The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-13

! of zeal and earnestness down to 1890.
"In the Constitutional Convention it was
Mr. Madison who moved to add TO the
enumerated powers Of Congress the pro-
vision which was afterward nodded into
the provision as It now appears In the
Constitution of the United States; giving
to Congress the power to exercise OK
elusive legislation in all cases whatso-
ever. over such district mot exceeding ten
miles square), as may by cession OF par
ticular States, and the acceptance OF Con-
gress, become the seat of government OF
the United States AT the first sess On
of Congress under TIE Constitution the
subject of the establishment of a seat OF
government was undertaken in good earn
est Mr.. Scott of Pennsylvania, on the
9th Of August, 1889, introduced resolu-
ton that expresses briefly the considera-
tions that were to control the location OF
the seat OF goyernment-namely: That
a permanent residence ought to be fixed
for the General Government of the United
States at some convenient place as near
the centre of wealth, population. and ex-
tent of TERRITORY as may be consistent
with convenience TO the navigation Of the
Atlantic Ocean, and have due regard to
the particular situation OF the western
country We have no record OF the de-
bate in the Senate. but the debate In the
was urged in favor OF immediate decision
that the settling Of the question OF the
Capital would form new bond Of rnion-
On the other hand, 1t was urged that
such a course might start question. upon
which the very existence and peace OF
the United States might depend.
"Fisher Ames doubted whether the Gov
ernment could stand the shock OF such
measure. which involved as many passions
~ n
ton to postpone the question to the next
session was defeated by vote Of Il to ~.
and IL was made the order for September
g. New York and New England in the
meantime and portion Of New Jersey ana
Pennsylvania formed combine In favor
Of some convenient place on the east
bank of the Susquehanna. in Pennsyl-
vania.' Mr.. Lee, of Virginia. offered
substitute providing for "a place as near
ly central as a convenient communication
with the Atlantic Ocean and an easy ac-
cess to the Western territory will per-
nit The Southern members protested
against the decision until North Carolina,
with her six votes IN the House, should be
admitted. The debate over these PROPOSE
tions was sectional and acrimonious. Seem
ingly the question was regarded so impor-
tant as to invnlve serious consequences to
the Union. NJ. Madison opposed the Sus
Importance of Communication with the
Western territory, alleging that by the
Potomac the way to The West was more
certain and convenient than the other, with
wholly unobstructed communication to the
sea- One of the unique speeches OF the
occasion was by Mr.. Vining. OF Delaware.
who said: L confess to the House and to
the world, that viewing this subject with
all its circumstances. ] am in favor Of the
ID1-a r trfof, 81 ~ Gov ,ar,t
sxed there, because l think the interest.
the honor. and the greatness of this coun-
try require It, / look on 1t as the centre
from which those steams are to flow that
are to animate and iIvigorate the aady |
polite. From thence. 1t appears to me. |
the rays Of Government will most natural !
ly divergc 10 the extremities of the Union. |
l declare that l look on the Western ter |
ritory In an awful and striking point of I
view. To that region the unpublished sons
of earth are flowing from all quarters. NJ !
to whom the protection of the laws. and |
the controlling force of the Government. |
are equally necessary; from ttis great !
i conclude that the banks
Of the Potomac are the proper station.
An Acrimonious Debate.
This as sample of buncombe oratory
has seldom been surpassed in Congress
it became more acrimonious.
Mr. Lee of Virginia said: If it should
low be found that confederacies OF States
EAST OF Pennsylvania were formed, to
unite their councils for their particular
disregarding the Southern
states, they would be alarmed, and faith
If all south Of the Potomac would be
haken. Virginia has not solicited Con-
,ress to place the seat of Government
n her State, only contending that the
interests OF the Southern and Western
ountry should be consulted and he de-
Jared that these interests would be
acriiced if Congress fixed on any place
,ut the Potomac. Mr.. Madison said:
II the declarations and proceedings of
his day had been brought into view in
he convention OF Virginia, which adopted
he Federal Constitution, | firmly be-
ieve Virginia might not have been
art of the Union at this moment. Mr.
edgwick asked If it was commended that
he majority should not govern? Are We
0 be told that an important State would
OF have Joined the Union had they known
hat would have been the proceedings in
his House?' Mr. Madison replied that
or. while acknowledge that the ma {
,rity ought to govern, they have no au-
nority to debar the minority from the l
right of free debate" This c
rduced Mr.. Ames to say that the House c
as ready to vote. and that while he had a
o doubt of the patriotism and good in
,ntions of the gentlemen from Virginia. '
ley seemed to be engaged with a degree
eagerness which none else seemed to
eel. They seemed to think the banks
the Potomac a paradise. and that I
yer an Euphrates. Mr. Burke of South =
arolina charged that a league had been
rmed between the Northern States and
Mr.. Fitzsimmons of Pennsylvania de- E
led this. as did also Mr.. Wadsworth of S
who said he did not dare /,
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