Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-05-15
AMER|CAN|zE|
WASH|NGTON|ANS
National Representation a
Distinctive Basic Ameri-
can Right.
THEODORE w, MOVES.
Editorial Correspondence of The Star.1

Washingtonians appeal to American
equity for national representation as
a right. We demand it from Ameri-
can justice.
National representation is n dis.
tinctive basic right Of the American
citfzen-in a government of the pe0-
pie by the people for the people-in
a government which roots its Justice
In consent of the governed-in a rep
rnbly couples taxation and arms-bear-
ing ms a soldier with representation.
So far as we $4,000 residents of the
District are concerned. the American
government Is not government of all
the people by all the people for ali the
people. 1t is government of all the
people by n part of the people. The
$4,000 District residents are among
the people who are governed, but not
among the people who govern.
The $4,000 Americans of the Dis
trict do not give their consent to their
national government through elected
representatives in accordance with
American principles. like all other
Americans T1 ct the continental andcon-
In respect to the $4,000 Americans
OF the District Representation fs di.
v0rced from taxation and soidier serv.
ice. We bear all the national burdens
Of citizens Of state in national taxes,
in subsection to national laws and al
national soldiers sent to war. In gem
uine representative government riShfe
and obligations are inseparably we'd
ded. We meet fully the national ohii.
cation. We bear cheerfully our share
Of the national burden. We are enti-
tied to all vital national rights and priv
ileges.
Our Appeal IL Timely,
The time has come when the n,a.
trict Of Columbia may, without in
curing the reproach Of embarrassi.z
Uncle Sam at war, say to the nation:
II have responded promptly, heartily
and unstintedly to your call to arms.
to the sacrifice Of life and limb and
property in national defense and to the the
end that autocracy may be overturned
and representative government NAV he
established in all the world. In con-
sistency and equity reciprocate now
In my defense and overturn autocracy
and establish representative eovern.
ment in the National Capital.
Il am treated as an integral mart Of
the nation Tor the purpose Of bearing
the burden Of every national obliea.
tion. Treat me also as a part of the
nation for the purpose Of enjoying
nationa! rights and privileges, at least
principles in Congress and the electoral
college.
'As a suitor in the courts Of the
United States I have. the Supreme
Court says, lower standing th1n an
alien.
'In relation to national laws my sole
function Is to obey. I take NO part I'm
making the laws which 1 must obey.
in relation to national taxes my sole
function is to pay. 1 have nothing to
say, like other taxpayeFs, concerning
the amount nnd kind of taxes I shall
pay and how the tax money shall be
spent.
''In relation to national war my sole
function is to fight In obedience to
command. I have NO voice, like other
Americana, I'm the councils which de-
fermine wnr or peace. I have no rep
resentation in the government which
requires me to fight. to bleed and per-
haps to die.
''Since the 437, 900 Americans of the
District pay national taxes, obey ma
tional laws and go to war I'm the ma
tton's defense, we are entitled ON
American principles to be represented
In the national government which
taxes us, which makes NIL laws for NJ
and which sends us to war;