Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-04-24
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.
MONDAY, APRIL "a. 1876.
ANNEXATION TO THE DISTRICT OF CoLUM-

Columbia, we're 80 well kOOWu W oul peopie |
that we have, heretofore, thought it useless to
do more than expose, on one or two OCCASIONS
the faacies by which they sought to increase
their numbers by imposing on the Ignorance OF
inexperienced people; and it would seem that
now, snce the question appears TO be hnaiy
settled, that it is useless to say anything more
about it. The extraordinary statement made
by one of the counsel for the appellant 10 Phil
lips vs.. Payne, 10 the late argument before the
Supreme Court. that nearly all the business
men in Alexandria are anxious for the change,
may, however, if uuconsradcted. produce al
impression of its truth abroad, and lpJure US
with cur fellow citizens Of the Commonwealth
generally.
That the measure has been favored BY good
many people here, We will not attempt to deny,
but that those people do not represent either
the property or business OF the city, We tear
lessly assert. More than one-third OF our popu'
la,on is colored, and while we know that the
most intelligent and reliable portion Of the COL
ored people are as loyal to Virginia, and as
fully sensible Of the evils which would result
from separation from her IS we are, we have
no doubt that the mass of them, accustomed
as they have been to be led like sheep by few
carpet baggers and scalawags we're enchanted
with the view of negro domination which they
thought they saw in the proposed change, and
would willingly have given it their votes.
Ut white people, there are, first, small
sri
smaller number ito the manor born, who,
having been disappointed in obtaining for their
party the control of State and city affairs by
the distranchiscmcnt Of the majority OF their
white fellow ctizeos, and the consequent pos
session of official power and patronage for them
selves, desire any change which may favor
their personal interest, and, TO these We may
add very few, who. broken IN fortune, and
catchiug, like drowning men, at straWs, desire
TO reopen, 10 the courts of the District, cases
which have been decided against them By our
State judiciary.
Secondly, when the rings were at work IN
Washington, and Shepherd u 20. were max
ing fortunes for themselves aud their friends,
dra could be cut up and cut down they, too,
might make good thing of it out OF their
neighbours property Some few Of these open
ly aVowed themselves others set upon the
fence, advocating only free discussion, aud
ready TO jump over or crawl back, as public
sentiment or events might make 1t profitable.
The Board Of Public Works having collapsed,
this class, for the most part, have softly glded
out of the movement, and, if aspiring to hon
ors 10 the future, will be ready to deny all
sympathy with 1t.
Thirdly, there arc those with whom patriot.
ism and loyalty are mere names when interest
is supposed to run counter to them, and who
were weak enough to be deceived by talk about
the location OF navy yard here, great reduc
ton of taxes, rise in the value of property,
&c.. all about as "baselcss as the airy fabric OF
u vision" Such men exist 10 every commu
pity, and are not more numerous here than
elsewhere.
The great body Of the people who have
substantial interest in the city are. and always
have been, opposed to any change. When
the soil of Virginia was invaded, none OF her
Sous came to the rescue more quickly or more
freely then the young men of Alexandria, and
none OF her people bore themselves more 10y
ally TO her amid persecution and the bltterest
trials than those whom circumstances compel
ed to remain 10 our city. They remembered
the generosity with which their old mother
had welcomed them back to her en- brace, and
they determincd come what might. to stand
or fall with her. Aud such is their feeling Yet.
They know that though errors have been COM
mtted, they shared in the public works by
which her debt was created, and they do not
want to shirk the consequences Even we're
they dastardy enough to do so, they see no
remedy for their present evils in hyiog to others
they know not OF. Depriving themselves OF
all voice in their own government, would sure
iy not advance their interests as a community,
and what burdens may be laid upon The de-
tcnccess people of the District 10 the future,
no one but seer can iorctell. "Experience
teaches" says the proverb, and taking our ex-
pcrience OF fifty years and the District as a
guide, We have surely no temptation to try it
again. Neglected or iusulted, and our con,
venicnce made subSerVicnt to that OF single
Judge on the other side of the river, we were
glad to fly from Congressional projections; and
now that Georgetown, ,ohich hus not Il single |
railroad get, aohHe zoe hare four, is trying to
initiate our >eXampie, we would be, indeed, |
subjects for the lunatc asylum. did We desire |
to return TO 1t.
Our friends from abroad, therefore, who
wish to settle among US, need have no fear that
they will be transferred to the tender mercies
of the District Commissioners. or Virginia
we are, and of Virginia We will remain; bone
of her bone, f ,sh OF her flesh, now and forever
more.
The u. S. Senate.has passed bill provid-