Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1839-01-26
c D n e r ESS ION AL,
Correspondence OF the Baltimore Patriot.
Abstract of the speech of SMITH. OF Ind.
the Graduation Bill.

the fact tina, he had remained silen, Tor the last
five weeks.
He then went into an examination of the ques
ton that had been taken the recomnltment of
the bill, and showed that the prufcssed friends of
graduation had voted against combining its princi-
pies TO actual settlers, they voted against the
instructions after the bin had been committed.
He then took up and examined the objections
TO the graduation principles
/. That it disturbed the land system.
.. That it enured to the benefit of spectators. /
). That time evidence of value.
/. That II reduced the price of other real es-
tate
lie commented at large on these objections;
admitted that the established principles of the GO
vernment and the laws of the land should not be
disturbed, but for good cause-lustrated the idea
/ by saving. that he was aware. that the greatest
novice that could be elected TO either branch of
the legislature, was IN his seat than he
felt himself fully competent to amend the Con
stiution Of the United States and the first oppor-
iunity he was found Introducing resolutions
the subject, (alludlng to MIR. Allen Of Ohio who
had introduced resolutions amend the Consti-
tuition, which lie on the table Enacted upon but
Mr.. S contended, that where 1t manifest that
change required for the benefit of the people
ii ought to take place. He Showed that the chan
ges in the land system had been made from time
to time, and contended that much benefit had re-
| suited from it. He particularly referred to tho
divisions and Subdivisions down to forty acre
tracts and the change from the credi, to the cash
system.
: lie then examined the second proposition as to
4 snecuIa nd adm ed thai IL was nh
: lection the stem, unless confined the set
tiers, but thought the objection was removed by
8 the restriction in favor of the actual settler
: He reviewed the position, that the time alone
o that lands had been in market, was conclusive as
e to their value-sad he agreed Wi It'll the Presi-
q dent on that point, that it was not. He iustra-
Al tea, by stating, that he knew large districts IN
h Indiana, that had been in market over fifteen
= years, and yet within three years. large tracts
j., had been entered In them of first land. He
J. said that the adage that distant fields are green ,
. applied with great force to emigrants, it I'M
= possible to get the crowd of emigrants to stor
II long enough to look at the old land districts as
v they passed through the west. Request one ,t
I look land in Indiana Of the old district Is
D. and he would tell you he going to the West
r, Sir, said Mr.. S if you should open land district
on the inclined planes of the Pacific, few emf
Ill grants would stop this side Of The Rocky noun
s. tans.
lie He proposed TO offer to the emigran. he pass
a. ed through the old districts, bounty to stop an
OF locate, this he contended the main object c
Of the bill.
s: He examined the financial character of III
w proposition; said the policy of some Senators ha
changed this point pom ed to the Of tn
al deposes, and the treasury circular, the stat
=; deposie banks, requiring them to loan LIBERAL,
- The large quantities of public lands that wer
" sold, he attributed to the TACT that public land wa
~ at that time cheaper than any other property
NJ other property affected BY the quantity ,
II. money-while the public lands stationar
ed in price.
an He then spoke Of the treasury circular, requi
IS ing specie for public lan1s-.aid the reasons f
lp- its issue, and for refusing to rescnd it on the a
all piication of the friends to its repeal, were, tn
ny would stop the sales of the public lands, that tt
ne lands selling off too fast. He said the s
in nator from Missouri, (Mr. Benton,) had warnt
90 the western Senators, when the question b
. fore the Senate, TO remove that discriminate
n.y. that the whole Of the public lands would be take
ex- by spectators if it was repealed. Now The san
- Senator asks as to accelerate the sales a ma
~ ter of finance, although there specie cjrcul
I0I IN existence-the sales too SLOW for the ire
&c sury, they tell US.
'''0 He said if the friends of the measure depend
selling the 70,0OO,O00 of acres that fall with
A4e the provisions of the bill at once and repcnis
ing the Treasury in that way, they would be {
It's ceiycd. The aggregate amount of money rec
we'd for public lands, would not be increased
the bill He admitted tho truth of the propositi
. of Mr.. CLAY Of Ky, that no more lands would
sold in any event than were required for u
unless YOU let capitalists invest their capital a
Ia Ia hold them mp for increased price to the c
~ tivator which should not be thought OF for a
,g- ment.
of He placed the graduation principle upon
nd ground. that it wa. the duty of the governms
IIv to facilitate much as possible the settems
- OF the new states, they ought to have the BEN
il of all their territory. as rapidly and densely p
ope ulhteo as possioie, 10 ehapie theih 10 carry
bv their State Governments, which were sustain
,m- by direct taxation, that II the policy Of
r Of governments to create many freeholders
her ached TO the soil possible, and especia
lid. Of this.
f a He adverted 10 the argument of Mr. Clay
1t Nv. that the new states were settling and
ion proving rapidly, admitted the fact. He said,
in half had not been told. that a person who
ate never crossed the mountains before who sho
this now pass through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois
e Of Michigan, would scarcely believe his own e,