Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1869-11-04
The Capital Convention.

The National Capital Convention, re-
Gently in session at st. Louis, unanimously
adopted the following resolutions
WHEREAS, The present site of the National Capt.
tai was selected a the most central point when the
people OF this Republic, only few millions in num-
her Inhabited only narrow strip of country along
ttc Atlantic coast; and,
WngREAs. The population of this country has in
creased thirteen fold since then, and spread over
vast continent of which the States in existence
when the seat of government was located form only
the eastern cage and,
WHEREAS The present location of the National
Capital is notoriously announcement in times of
peace and AS the darkest stages Of our national his
tory demonstrate in time of war or domestic t1rbn-
ence is so dangerously exposed, as 70 require vast
ornaments and untold millions OF money Tor rs
special defence and
WHEREAS The reasons which caused the location
of the seat of government where II now Is have,
by the enormous development Of the country, and
the corresponding change in the wants OF the peo-
pie become utterly obsolete therefore,
RtSpipei That II Is absurd TO suppose that the
handful of inhabitants in 1883, just emerging from
colonial yassalage, before steamboats, railways,
telegraphs or power presses were dreamed oil,
or a mile of turnpike or canal constructed, pos
sessed the authority or desired To exercise the
power of fixing the site of the Capital forever on
The banks of the Potomac against the will and in
teress of the hundreds of million, who might come
after them.
RsSolred, That the people have endured the
present illocated Capital for three-quartcrs of a
century, patiently waiting To- the vast territory OF
the Union TO be peoped and organized into States,
and until the centre of population, area and wealth
could be determined when permanent place OF
residence for the government could be selected.
That time has come. All sectional issues are set
tied all dangerous domestic variations are dis
posed of; new err has been entered upon and a
new departure taken.
Rssoirsi, That IN the language of james Madison,
In the Congress of liS9, "an equal attention 70 the
rights OF the community is the basis of republics
Ii we consider the effects of legislative power on
the aggregate community, we must feel equal In.
ductments 10 look to the centre in order 70 md
the roper seat of government This equal aiten-
tior mas not been and cannot be, given 10 the In
torests and rights of the people 20 long Is the Cap
ital !, located In an announcement section OF the
Union -
EtsDlrsi. That the vast ard fertile region SnoWn
as the Mississippi Valley must for all time 20 the
seat OF empire Of this continent and exert the con
trolling influence in the nation, because Z Is homo
geneOus i'm it, interests and too powerful ever 70
permit the outlying States 10 sever their connection
with the tuioa This vast plaln VIII always De tae
surplus food producing portion OF the continent
and Che crest market for the fine fairies ana tFop
6ll productions oil other sections OF tue EcpUbhc
This immense basin must have numerous outlets
and channels Of cheap and swift communications
hy water and rail- with the seabuard Tor the egfes-
oi ts products ana ngreSs OF it, exchanges. There
fore. whatever policy the Government may pursue