Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-01-29
NnSpAY. January 6, lS3q.
SPEECH MR.. ROANE. OF pIuG,x,

SPEECH MIX. kOfNF, OF virginia.
Mr. ROANE said, that throughout tie Whole dI:cus
sion of this interesting subject during the last session
Of Congress- lie had con'sned himself with giv'ng
silent against bill similar tn that now under con
side lie should have pursued the same c"ufsr On
the present OCCASION but for the remarks ic Rave just
fallen from the honorable Senator from Mississippi, Nj
Walker te Iepsl The idea that Virginia III any
part of her conduct past or present has ever manifested
the ssh,cs, jealousy towards the new States or the POS
s:Lly tina, such feeling exist Jie iuTtherinoT"
informed that Senator that hat,ver he might think ot
the desire Of the Senator from Kentucky Mr. CiHyI t."
excite the jealousy of the cid States, especially ugn'd
against the ones, tia, ii is far above the power II"
that eloquent Senator if he desired TO do (Which
| am sure he does n"l) Of any mortal man. |" TX
cite such feeling Virginia jealous "i the new States
Why sir. they flesh q! her flesh. and blood ci her
bloud rheie has been 10 enrhly cause Tor JEALOUSY;
there never can be any. IL has always been her
high price have contributed much ~ sh" has Gore
towards their birth aud their growtb AS l"n2 as ih"
hardy and em'erprsing Of Fginil left her barren
or her exhausted soil and i moderate price PurciIaS
ed pubic land. as rich t!" haiks of the Nile their
mother Stale had other feeling Than that ni grali!ca
liun aud pleasure at knowing, that whist III the far
West they he'd greatly hcleted their "wn condition,
they had the tune, contributed largely I" the
productive labor Of ts nation and the bes, interests o"
Of! the States for ich size had made :" many ge"e
rous sacrifices aud iu which. Only. the aad cedcd
by her 10 the United States She has had cause,
air. 10 enjoy lhan tins ordinary share al pa
rental pleasure Whilst looking through ynnr lie
cislave Executive and Judicial halls in ell time past
aud present she has felt her bosom h"b with prize and
Joy al seeing her enerprislng sons from all the States
and Territories which they had migrated, sIriing on
their benches and dIsngun he'd for their talents and their
patriotism. Away then with the idea Of the a'cnsy OF
Virginia of the growth and prosperity OF her daughters
and .s;ers Of The West As we'll might you talk about
the jealousy of The home bee" f The sedunus iah"rrrs
who range abroad ard return loaded with honey extra, l.
ed from every flower Of the inrest Tor the common benr
f, Of the whole hive As well nil ht y"u talk OF ral
o. q IN
into every sea, and return TO ports gh'.d wi'h
the rich products of every cline ST. oppose this bill
not from any feeling ni JEALOUSY, but because do most
conscen;icusy think it Illegal and ut Just The land
10 which it relates cedtd for the common bcDef
of all the States Here, Sir, are The very words al
the gran, made by Virginia and II the craftsman ri
those articles OF cesSon could have joresccn purpose
10 divert these lands from the objects contemplation,
he could not have used stronger language after NIX
ing Certain reservations the article Of cesson say that
all The remaining ahd Z" shGH he construed as com
mon fund for lie and 6enGft ~ Suh Of the United
States as hare become shall Me"me members Of The
federation Fcdta alliance The SAID Suites Irgnia
ncusre according TO rr uSuai Tespectsrs proportions
in the general charge aud expenditure, anc shall be- Jah
fully and bona ds disposed Tor that purpose and Tor
other chatSoerr These, Sir are the terms
Of the cesson- words be slonger-can language he
palmer than ths' But Sir how has this "common }urd
been disposed of | will not now dwell upon The mil
lions Of which have been diverted from II 10 PR
rDte and local purposes As long Sir as people would
cross the AtaN'C Pauftt d""S u we
verv low price always demanded for them, the public
good was greatly advanced because were by that
process supplied with oi our greatest wants p"ru
ation AS long fertile Pubte lands could be purchas
cd a, the Government, price, by our ro"r and enleprIz
ing citizens of the old States, the public interest
greatly promoted by improving the industry and ncreas
ing the wealth OF the nation at large But Sir. when
ever the intention the effect Of any measure in regard
to The public lands to divert them from the purposes
for which they were obviously, and in my opinion.
n desIDDed. wi
population Of the Stales one iua 10 their wealth.
the effect merely and only 10 ranspose people from the
East to the Westyes, Sir to induce them leave good
lands and comfortable hears to settle on the refuse
lands" in the new States merely swell their popua
ton for one will enter my dissent
Mr.. President, Virginia has been drained of much Of
her wealth. and her population, and with it has gone
many, very many Of her Of enterprise, genius and