Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1836-08-29


the bill II similar direction, if it had become my ,lu-
I, 10 decide On the question offs passage
Deetion ltnow remains for public opinion 10 the
efficacy Of which We all have 50 much reason Ia
look with confidence and hope, to determine the
character OF tho ultimate results 10 he expected
from II. That the subject is of the irn impor-
ti,nce, all must admit ; and participate fully in
the apprehcaSions so extensively entertained and
NJ freely expressed II, to I,s effects. But do moi
despair: Often We have seen our political hor-
ZION overcast with poicntiou, clouds, and tho sale
conduct of public affairs hcsct hy combinations
which, to all appearance, could no, h- overcome
We havc nrycr yet seen the umc when those doubts
and difficulties were no, finally aud satisfactorily
cleared away by the operation of this powerful corr
rector. Such, doub, not, i'll be the result now :;
and such, in the nature of things, must it ALWAYS
he, rs long rs the people are interrupted and our
institutions Tree. Prejudice, passion and selfish
ness, may rule the hour, and give direction To
public questions, when the controlling power rests
in single head, OF n few individuals whose posi-
ton excnps them from the injurious effects of OIL
6cla errors , but this can seldom happen, when
that power exists only, rs is the case with MS in
the great body of well informed and NiriuouS conn
munltlcs, who are Ia bear the consequences wheth-
erloreood or ion evil. OF public measures. 1t is now
Tor the MAJORITY of the people to decide whether
temporary expcdicnt, forced upon the country
hN conjunction of extraordinary circumstances
and rendered less objectionable in consequence of
lis effect in removing beyond the reach of party
contention and factions misrepresentation, dis
tnrbing questions IN relation To the public money,
Al moment when the public mind is, from other
causes, peculiarly liable to be undulv Influenced
by sinister nntoundcd lmputuions; on, whether the
distribution oil the public dcpostc, shall hc The pa
rent aud lowrnnncr of future distribution of the
public revenue. That the decision of tins inter
eStne question will be honestly madc we all know
and ! do not doubt that it will also be wi,cl, made
hope aud helcivc, that the public voice will de
mand, that this species of lrgi,clion shall termi-
nate with the emergency that produced il--tbal
early and efficient steps will be taken 10 prevent
the recurrence OF state of things calculated 10
furnish an excuse tor amy measure of distribution,
by the adoption OF the only natural, safe and Just
remedy ier an excess Of revenue, a reduction Of
the taxes circtnal in its results, equitable in the
details, and wisely adapted to the circumstances
of the country that We shall Ice content To CONT
me the action ofonr complicated, but admirable
system oil pos ernmrnl, State and Federal, ~ the
course thal has conducted our cOuur, to It's palm,
State oi prosperity and rcuoWu-aul shah cschew
IN future those schemes OF improvement in thrir
administration, with which the country i, from
the h ii oi them, are extremely hazlrdou, aud
whebloo oicn have quite Il, much in view, rhc in
dNiaal adyaulagr Of the protector, as The GOOD
81 the nation.
The nest subject embraced in Your enquiries
Is, the distribution "i the proceeds ct the sale o
the public Lands, amongst the States according 10
the edelal population Of each, for similar pmpo-
SEES.
My views IN regard to several public questions,
aud amongst them the proper distribution of the
public lands, were asked bv a portion Of the citl-
zens OF my own State shortly after my nomination
Ion the Presidency. They were gwen in August,
1885 aud upon the latter subject expressed in The
following words -" In respect to the public
lands, need only observe, that regard the pub
lie domain trust fund belonging to all the
States, 10 be disposed Of for their common benefit.
Ample authority is for that purpose conferred up
on Congress by an express provision from the
Constitution. In making such disposition, that boz
dY SHOULD, III my oplnIon, act upon the principle,
that the people Of the United States have a great-
cr interest N an early settlement and substantial
Improvement of the public lands, than in the
mount of revenue which may be derived from
them. To accomplish this object, tic accumull-
lion o large tracts in few hands should be diScoun-
tcnaneed, and liberal facilities afforded to the ac
QUESTION of small portions by such of our citizens,
Wherever residing as are IN good lllth dtSrouS oil
possessing them as homes for themselves and ia
males. The particular measures bv which these
results are 10 be secured, matter Of detail 10 be
settled by Congress, in the exercise of "A sound dis
crction, aided by the lights of experience and ha
wing reference 10 the general interest OF tho coun-
Try. The disposition Of the public lands proposed
bv the bill to which President Jack son refused his
assent, was in my opinion, highly Objectionable.
therefore approved OF its rejection by him AT the
time, and all my subsequent reflection has confirm
ed me IN that opinIoo." have watched the dis
cnsSon winch this subject has since undergone,
with all the attention which its importance de-
mandS, and with earnest desire To arrive at con-
cluSions in regard 10 it which shall best answer the
requirements Of Justice, and promote the interests
oil all the States, but have seen no cause 10 doubt
the correctness Of tn Sc views. am Of opinion thai
the ayails of the public lands will be cqrlta-
bly, and faithfully applied " to the common bcne-
1T OF the United StatcS," 10y then continued dp-
l3licaon to the general wants of the Treasury,
than bv any other mode that has yet been suggest
ed and that such an appropriation is in eve
~ respect preferable 10 the distribution there
oil among the States, IN the manner in your qncS-
lion proposes. Entertaining these views, can
not give YOU any encouragement that will in the
event of my election the Presidency favor thai
policy
You next ask me, whether will approve bills
making appropriations TO improve igablc rivers
above ports of entry
am not aware that there is any question i'll re-
ference 10 the subject of Internal Improvements
bV the Federal (,nyprunrut uDOn " h,h my oDi-