Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-03-22
CONGRESSIONAL
SPEECH OF FELIX GRUMPY,
DELIVERED IN THE SENATE

Tho resolution Of MI. Foot, of CONNECTICUT, rcla-
tive to the Public lands, being under consideration
Mr.. GkUNDY addressed the Chair rs fOllows:-
Mr.. PREsiDENr: So long as this debate was con
fined to the subject matter OF the resolution upon your
table, felt but little inclination 10 embark in IT; and
still less inclined TO do so, while Senators were
engaged in defending themselves and their respective
States against imputaitons supposed to have been
cast upon them. The field OF discussion, however,
has boon greatly enlarged, and now embraces within
its limits many subjec OF deep interest to the people
of the United States. Upon some of these topics I
lave opinions express; and replies make to some
of the arguments OF those who have preceded me-;
and shall also find necessary to present answers to
allegations, unfounded allegations, which have been
made by others. have no unkind feelings to grau
w. or accusations to make; yet must be permitted
10 declare my opinions frankly and fully and to meet
what has been advanced by others fcarlcssly aud un
moved.
um gratificd, greatly gratGcd, at the spectacle
which this debate exhibits. a majority-an admin
istration majority, Of American Senate contend
lug against constructive federal powers aud all those
doctrines which ore calculated to increase the au-
thor,iy Of the men now in office, holding in their
hands the rens of this government This augurs WELL
1t has never occurred In tho history OF this govern
mcnt, but once beforc and OF the men who acted in
the civil revolution of 1901, but two remain in our
National councils. 1t has been the good fortune of
the senior Senators of Maryland and Louisiana,
fMessss Smith aud Livngston) alone TO have acted
Distinguished part both periods; and it fortunate
for this Senate to have both these political Nestors
direct their deliberations in the grent effort ma
king TO bring back the Government TO its true orig
nA, republican principles.
According TO the order of this debate the first in
uuiry is what the policy of this government in
relation to It's public domain Or, in other words,
what disposition should be made OF the unsold land
in the Western Statess wholly differ in opinion
with some western politicians, who Insist that those
lands belong to the respective States In which they
are situated, by virtue of their sovereignty con-
fess myself alarmed another opinion still more pre-
yalent, and muro likely to prevail, which is, that
these lands belong to oil the States, and should be
divided amongst them in proportion to their repre-
aentaton in the other House. SIR, these lands be-
long to the Federal Cove nment. In that character
they acquired partly by gi, partly by purchase.
The States, such, have no interest in claim up
on them, and if my opinion would be effectual, tile
States should not receive them the general gov-
ernment to act so improvidenty and unwisely as to
make the offer. / am unwilling to see twenty four
Sovereign States fed upon the crumbs that fall from
the federal table. never wish to see the States
pensioners upon the bounty of the general govern
ment. When gentlemen say they wish the States to
be Independent, invite them to adopt principles and
pursue course calculated to preserve their indcpen-
dcnce. If the States arc TO remain independent, it
can only be effected by their relying upon their own
resources, and exerting their own energies; and in
never looking to this government for supplies which
can be furnished or withheld at its pleasure Iffrom
the ulness of the treasury of the general govern
ment, assing from it revenue, its lands, otherwise
te States to receive their respective dividends
how can it be expected that the encroachmeIts and
As men Of experience and observation, ask Sena-
tors most of whom have served in the State Lers-
iaturest whether that firm and manly stand wall be
taken in the States, which may be proper and
sary, when thereby the risk Is encountered of stop
ping the current of Federal munifcence. The exer-
else Of the taxing power is always reluctantly
ted to, and public men avoid II at all times when
prscticable and it will require great frrnness in
State Legislature when it shall come in conflict with
the General Government, to assert the of the
State, and be thereby compelled to perform this odious
and unpopular duty. IL is with Governments as it is
with individuals If one ID in the constant habit
Of receiving benefits from another, the former loses
his Independence, and the will of the benefactor be-
comes the will of him who receives the benefaclions
Another objection is still stronger Tile stability and
permanency of our institutions depend on the peo-
pie understanding the operations of them. IRE idea
that the General Government shall collect the money
and transfer it the States, has tendency to com.
plicate the operations of the machinery of Govern
ment, and place it beyond the comprehension and
understanding of the community. BY this means the
greatest security for faithful administration Of pub
lie affairs Is lost; although the public burdens pre-
cisely the same IN the one case as in the other, and
the people taxed in the same degree All respect
for the Stnte Governments must be anihnilated when
il shall be in practice, that the of carry
ing on the State Governments are furnished by the
General Government. Whenever this state of things
shall occur the State Governments will be put down,
useless and expensive institutions; and general
government, with unlimited powers, will DO es ab.
lished. aware, that the reception OF the money
by the States, would be pleasant operation-i
would be sweet to the taste, but bitterness and death
would follow.
The General Government owned thsse lands be-
fore the States existed in which they are situated &
they have ucither bought paid for them. Their
only plea is the right which sovereignty confefs.--
Let it be remembered that tho very same act which
creates their sovereignty, the title Of these
lands TO the General Government. What Justice
.hen, could there be in these new States saying we
will enjoy ull the benefits and advantages accrung Il
ment; but will notlconpiy with the stipuIationson o
part! will not permit myself TO believe that the
new States would do such an act If they possessed
the power, Whatever Of their politicians may say
to the contrary. They would thereby lose eli claim
to that character which based justice and pune
tual compliance with engagements, aud justly incui
the charge Of want Of public faith.
II SCENE to me that the Senate must be satisfied
that neither the stacsin which the lands are situated
the states generally, have ownership ovel
these lands. The General Government is the ouI,
righfu proprietor
The inquiry then presents itself, to what objects
ehO axIa s..a.s L.. A,