Daily national Republican. (Washington City [D.C.]) 1870-1872, 1870-02-11


Wegive below, as promised In our paper
OF Thuraday, some extracts from q me
mortal TO Congress written fifty years ago,
setting forth the reasons why the citizens
Of the District Of Columbia should be al
lowed, so far rs consistent with the ConstI-
tuition, the political rights, &C., enjoyed by
their fellow-citlEens In all other parts OF the
United statesi
e'The Inhabitants OF this District consld-
erably exceed thirty thousand. The District
has consequently reached that point Of popu-
lation which, in the territories Of the United
States, has generally been considered as entl-
Ting them TO the full enjoyment Of political
rights. This population Is principally com.
posed of those who, until lately, were citl-
Iens Of the respective States ofthls UnIon, and
possessed In common with the great body Of
the American people, the civil and political
rights OF freemen.
tin placing themselves under the protec-
ton OF the general Government, they were not
ignorant OF the nominal surrender OF some
OF these rights; but they connded that while
the final power Of legislation resided In Con-
gress, II would be so wisely and beuignantly
exercised as 10 secure TO them, inyiolably,
every civil right, and 70 extend to them, as
far as the Constitution did not inhibit, che
enjoyment Of those political franchises
which are not less the pride than the safe
guard Of our country. These expectations
have been disappointed.
"Tn stating these facts II IL far, very far
from the intention Of your memorlAllsts to
cast the slightest reflection on the several De.
partments Of the General Government. On
the contrary, they seize with Qualification
this occasion to attest their sense OF their
uniform kind feelings TO the interests Of this
District. But the evils they portray arc not
49,. a. -.
as they unfortunately do, from an anomaly
In our political Institutions, whose Injurious
consequences can ouly be eiiectually coun
terActed, as your memorialists believe, by
Rssimilating the political rights Of the Dis
trict, as nearly as the Constitution au.
thoriHes, to those Of the great body Of the
American people.
p "rhat these are not merely speculative
evils, but that their Inevitable consequences
are lamentably felt In their influence on tn,
character, morals aud interests OF the Who'll,
society, Is demonstrated by the actual stat,
of the District.
with advantages superior In many re
spects TO any part Of the Union, the growtl
Of the District does not disclose the result
of political Intellect, the steady resort Q
talent and wealth, on one of the most com
mandlng streams Of the continent, au
nearer than other nayigable points to th
Western country and Its extensive waters
Its progress would be Infinitely greater wer
II not for the deleterious influence OF cause
unknown to the other parts Of the confed
eracy. These are, It Is believed, entirely
owing to the imperfect political machinery
by which II Is directed. Did 1t enjoy, as fal
as practicable, the blessings OF self-gOyern
ment II would have within itself and unde
its control the means Of developing Its re
sources and Of applying them to those grea
purposes In promoting which oil the State
OF the Union are now so actively engaged
and which have, In every instance whert
their means have been judlclOusly applied
been crowned with the happiest success. A
soul Is only wanting to call forth and direct
the vast riches Of the Potomac and its trlb.
utary country TO render the District one Of
the most Important commercial points Of
America. While this anlmating principle II
wanting We can expect nothing but effort
dlsproportioned to the objects attempted
and abortlye not from a real deficiency o.
means, but from q want Of power TO draw
them forth and apPly them.
$50 far % regards political and civil In.
stituti0ns, which have made the American
people what they now are, instead OF I'm
"proVement We contemplate within our limit
an actual deterioration, arising from oil
laws impeTfectly administered, aud from
code of lava which for more than twent
yeAfs has been unchanged. II, therefore
more virtue, talent, and wealth do not pei
mAnently nx themselves in the District,
crimes and offences multiply, II the admin
istration OF lustice is tedious and oppressive
the cause Is manlfest-lt arises from bar
government. Your memorlallsts belley
that, politically considered, all government
but selfgoyernment is bad, and that,withou
some radical change, time, instead Of max
Ing q bad government better, will make
worse" "Your memorabilia
regret 70 notice the symptoms Of a dlverslt
Of opinion on this point, which from time Il
time have been manifested to exist anon
the cltiEens Of the District. But they cont
IDENTIFY believe that vast majority Of Its II
habitants entertain the same sentiments wit
their fellow-citlzens throughout the Unite
States, and that they would hail with 10
the opportunity that should be offered ther
of participating with them, as far as th
Constitution allows, the rights and privilege
OF free men," q