Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-05-11

States are admitted on express conditions,
i. recognizing, to the fullest extent, the right
! OF the United States te the public lands with
in their borders; and it is no more reasonable
/ to contend that some indefinite idea Of State
sovereignty over rides oil these stipulations,
and makes the lands the property Of the
States, against the conditions and provisions
of their own Constitution and the Constitu-
ton OF the United States. than il would be
that a similar doctrine entitled the State OF
! New York to the monies collected ut the
Custom House in this City: since il is no more
inconsistent with sovereignty that one 60
vernme mt should hold lands for the purpose
Of sale, within the territory Of another, than
il is that it should lay and collect taxes and
duties within such territory. Whatever ex-
/ travngant pretensions may have been set up,
heretofore, there was not, ] suppose, an en-
lightened man in the whole West, who III
sisted on any such right in the States, when
the proposition to cedc the lands to the States
wns made, in the late session of Congress-
The public lands being, therefore, the COM
mon property Of oil the people, OF all the
States, ] shall never consent to give them
away to particular States, or to dispose Of
them otherwise than for the general good,
and the general use Of the whole Country.
|, felt bound, therefore, on the occasion just
alluded to, to resist, al the threshold, a pro-
position to ccde the public lands to the States
in which they lie, OIL certain condit 'ons.
\ ! very much regretted the introduction of
such measure, as its effects must be, fear,
only to agitato what was well settled, and to-
disturb that course Of proceeding in regard
10 the public lands, which forty years of ex-
perience have shown to be SO wise, and sol
satisfactory in its operation, both to the peo-
pie of the old States, and to those of the
new.
But, Gentlemen, although the public lands
are not to be given away, or ceded to partc-
ular States. a very liberal policy in regard to-
them ought undoubtedly to prevail. Such a
policy has prevailed, and have steadily sup
ported it, and shall continue to support il So
long ns may remain in public life. The
main object, in regard to these lands. Is un-
doubtedy to settle them 80 fast as the growth
Of our population, and its augmentation BY
emigration may enable us to settle them.
|. The lands. therefore, should be sold at a
low price, and, for one, have never doubted
the right or cxpedency oil granting portions
of the lands themselves, or of making grants
Of money for objects Of internal improvements
connected with them.
|, l have always supported liberal appropria-
tions for the purpose Of opening communica-
tions, to and through these lands, by common
roads, canals and railroads; and where lands
Of little value have been long in market, and
on account Of their Indifferent quality,ure not
likely to command the common price, know
no objection Ia a reduction Of price,as to such
lands so that they may pass INTO ownership.
Nor do feel any objections to remove those
restraints which prevent the states from tax
ing tho lands, for five years after they are
sold. But while in these and oil other re-
spects, am not only reconciled to a liberal
policy, but espousc it and support it, and have
constantly done so, hold, still, the national
domain to be the general property Of the
country, confided to the care Of Congress-,
and which Congress is solemnly bound to-
protect and preserve, for the common good.
/ The benefit derived from the public lands,
after all, is and must be, in the greatest de-
gree, enjoyed by those who buy them, and
settle upon them. The original price paid to
!, government constitutes but a small part Of
their actual value. Their immediate rise IN
value, in the hands of the settler, gives him
competence. lie exercises power Of selec-
ton, over vast region of fertile territory, all
on sale at the same price, and that price an
exceeding low one. Selection ia no sooner
made, cultivation is no sooner begun, and the
first iurrow turned, than he finds himself II
man ofproperty. These are the advantages
Of western emigrants, and western settlers;
and they are such, certainly, as no country
on earth ever before afforded to her citizens.
This opportunity Of purchase and sc settlement,
this certainty Of enhanced value, these sure
means Of imined date competence and ultimate
wealth, all these are the rights, and the bles-
sings of the people Of the west, and they have
my hearty wishes for their full and perfect
enjoyment. 5y4
i lrthe next place, Gentlemen, am Of o.
pnion, that with no more than usual skill in
O the application of the we'll tried principles Of
discriminating and specific duties, all the
branches of National Industry, may be pro-
tectcd without imposing such duties on in'-
posts, as shall ovcrchargc the Treasury.
And as to the revenues arising from the
sales of the public lands, | am Of opinion that
they ought to be set apart for the use OF the
states. The states need the money. The
government of the United States does not
need it. Many Of the states have contracted
l,r,e debts, for objects of internal improve
mcn,: and others Of them have important OBJ
iects. which they would wish to accomplish.
The lands were originally granted for the use
of The several states: and now that their pro-
ceeds are not necessary for the purposes OF the
general government, ] am OF opinlon that
they should go to the states, and I" The poo-
Die of the states. upon an equal principle
Set opart then, the proceeds Of the public
lands for the use Of the states; supply the
treasury from duties on imports; apply 10 these
duties Just and careful discrimination, in favor
Of articles produced at home, by our own la
Dor, and thus support, to an extent, our own
manufactures. These, gentlemen, appear to
me to be the general outlines Of that policy.
which the present condition Of our country
requires US TO adopt