Quote by William Howard Taft
Now, I am opposed to the franchise in the District of Columbia; I am opposed, and not because I yield to any one in my support and belief in the principles of self-government; but principles are applicable generally, and then, unless you make exceptions to the application of these principles, you will find that they will carry you to very illogical and absurd results. This was taken out of the application of the principle of self-government in the very Constitution that was intended to put that in force in every other part of the country, and it was done because it was intended to have the representatives of all the people in the country control this one city, and to prevent its being controlled by the parochial spirit that would necessarily govern men who did not look beyond the city to the grandeur of the nation, and this as the representative of that nation.
Summary
The speaker in this quote is expressing opposition to giving the District of Columbia the right to vote or have representation in the government. Despite believing in the principles of self-government, the speaker argues that making exceptions to these principles can lead to illogical and absurd outcomes. They believe that the representatives of the entire nation should have control over the city, rather than the parochial interests of those solely residing there. This approach, according to the speaker, prevents the city from being governed by narrow-mindedness and ensures its alignment with the overarching goals and ideals of the nation.
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