Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1830-04-12
TWENTY FIRST CONGRESS.
Speech of Mr.. CLAYTON, Of Detarare, in
ISQl
FIRST SESSION.

Speech of Mr.. CLAYTON, Of Detawarc, in
Send!s March 4, 1880.
The moton for the indehnit pnstponement OF
the res liion of Mr. Foot, Of Connecticut,
relative 10 the Public Lands being under con
sideraton. M. Clayton, Of Delaware, ad-
dressed the Chair
Mr.. PRC,rnENr: III need an apology for
DISCUSSING topIc, "xirinslc or not strictly rele-
want to the subject of thu resolution before us,
1 shall find il in the example OF honorable gen.
temen. who, in going before me, have awaited
themselves, by general consent, of an opportu-
nly 10 debate on this motion the full merits Of
other questions OF nOmentous interest 10 our
country. While the argument was of sec
tonal character, and chiefly calcula ed 10 excite
personal and local feeling desired no pariici.
patton in il. But, although generally averse
TO any deviation frt m the ordinary rules of Par
lamen,ary proceedings, and unwilling 10 origi-
nate any new snhec OF controversy even in
the boundless latitude given o his discussion,
cannot be silent while principles are boldly
advanced and pressed npon us. mo matter how
inapplicable or inappropriate they may appear
which N NV Judgment are suhyeTsIve OF the in
forests OF this nation. or hostile to the spirit OF
Ue Federal Constitution
The resolution OF the honorable Senator from
Connecticut has nothing impe alive in it, char
acler. II lays down M new principle, and
proposes no new course of legislation but
simply asks an inquiry INTO the eIppdenCy OF
either hastenng the sales of the public domain,
or oil stopping the surveys for limited period
The committee TO whom the euquiry is propos-
ed TO be entrusted, is composed of FIVE mem-
hers all of whom are Representatives of
states within whose limits are contained large
portions OF the public lands. Seeing in this
!tGt suihLient retutatioH OF the objection that
thls lnqairy may create unne cessary alarm 10 the
Sest-ente raining The same confidence in the
hanotable members of thai Committee which
others have ofessed-beleg ing that the sub
Jet proposed to be referred 10 them is mpor-
'ant 10 the country, and thai by the adoption
Of theiresolution we may be furnished with an
interesting document in their report, my own
vote wIli be gwen against the mo ton for indrf
nlte posiponement | agree with my hunoTa-
Ole 're1d from Massa chusetts Mr.. Webster, !
'ha, The Committee may inge,,igate the whole
saJect without any express instructions By
me rules of he Senate. they already have full
jurisdiction over the matter But after all the
discussion whicn has been ELECTED by the mere
proposition h insract them 10 inquire, il is not
lfooaele that The commtie. VIA 10 so without
'oihe iurther latmatioR from the SeDaIe that
''P'!' on THIS subject would be acceptable.
cannon agree Win ks honorable Senator from
we" Hampshire MIR. Wnodnury.] that The
motion to postpo1e is calculated or intended to
prevent distinct expression Of opinion on the
s"Ject on The contrary. the posi- ,onement of
'he resolution. after discussion, would announce
70 'l' COMMITTEE our indi3 position 10 have the
ia.qu'Ty N tde dnning the present session. The
Iena'or from Connecticut Mr. Foot,l who
'es'eS this information, aud whose department
"e'e + dis mgnl;hed for urbanity and courtesy
o'oefs, mat he indu ged without any arpre-
W v"'oh u. exciting unnecessary alarm IN the
"e,'' "nIle aur refusal TO adopt any measure
" "'ro" hight on the subject, may possibly
te5'' suspicion in o,het paris of our country.
wa We are was'ing his porlion of the nations
VA ne, and are afraid thai ouI proagae
'A5' ne exposed by his investigation
'"'acrrd now 10 a brief examination of what
'Ic1iFt To have been the orlgir Of this pro
''c' and drCursive debate. We have n bill
- o" files, entitled bill ito graduate the
ne Of the public lands, to make provision for
a'fs' Barton OF Missouri, Chairman, Livingston
Kane of Illinois, Eus Of Mississippi and
-"AeY otAlbama,