Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-12-28


U.s.:
RICHMOND, DIX ..MBER %, 1921.
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
10 The Members Of The Virginia Legislature.
GENTLEMEN-Will you permit IA friend, a
Virginian, one who has gone with YOU in all
great constitutional questions in '98, and in
1890, to address you a few hastv lines on Il
most important proposition which is now be-
fore you :? 1t is almost enough to daunt any
man from an opposition to it, when he consi-
ders the object it has in view, and the tide
which sets so strongly in its favor.-But " hear
me for my caiise"-and if cannot convince,
let me AT least induce you To consider.
The Maryland proposition comes before YOU
under the strongest auspices. 1t Processes To
promote educatlon-to establish schools
throughout the states, give eyes To the blind.
and light To the isnorant--no object seems
more holy, more worthy of civilized socic-
ty and an enlightened government. If the
end he so noble, what are the means? To
| appropratea portion of the public lands which
seem to be the property of all in order that
every state may receive its share alike-tilat
Maryland and Virginia may stand upon the
same footing, with Tennesseeand Ohio. Equi-
| ~, justice, the principles ofthe confederation
seem to call it. This proposition, too, thus
| speclous and fair, seems To- tmite,wit but few
exceptions, every voice in its favor. The lp-
gIs!ature OF New York, the senate ofthe Unit
| I'd States, the Governor of Ohio. have declar-
ed against it; hut Maryland, New Hampshire.
! New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Vermont have
eagerly adopted it; and the states of s. Caro-
lima, of Georgia, Of Pennsylvania, and Kentuc-
Ky are about adding the weight of their res
| pcctable names to the brilliant propositon-
Against such a scheme, so Zralousy supported,
does 1t not almost appear rash for any one to
raise his voice, or entertain doubt Yet have
III doubts-and beg YOU 10 weigh them.
/ can take no step in political matters, I'M
TIL lock into the constitutional right of the
power which is To be exercised. Have Con-
Sress right 10 give the existing states a part
oi the public lands for the benefit of schools {?
AnalyZe this question as you will, it comes at
last to this: Can Congress meui.lIr with the
education of our children Is it in other words
one oi those objects which are embraced
Withm the powers given them by the consti-
tuition: Ii 1t be, point your finger to the
clause, which gives such a power. There is
more such---at least as to The existing states.
Ii II be not among the enumerated powers, TO
winch OF these IS this a necessary and proper
mean can see no such power directly or
indirectly given, as to the existing states-
Congress can give no part of the public funds,
neither money, nor goods, nor lands to such
purpose. Ii Is idle TO say, they may give
lands, and not money; because in fact. land
is money, and may be- converted into it :antl
this very conversion is the object ofthe Gift
and If they can give acres, why then not give
dollars And if they can dispose of the pub
lie lands as they please, why give them tn
Universities, to Roads and Canals orto any
purpose, which the ambition aud caprice OF
the government may suggest
In fact, gentlemen, yield upon this subject
and II is almost in vain to boast OF vour nj.
tachment to the old principles of h. repub
ilcan party. You give up your contest witt
the usurped powers of the general govern
ment. You yield to the federal doctrines o
implication and by this precedent many an
evil viii rush upon the state. Ii Virginii
yield upon this point, the friends Of consolida-
ton will chuckle at her course. Alread,
they are looking towards you with anxiou.
curiosity. They ask, g will you bite the bait p
Will you, who held so high course on con
stltutional questions when you had no interes
at stake, now stOOp and sacrifice your primer
pies because you have supposed interest tt
swerve you from them
say, SIRs, a supposed interest y because
though you get some acres for your schools
you will have finally to pay more or less fol
them. Mark the plain resulti-Congress raise
SO much revenue every year by the salt
OF their lands--ihis revenue paws YOU
debts, or supplies your expenses---
it did not come in that shape, they weuIt
have to raiscit by taxes levied in some form o.
other upon our fellow citizens, or by loans.-
f But the moment the states get their share o
the public lands, what then !? Twenty OF
twenty two have lands to SELL and will sci
them. A scene of competition, undertaking
and speculation will cnsuc, which will gene
rate frauds and intrigue-and the price of tn,
; public lands will fall. Will Congress continu,
TO sell against twenty competitors {? VIII
they not suspend their sales, shut up thei
land Offices for time, and raise the deficits
upon your people in another shape II
truth, instead of giving loose TO this food o
! speculation, you had better accept of com
mutation, take money instead3 of land an,
then as quietly submit TO be taxed out Of you
money for the support of the ordinary reve
nue..
viii not press The argument which is urg-
ed by the Governor Of OhiO.-I will no
try to show you that the new states have re
ally paid for their school lands or road land
by an equivalent which is stipulated to b,
, paid in their bargain with the u. States tina
they have exempted all the public lands In
their bosom from their taxes for five years, &c
There is some strength in this argument
though Infinitely less than in either of the 9th
crs which ! have suggested.
With The greatest Respect, Tsubscribc my
self A VIRGINJAN.
Richmond, DecemJer 81, 1891.
ROADS.
Mesrs Ed1ors.-You will oblge NE by giving tn