Evening star., 1918-02-16

national soldiers sent to war. In gen.
nns ns d
ded. We meet fully the national obli-
cation. We bear cheerfully our share
Of the national burden. We arc entitled
to all vital national Hght0 and priv
ileges.
(5) In what particulars are you meet
ing the same national Obligation AZ
Americans who are citisens of a state {
In these days Of exalted American
ism Washingtonians are in the front
rank Of devoted Americans. They have
ever been foremost when Americantsm
meant loss instead of benefit, when to
be Americans meant to place both sac
rihce of treasure and blood sacrifice
upon the nations altar.
Washingtonians have paid their pro-
portion of every national tax, direct or
indirect, from the birth of the nation.
The only national taxes that fall di-
rectly and in ascertainable amounts
upon Americans are the internal rev.
enue taxes, including the excise and
income taxes. In total contribution in
1914 to these taxes Washington exceeds
of the states though 1t ex-
ceeds in population only six Of them.
It's contribution is greater than those
of. nine OF the states combined. The
WashingtonianS' per capita contribu-
tions to these national taxes Is greater
than that of the citizens of thirty six
Of the states.
Washingtonians have risked life and
shed their blood in every national war.
To preserve the Union the first vo1un-
teers came from the capital. and WASH
ingtonians supplied a greater percent
than nearly every state in the Union.
In the war with Spain they sent to
Cuba a fine regiment, exceeding their
quota in numbers The same response
was made when the summons to the
Mexican border came. At that time the
nf nj NJ
rolled in the organized militia was
greater in the District than in any
state of the Union. Warrington sent
more soldiers to the border than TWEEN
ty-two of the states.
In, war today no other American COM
munity responds more enthusiastically
and effectively to the call to arms and
universal service. They are eager vol
unteers of money for war through the
Red Cross and other agencies, and OF
Army. Navy. National Guard or Home
Defense League. They show patriotic
readiness to bear the burden of con-
scription, whether in the shape of taxes
imposed on lines which cause the Dis
trict of Columbia to contribute more
per capita than three-fourths of the
states, and more absolutely than nine
of the states combined: or in the shape
of universal personal service and the
selective draft
self-sacrifice made upon Americans
Washington has rendered, In rendering
and will always render full, hearty and
unstinted response.
(6) In what particulars are you de-
prived of the rights nnd privileges OF
Americans who are citizens of n state
AS suitor in the courts of the
United States the District resident has.
the Supreme Court says, lower stand
ing than an alien.
In relation to national laws the sole
function of the District residents is
to obey. They take no part in making
the laws which they mnst obey.
In relation to national taxes their
sole function is to pay. They have
nothing to xay. like other taxpayers,
concerning the amount and kind of
taxes they shall pay and how the tax
money shall be spent.
In relation to national war their sole
function is to fight in obedience to
command. They have no voice, like
other Americans. in the councils
which determine war or peace. They
have no representation in the govern
ment which requires them to fight. to
bleed and perhaps to die.
Since the 100000 Americans of the
District pay national taxes obey ma
tional laws and go to war In the ma
tlon's defense, they are entitled on
American principles to be represented
in the national government which taxes
them. which makes all Laws for them
and which sends them to war.