Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-03-02

arc the wide tcdS, anu here Is the deep anu quick
soil for the seeds of knowledge anl virtue; and this
is the favored season, the spring time for sowing
them. Let them be disseminated, without stint
Let them be scattered, with boun'iful, broad cast
Whatever the Government can fairly do towards I
these objects, in my opinion, ought to be done.
These, sir, the grounds, succmty stated, ON !
which my votes for grants ofcnds for particular OBJ
iccts rests; while maintain, at tho same time, that
it is all fund for the common benefit. And
reasons like these, presume, have influenced the
votes OF other gentlemen from New England Those
who have different view Of the powcts of the GOV
crnmcnt Of course come to different conclusions, on
these, Us other questions observed, when speak
ing this subject before, that it we looked to auy
measure, whether for roud, canal, any thing
else, intended for the Improvement of the West, 1t
would be found that if the New England ayes were
struck out Of the list of votes, the Southern
would always have rejected the measure. Tile truth
of this has not been denied, and cannot be denied.
In stating this thought it just ascribe it to the
constitutional srruplcs of the South, rather than to
any other less favorable less cha5itable cause.
But, no sooner had done this, than the Honorable
gentleman asks if l reproach him, aud his friends
with their constitutional scruples. Sir, / reproach
nobody stated fact, and gave the most respect
full reason fur it that occurred to me. The gentle
man cannot deny the fct he may, If he choose, dis
claim the rcason 1t Is not long since had occasion
Ill presenting petition from his State. to ac-
count for its being entrusted my hands, by saying.
that the constitutional opinions of the gentleman and
his worthy colleague, prevented them from support
lug it. Sir, did state this as mater of rcproach
Far from it. Did attempt to find any other cnusc
than al honest ono for these scruplcs, Sir, did
not. 1t did not become me to doubt insinuatc
that the gentleman had either changed his sentiments,
or that he had made up set of constitutional opn-
IONS accommodated to any particular combination of
political occurrences. Had done So, should have
felt that while was entitled to little respect in thus
questioning other peoples motives, l justified the
whole world in suspccting my own. But how has
the gentleman returned this respect for others opn
ions? His own candor and Justice how have they
exhibited towards q
| he has been at SO much pains to muintan what
body has disputed the purity of his own? Why, sir,
he has asked Uhen. and hoU. and wiy, New Eng land
votes were found going for favorable the
West, he has demanded TO be informed whether all
this did not begin in 1925, and ,ohe the election of
President still pending9 Sir, to these questions
retort would be justified, md it is both cogent, and
at hand. Nevertheless, will answer the inquiry
not by retort. but by facts W. tell the gentleman
phen, and hoU, und tcity New England has support
ed measures favorable to the West. 1 have already
referred to the carly history of the Governmental
the first acquisition OF the lands-to the original
laws for dsposing of them, md for governing the ter
ritorics where they lic and have sheWn the influence
of New England men and New England principles
in all these leading measures. should not be par
doned were to 60 over that ground again. Coming
to more recent tines and to measures of less general
character, have cndcavored to prove that every
thing of this kind, designed for Western improve
ment, has depended Oh the votes of NJ England, all
tins is true beyond the power of contradiction.
And now sir, there are two measures to which I
will refer, not ancient to belong to the early
history of the public lands aud 30 recent as to
be on this side of the period when the gentleman
cllaritably imagincs direction may have been
given to Now England feeling, and New England
votes. These measures, and the n. England votes
In support of them, may be taken as samples and
| specimens Of all the rest.
In 1920, observe, Mr.. President in 1920 the peo-
pie OF the West hesought Congress for u reduction
in the price Of lands. In favor of that reduction. NJ
England with delegation of forty members in the
other House, gave thirty three votes and one only
against it. The four Southern States with fifty
members, gave thirty two votes for it, and seven
against It,. Again. in 1921, (obscrye again, SIR, the
time the law passed for the relief of the purchasers
importance to to the West, and more especially the
S. West. 1t authorized the REIMBURSEMENT of con-
tracts for lands, which had been entered into at high
prices, and reduction in other cases, less than
37a per cent on the purchase money. MANY millions
of dollars six seven, believe, at least, probably
much more, were re!inquislcd by this law. On this
BILL, N. England, with her forty members gave more
affirmative votes than the four Southern States with
their hity two or three members These two are far
the most important measures, respecting the public
lands, which have been adopted within the last 90
years. They took place in 1920 and 1921. That
is the time uhe7,. And as to the manner hon. the
gentleman already that it by voting in solid
colum, for the required relief and lastly as to the
cause achy, tell the gentleman it was because the
members from N. England thought the measures
just and salutary because they entertained towards
COT hCtAcf envy, AutIcu, or Indllcei because
they deemed it becoming them, as just and enght
ened public men, to meet the exigency which had
arisen in the West, with the appropriate measure of
relief, because they felt it due to their carac-
tcrs, and the characters of their NJ England prede-
cessors in this Government, act towards the new
States in the spirit of LIBERAL patronizng magnan-
mous policy. So much, sir, for the cause Dhy, and
hope that by this time, the honorable gentleman is
satisfied ifnot, do not know Ohen or hon. or tchy,
he will be.
Having REQUIRED to these two importan, measures,
in answer to the gentlemans inquiries, must now
beg permission TO 80 back to period still something
earlier, for the purpose still further of showing how
much, rather, how little there is for the
gcntlemans insnuaon, that political hopes or fears,
OF party associations wero the grounds of these New
England votes. And after what has been said, hope
1t may be forgiven me, if nlude to some political
opinions and votes of my own, Of very little public
Importance, certainly but which, from the time at
which they were given and expressed may pass for
good witnesses this OCCASION
This Government, Mr. President from its origin
g., IL, 80 lx.lI