Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1834-01-08

States would find their interests promoted
ny such a system as this bill proposes
Their true policy consists in the rapid
settling and improvement of the waste
| lands within their limits. As d means of
Fastening those events, they have long
Been looking to reduction in the price
of public lands upon the final payment OF
the national debt. The effect OF the pro-
posed system would be to prevent that
reduction. 1t is true, the bill reserves to
Congress the power to reduce the price,
hut the effect Gifts details, as now arrang-
led, would probably be forever to prevent
its ex rclse.
With the just men who inhabit the new
States, it is sufficient reason TO reject this
system, that II Is In violation of the funda.
mental laws of the repubicand its constitu-
ION. But If it were mere ques tionof inter
est OF expediency, they would not sell their
bright prospect of increasing wealth and
gowing power at such price. They
would not place sum OF money to be
paid into their treasures, in competition
with the settlement of their waste lands.
and the increase of their popaiatlon.-
They would not consider small or a
large annual sum to be paid to their gov
|ernmehts, and Immediately expended,
as an equivalent for that enduring wealth
which is composed OF focks and herds,
and cultivated farms. No temptation
will allure them from that object OF ahid>
ing interest, the settlement of their waste
lands, and the increase Of hardy race Of
Tree citizens, their glory in peace and
their defence in war.
On the whole, adhere TO the opinion
expressed by me in my annual message oil
1882, that II is our true policy that the
public lands shall cease, as soon as prac
tluable, to be source OF revenue, except
tor the payment of those general Charges
which grow out Of the acquisition of the
lands-their survey and sale. Although
these expenses have not been met by the
proceeds Of sales, heretofore, il is qui,t
certain they will be hereafter, even aftel
IA considerable reduction in the price,
BY meeting in the Treasury so much Of
the general charge as arises from tina
source, they will hereafter, as they have
been heretofore, be disposed of for the
common benefit of the United States, ac
cording to the compacts of cesson. Idt
not doubt that it is the real interest o
each and all the States iE the union. anC
particularly of the new States, that the
price Of these lands shall be reduced and
graduated; and that, after they have
been offered for a certain number Of years
the refuse, remaining unsold, shall be
abandoned 10 the States, and the machin
cry OF our land system entirely Withdrawn
IT chonot be supposed the compacts in
tended that the United States SHOULD re-
tain for ever a title to lands withia the
States, which arc Of To value; ard no
doubt is entertained that the general in
lerest would be bes, promoted by surren.
dering such lands to the States.
This plan for disposing af the public
lands lmpaIrs no principle, violates no
compact, and deranges no system. AL
ready has the price of those lands been
reduced from two dollars per acre TO one
dollar and quarter; and upon the will
OF Congress, it depends whether there
shall be further reduction of the duties
upon imports, it seems but equal Justice
that the chief burden of the west should
be lighiencd in an equal degree al least.
1t would be just to the old States and the
new, conciliate every interest, disarm the
subject Of all its dangers, and add another
guarantee to the perpctuity Of our happy
union.
Sensible. however, of the difficulties
which surrounded this important subject,
| can only add to my regrets at Gnding
myself again compelled TO disagree with
the legislative power, the sincere dccla-
ration that any plan which shall promise
final and satisfactory disposition of the
question, and be compatible with the con-
stitution and pnblic faith. shall have m,
hearty concurrence.
ANDREW JACKSON.
December 4h, 1888.