Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1839-02-28
Political.
From Me Neso York Herald.

the purpose Of hearing Mr.. Calhoun deliv-
er his opinions on the Land Question:
The first row was soon filled with ladies'
and on no former occasion, have seen
so many pretty articles in the markets of
love and ma;rimony. Since was in the
habit Of visiting Washington, these fair
visitors have increased amazing ly and i'm
proved as much. They come now as thick
as they 90 to Saratoga in Summer. 1t
is rather a pleasant place to lounge a few
days.
MIR. Calhoun made a short speech, hut
very much to the purpose. He gave a
picture of the progress of this country for
the next twenty years, which formed the
basis Of his views OH the land question. In
less than that period, the new States would
control the legislation in Congress. Was
it not better, then, TO meet the question at
once, sell out all the public lands 10 the
West, aud close question that would for
ever agitate Congress? He would vote a
gains, the graduation bill Of Mr.. Benton,
because he would 60 further, and ''dis-
pose" of the whole public domain. at fair
prices. TO the various States in which they
are located.
Mr., Calhoun's views were concise, clear,
and calculated to win the new States to
his project.
like Mr. Calhoun's mode ofspeaking.
1t is founded on the same principles which
regulate the manufacture of good editorial
articles-a perfect unison between analy-
sis and condensation.
l must say have not thought much
of Mr.. Clay's views or reasonings against
the reduction Of the price Of public lands.
One of the prime causes in the late revul-
sion was the operation Of the present land
| system. AS now organized, we will have
these disturbances renewed during every
period of high speculation. Yet Mr.. Clay
is in favor OF retaining this system. Mr..
Benton's system is only modification Of
the same plan-and would produce the
same results. Then again, Mr.. Clay's ar
gument that reduction Of the price Of
public land, would be uni just to the Allan
tic States, is opposition still more ridicn-
lous. The cheaper the public lands are,
the sooner the West will be settled. The
Atlantic States can, through their CONNER
cial relations, make more by facilitating the
rapid growth OF the wesl, than ifthey were
| 10 keep the lands at high prices for a GEN.
tury. The land system is only modifi'
cation of the best modern system of coloni-
nizetion-but Mr.. Clay's views are mar
row, short sighted, and entirely destitute
Of grasp of the subject. Mr.. Calhoun's
are decidedly the most philosophical and
statesman like of any of their plans.
LETTER NO. XII.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Is.
/ have just heard the tilt between Clay
aud Calhoun on the question Of the pub
lie lands-the one the greatest intellectual
loafer, and The other the most theoretical
geueraliser of this age or country. What
a little portion Of wisdom is necessary for
government In the morning, it was an
nounced that Mr.. Clay was TO speak in re-
ply to Mr.. Calhoun. Knowing that all
the fair and beautiful visitors in Washing
ton would be 10 the gallery of the Senate,
thitherward did | wend my way, very
calmly aud very coolly like young poll
tician trundling cabbages to market. The
first tier of the gallery was full of ladies';
and must say that [ never saw, in any
collection, so large proportion of real
beauty, bright eyes, grace and every ele-
ment that produced the fall of man, and
the loss of paradise. / took my position
directly opposite the chair, and had fine
view of the States on each side of the
semi-circle.
The Loafers' gallery is in the neighbor-
hood of Col. Johnson. 1t was soon full al
also.
Precisely at twelve O'Clock, the clergy
man offered up his benedction, praying
piously for wisdom from on high 10 enlight-
Ell the senatorial body. Unfortunate
ly, however, the results heretofore have
Showed that his prayers are seldom or
never attended to-and still less are those
Of the chaplain Of The House. I could
not help admiring the behavior of The la
dies and loafers, each 10 their own gallery.
These pretty women bended reverently
their lovely necks, and stopped down with
the grace Of SO many angels. The gal
lants, attaches, and gentlemen behind
them. looked up as unfeeling as so many
oysters at low water. Not so with the
loafers in their gallery. There they stood
heads uncovered, aud reverenlly looking
to the ground-a perfect pattern Of fpropri-
ETY. and decency.
Thisby the way. After the usual bust
ness oflhe morning, Mr.. Clay got up and
made his reply. 1t was very moderate
effort. and by no means increased, in my
opinion. the Intellectual reputation of Mr..
Clay. 1t was what l call the speech Of
an intellectual loafer, without order, ar
rangement, analysis, or generalization
He characteristics the plan to reduce the
price Of public lands as '.waste"-.'des.
truction,' &c. This is an entire misap-
plica'ion of language. The cheaper the
Inn nr Inf Co. IL IL