Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-04-06
sseg1essgnagD GgaSs6m
g'hw,'samy EreMiMg, .sss,u >.

Seet-SssWy zIsSNsNSy sE6estG CD.
Oar readers already appraised of the dispos
ton made in the Senate of the United States of
Mr. Clay's proposition to abolish the duties upon
unprotected articles, with the exception of wincs
ana silks. This proposition, have seen,
was committed, after strenuous debate, together
with the amendments proposed by Mcssrs Hayno
and others, to the Committee Manufactures
1t seems that the Senate has determined and per-
haps wisely, that the grounds assumed by both
parties, should be calmly reviewed in the committee,
in ORDER lift be possible that the Earring opinions
and discordant views entertained on the subject,
might be rcconced. The reference of Mr. Bbb,y
proposition, however, at the same time to the same
committee, directing enquiry into the expcdien.
cy of reducing the price of the public lands or of
ccding them to the States in which they respective
y lie, seems to us to have been the fruit of an art
fully contrivcd scheme, and is evidently intended
to have certain bearings and relations which do not,
on the surface, readily arrest the attention.
The proprcty of reducing the price of the pub
lie lands, of ceding them to the States respective
y in which they lie, is referred to the Committee
on Manufactures, when there is Standing Com
mittcc charged with the investigation of every
thing relating to the public lands! Does not tho
plainest understanding at perceive the entire
want OF congruty in the subjects thus blended2 IL
not this movement intended to throw upon Mr.
Clay and the committee, of which he is a proni
nent member the responsibility of reporting adj
vcrscly to this favortc scheme of the Wcst-tho
scheme of appropriating to its exclusive bcno-
fit, those immense domains which are the COM
mon property of the nation. The schemcrs well
know that Mr.. Clay, of all the public men in this
Union is the least influenced by local and section
al ccngs-that he is a statesman ofenlarged and
magnanimous views, and comprehcnds within tho
grasp of his capacious mind the interests alike of
the East and West, the North and South. Anti
cipating his opposition to REIMBURSEMENT of the
public lands, his enemies arc prepared 10 take
every advantage which they think will result from
his position. Should he report either againt
q ccssion to the several States, or against reduc-
tion in price, the cutlery will Immediately be rails
ed, that he is opposed to the Western interests
On the other hand, to advocate both either of
these propositions, will be certain to insure tho hos
tlity of portion, perhaps considerable portion,
ofthc Atlantic country.
| We are sorry to perceive the Senators from Vir-
ginia apparently lending themselves to this plot
Mr.. Tazcwcll, not content with a silent vote
the reference of Mr.. Bibbs proposition, advocates
it in speech of some length, in which he very
clearly intmatcs his opnon'in favor of reducing
for corresponding reduction in the tariff A
new coalition, it seems, is to be brought about be-
tween the South and the West, in order to pros
trate the American System and its author, and ono
of the hitherto substantial sources of the national
revenue, is to be bartered for some fancicd good
some ideal advantagc-to result from abolishing
the protective duties. Does Mr.. Tazewell really
suppose, that the protective system, which political
knavcry and folly combined have contrived to
render odous to the South, is, in point of fact,
more injurious to Virginia, than would be the wide
spread mischief which would result from bringing
down the price of the public lands still lower than
the present reasonable standard? Has not the
chcapness and fertility of Western lands already
been of the fruitful of decay and impo-
verishment to the ancient dominion? Can our worm
out and exhausted fields be reclaimed so long
as our citizens are cntccd to these luxuran regions
where land ofthe very best quality can be had almost
for the asking? And yet Mr.. Tazewoll would aggra-
vate the evil by chcapcnng still more the public do
main, and by consequence, conclusion which he
himself acknowledges, rendering our own lands
of less and less value But apart from tho
expcdicncy, let glance moment at the gross
injustice of the scheme especially to our own
State. Virginia in her generous devotion to tho
Union relnquished the right to a very large por-
ton OF the public lands. She surrendered them
peace offering the altar of our common
country, and for the benefit of all. She reserved
to herself equivalent for this act of unbounded
munifcencc, except her proportional share in tho
proceeds, when the national property should be
disposed of. Is it right that this nconsidera-
bic interest should be sacrificed to Il political ma
nUuyrc? The State of Missouri alone contains
thirty five millions of acres of public land, and
$4,000 white notwithstanding upwards Of
300 acres to every man. and child in tho
State. Is Virginia prepared to ccdo to
| sell to that State this immense territory We
take it for granted, that sale would in the end,
amount to little more than gift and we think
that will disagree with Mr.. Tazewell in
opinion that further reduction in price would
affect, in greater less degree, the value of cvo-
ry acre of land in Virginia.
We publish to-day selection from the debate,
and may resume the subject at our leisure.
INFRINGEMENT.
We rive the following from tine National Int clli-