeing to
pay annually the interest thereon, and IA
sufficient sum in addition to retire the bonds
at their maturity" The writer of these
sheets has not, and never had, the slightest
objection to the establishment of IAN Agri-
cultural Fair" in or near this city, but he
is utterly opposed to our already heavily
burdened Corporation, being either directly
or Indirectly involved in the matter. To
execute and deliver writing obligatory,
and when due to refuse to pay 1T, would be
rank ini ustice on the part OF the Corpora
ton, and fraud upon the holder, but which
would certainly be enforced in Court of
Equity. No oral explanation would be per-
mltted to explain the writing, unless on its
face there was a latent ambiguity, and no
one would purcl ase it with such ambiguity.
But it is proposed that certain gentlemen
should become responsible for payment OF
the annual interest, and finally to provide
means tor the liquidation of the principal
debt Very pretty, indeed, on paper, but
do not men die? Do they not sometimes
move away to parts unknown? DO they
not occasionally become insolvent? And
what then would follow? Why using vnl gar
figure, those chat remained would have to
pay the Piper, while the many engaged In the
lance, but after this should there be de-
felt, who would have to make itup? Why
the Co,p0yatioa, which would be considered
as largely partaking of the benefits of the
establishment. Now, TO remedy this rea-
sonable apprehension and completely to keep
the CO,l,orutiou out Of the Sctupe. let each
gentleman bind himself, his heirs, execu-
tors, and administrators in SOie'(O, and then
the creditor might look to them or him, as
the case might be- Tor his just and legal
rights.
In England money bills have to originate
in the House OF Commons, must have the
consent OF the Lords, the Commons, and the
Roval assent Of the King before having the
force of an Act of Parliament, and without
these assents it is coid All money bills
must originate in the lower House Of Con-
gress, but the Senate may propose amend
ments, as on other bills; but even then be-
fore it becomes law, il must he approved
and signed by the President of the United
States. And the Virginia Constitution de-
clares that all laws shall originate IN the
House of Delegates, to be approved or re-
iactel by the Senate, or be amended, with
Tie consent of the House OF Delegates.
The above are deSi gncd as checks for the
general good, and for the publ; peace and
safety. Surely then our Hon. Board OF
Councip will not be unmindtul of their linn
tied and strictly defined powers. And yet
it is gravely proposed, that the Council shall
exercise authority, forbidden IN good old
England, and in our own happy country as
herein before stated. The mere attempt
would lessen and degrade the City Council,
composed as it is, Of most worthy and intel
lgent gentlemen. An eminent statesman
once observed, that the slightest innovation
of the Constitution OF the State, WlhtOW re-
SiStoncc. might, and would ovcrtnrn the
State | write culrpnte "aldm", and II l
make mistakes hope my te!ow-ctIzens will
excuse my blundcrS, especially as am very
sick and feeble, and unable TO look into
books Of authority. for great and fundamen-
tai principles. Let us test the question by
surprising that the Council Board should be
invoked for $4,000 to assist in establishing
a Race CouySc-that it would be the means
of congregating large crowds of persons
from the country, and suppose another set
Of gentlemen were TO urge tie C"hncil 10
furnish the means to tit up Theatre, ana
that they would par-ln the manner PROPOSED
by the a gricultuYal Fair,' would The Board
of Cuunci make, or attempt 10 make the
APPROPRIATION? There can be but one an
swer, and that in the negative. who erec-
ted the Lyceum, the Odd Fellows Hall, the
American Hail. and the titting up OF the
old Alexandria Theatre, called Liberty
Hal!?" Certainly, not the Corporation, eth
er in part or whole. but private and individ
ual st, ckholler.. But it would really seem
that a new spirit" has come over the
r &c ell o.,
zens, and now, | take leave of the subject
forever ONE OF THE PEOPLE.
JUST RECEIVED