Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1832-07-04

OF the pubic iahu5 mas occuPieu luViS "e'ei!iapi'
and excited greater interest than it has ever here
tofore done; and it is highly probable that the
payment of the national debt, for which these
lands have been pledged, will be the means OF
creating an inquiry as to the right of ownership,
which will ultimately be decided in favor OF the
State.
We have so long been accustomed to consider
those lands as the undoubted property OF Con
gress, that the sacred nature of the title is taken
for confessed; but when traced back through the
COLONY of Virginia, it will be found to have ori-
gnated in the King OF England, merely on &C
count of the right of discovery; and with respect
10 that kind Of title can only recognize right
of jurisdiction Or sovereignty, and not the owner
ship of soil for specializing purposes
1t appears, however, that the old States are
endeavoring I establish permanent proprietary
right of soil; hence the repeated attempts to d.
vide the proceeds among the several States tor
educaiian internal improvement, and divers oth-
er purposes. thus creating perpetual dram Oh
wealth to be supplied by the hard earnings oil ou'
CT liens for the benefit of the old States.
1t has seemed TO me to be the heighih OF mus
tct for government to seize upon an article whicn
Is a. free Gift Of the Almighty, and speculate
Door in their labor aud iripr vements, and herehy
90 m liz.ng the condition o. society. Taxing one
class Of citizens beyond all proportion for the
henef, If another class, (f2r it cannot be denied
that whatever forms revenue is Of the nature OF a
Iag) and in consequence OF the ohJ1st and "p-
pressive policy which has prevailed heretofore Ia
the disposal of the public lands, the prosperity q
this state has been so greatly retarded, that moth
ing short of system of donations to actual set
lers or some equivalent relief. can restore 10 ihe
State that degree of prosperity to which ii i:
LODI hxrt ho adj apfa
and for this reason i hold that the State will he
justified in claiming such alteration as mat
ter of right at the hands of Congress; and an
willing to state as my belief, that no essentia
relief will ever be obtained until decided staoe
is taken to assert and maintain our Just rights
and TO use all lairfuI and proper means to Obtain
them
II il should be said that such course will b,
da rigorous in creating difficulties with The Gene
Government, l answer cannot apprehend an.
dangerous consequences and the example of Souif
Carolina clearly proves that single State may
for course of years, earnestly contend agains
he established policy of majority Of the States
and finally have fair prospect of obtaining syel
portion of its demands and supposed rights, as /.
found to be consistent with the general welfare o
The whole.
l have thus, my fellow citizens, given hast,
outline OF my SENTIMENTS on Il SUBJECT which
consider of the greatest Importance to The peopi,
If this State, and have ascertained to my salts
fac lion. that those sentiments are acceptable 10
large majority of the people generally; and ,ha
they are gaining strength in other new States
containing The public lands, and there is ever,
encouragement to believe that those principle
will be generally supported.
There is likewise, fellow citizens, another Sub
ject which cannat omit to mention, which ha
sever been brought before any Legislature
alihongh it has been repeatedly l..
General aankson--it is the subject of rotation il
Office
1 III bringing up his subject ] am aware Of ex
citing considerable opposition against myself, bu
u believe iha, the doctrine Will be sustained b.
the people, and wii ultimately prevail, which i
that ali offices shalt be limited to a certain nun,
Der of years. Perhaps may be under mistake
ideas on this or other important subjects, as d
not pretend to he fec from faults, but having
common interest in the general welfare of th
country, ! shall chsrfully submit to the decisio
Of the public.
! NATHANIEL EANBURN.
Fandaiia, July 4, 1882.