Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-04-02
GOyT@RlB9aI0W a u.
SPEECH OF MIR. GRUMPY.

TIL, resolution OF Mr.. Foot of Connecticut relative TO
the Public Lands being under consideration, Mr.
Gfundy addressed the Chair as follow.
MIR. PREsIDENT:-So long as this debate was COR
fined TO the subject &C the resolution upon your
table, felt but little inclination TO embark in it and
was still less inclined 10 do while Senator. wers en-
gagged In defending themselves and their respectiye
States against imputatons supposed to have been cast
upon them. The field of discussion however has been
greatly enlarged, and now embraces within it. limit,
many subjects OF deep interest tn. people of the
States. Upon OF these topics have opinions to
express, and replies to make some Of the argument.
OF those who have preceded me; and shall also find
necessary 10 present answers 10 allegations, Mfoided
allegations which have been made by others. have
no unknd feelings II crafty, or accusation, to make
yet must be permitted to declare my opinion. ,nkiy
and July, and TO me ct what has been adyanc ody o.
theirs, fearessy and unmoved
am gratifed, greatly gratihed, at the spectacle
which this debate exhibits maority-an administra-
ton majority OF an American Senate, conte aiding a
gant constructive federal powers, and all those doc.
trnes which calculated TO increase . authority of
the men now in Office, holding in their hands the rein.
oil this government. This augurs ell: il has never oc.
CURED in the history of this but once be.
fore; and, Of the who acted in the civil revolution
OF 1901 only two remain in National Councils. II
has boon The COOL fortune Of the senior of Ma
ryland and Lousana (Msssrs. Smith and LiynR,ton)
alone to have acted distinguished part at both pc riod.
and tits fortunate for this Senate to have both these po
liticai Nesors TO direct t delbrr in the great
effort now making TO bring back the Goyern mt TO il.
truo, original, republican principles.
According 10 the order Of this debate the first maui
e.
laon to its public domains, Or, in other words. what
disposition should be made of the un.old lard in the
Western Safes? wholly differ in opinion with some
western politicians, who insist that those lands beIonp
TO the respective acs in which they are situated by
virtue OF their sovereignty OF this will speak here.
alter con's' myself alarmed at another opinion still
more prevalent. and more likely to prevail, which il.
that these lands belong TO all the States. and should be
divided amongst them in proportion to their
'ai'on IN the other House Sir, these lands belong to
the Federal Government 10 that character thew were
by
States az such, have interest in, or claim upon
'nem and II my opinion would be eTectuai, the State,
should not receive them, were the General Govern
ment to act so improvdeny and un wisely as 10 make
the offer am unwilling to see twenty -four sovereign
States led upon the crumbs that fall from the Federal
table, never wish 10 the States ne 70 upop
the bounty of the General Government When rem.
,lenen say they wish The States to be independent,
invi'e Them TO adopt principles, and pursue cour,e
calculated 10 preserve their II The STATE.
are 10 remain independent, it can only be eff cted by
their relying upon their resources and exerting
heIr own energies; and in never looking 10 this gov
eminent for Supplies which can b. furnished ar with
held at it, pleasure. IL from the funess Of the trsa
sury OF TIE General Government arising from IL. rave
nue., i's lands Otherwise the Safes are to receive
their respective dividends how il he expected tina,
The encroachments and usurpaons OF thi. ut
are to be re'ised As Of experience and ob,erva-
ton ask aors, most Of whom have served in the
State Legislatures whether that firm and manly stand
will be taken in the States which NAV be proper and
necessary, when thereby the risk is encountered of
stopping the current Of Federal munificenee The ex.
n
ed to, and public men avoid it at all times when prac-
cable; and it will require great 6mnes. in Stat. La
sislaure, when it shall in conflict with the Gen.
era Government, to assert the rights of thu Stats and
be thereby compelled 10 perform this od;ous and I'M.
popular duty. 1t is with Governments as iii, with in
divduals III one man is in tbs constant habit Of re-
eevipg dement's rom another the former loses his in
dependence, and the will othe benefactor becomes the
will OF him who receives the bsn.fcton.. Another
objection 10 still stroDgs The stability and permsnen.
cy OF our Institutions depend the people
be ibsa ~, a.. ~
Government shall collect the money and transfer II "a
the Stats', has tendency TO eompcss the operations
o. hs machinery OF Government, and pl,ee il beyond
the comprehension and understanding Of the comm
nifty: BY this means the greatest security for f,in6
administration OF public affairs Is os shous h the pub.
nc burdens are precisely The same in the az in
the other, and the people taxed in the same degree Ali
respect Tor the State Governments be annjbilaed
when shall 10 in practice, that the means of
Tylng on the State Govsrnments are furnished by The
General Government. Whenever this state of thing,
shall occur, the State Governments will be nut down
as useless and expensive Institutions and General DO
vernment, with unlimited powers. will be establish cd
am aware, that the reception Of the money by In.
States, would be pleasant operation-h would h,
sweet to the taste, but bitterness and death would fol
low. "
The General Government owned these land, n. fl,
the States existed in which they situated and the
nave nellher bought paid for them. Their on1-
plea Is me 'ign' winch sovereignty tonies Let b
remembered 'n'' me very same act which creates bei
sovereignty, secures the title OF these lands tn the Gen
eral Government What Justice tben could tbs,s n
hese new States saying, we will enjoy all the ben
ehts and Advantages accrung TO us from soIernn co
pact with the General Governmen but will mn
comply with the stipulations our part. / will NO
permit myself 10 believe That the States would 4
such an act they possessed the power whatever corn
OF their p1iiicians may say TO the contrary. The
would thereby lore all claim to that character which
based on justice and puncusl compliance with engsg,
menis,and justly incur the charge Of pnnic faith
" teens TO me that the Senate NUT he satisfied ia
neither The Ststes ia which The Iauds are situated n,
the states generally, have owner.bp in these land
ant il fi,.o rI.. .I.,l.t
tor. o. F''''''
The enquiry then presents itself, 10 VIVA, obiee
thond ihese lands, or ihfir proceeds, he applie ri
General Asfembiy VI Virginia, ~ their dri OF ~ sio