Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1839-09-26
SNCnRURG, sEPTEMBER 20. 1870.
THE PUBLIC LAMBS

There is no question, in which the people have
so deep aud obN an interest, in relation 10 which
they seem 10 ma iiest 50 llie concern, as in the
final disposition Of the Public Domain. We have
heretofore endca,ofed 10 the il attention TO its
vital importance, and VIC shall hereafter continue TO
do So convinced as aIe that il is only necessary
that they should correctly understand it, in order
July TO appreciate Its magnitude, and the immense
stake inyoly, in its adjustment. The articles which
We have heretofore copied from the New York Con.
rier, and the publca, OF which is resumed this
morning and will be continued in our next emboJy
some interesting "reminiscences on this topic which
cannot fail both to interest and instruct tn Sc who
may give them a careful pefusal.
1t is now well known, thar, as well in tie manage
ment as in tic ultimate dsposiiion Of The Public
Lands ihe,e is radical difference Of opinion be-
tween tie Administration party and The Wings.
One rottion Of the iilenGs OF the Admins
iralion a,e in favor of policy, which, a!-
though bringing large into the public irea-
suiy, nevertheless through the agency Of pre-
emp'ion and graduation laws, operates as a pre-
MUM upon fraud, swndlin2 and law breaking, and
while II dcmi,cs he public Of The just proceeds of
ibeir publ, Domain, del recates the value Of lands
in the old States. by enabling squatteis, who
certain ofbeooming rrc-empioners TO seize upon
The choice spots Of the West worth from $40 TO
800 per acre, by rayipg le minimum Price e SlI
per acre, aud then throwing them into compe-
ton with the mos, fertile portions of the old States.
This ve,. state Of thingss now draining Kentucky
of many of her most valuable citizens, who sell out
ihe in proved farms in order TO invest the money in
twenty times The number Of acres of government
land, Of equal quality with thai which they have
sold Thus are the people Of the old States doubly
njured-bein2 in The frs, place robbed of their e.
quirable interest in the public don ain, which, in the
next place, b. being practically thrown open to the
intruder, Tough the laws 70, bid lis entrance upon
il until the lands have been fairly brought into
ket operates dain upon then best population and
tie consequent reduction of the value Of their own
soil. Another portion Of Tie Administration parry
20 father still; aud canym 6 their ideas of State
sovereignty rather be, ond " hat Mr.. Calhoun HIM
sell has ever done since lie read NadiSons '9S Re
Torf in The gar cfoW Lord 1929, contend that the
general government has glt to bea great land
holder within The ter oral limits Of several States
and thai tie ruLc Lar DIS should Of consequence be
Promptly oed,d TO the States in which they several
y lie Tins is Mr.. Cuhoun's &" notion" though
pton just ,cft II, lie is in favor also of le-
quiIing ia, States 10 which the lands ma, be thus
oeded TO lay INTO tie public ,feasur,a certain per
crn,age OF tie rct procet DIS Arising from ihsr sale
Let either Of these systems pi,yal, however. and
the /" o Ihnietn," WHO ~l,st,d this almost I'M
limited territory IRON TIE crown Of BlIain, or who
by their taxes, have since purchased and paid for it,
will be def auded of eir interest in great rational
inheritance, which, judicIously managed, would con
stitute almost exhauscss fund for necessary State
and National expenditures.
nagonist 10 these propositions is the scheme Of
Mr.. Clay, for equal distribution of the nett pro-
cecds of the sales oil the Public Lands among all
the States, in he ratio Of lhef federal reputation
scheme TO which, ii seems 10 US, there cannot be
any sound or plausible objection when rightly con
sldcred. 1t is alleged. indeed, that the general
government has might 10 raise money FOR purposes
redistribution, and to tins remark we give most
hearty assent But M. Clay proposes to do no such
thing. He does mol propose TO raise money TOR The
purpose of distributing it, but simply to divide that,
which, necessarily derived from this source,
either be divided, Else be prodigally sqnander
cd in exrravirance and corruption, or, as Senator
Benton proposed, expended in the erection Of
land fontier il is also said, that, by depriyng the
treasury fthese funds, an increase Of The tariff Of
oil duties vii soon become necessary. That mi eht
be the case, il the expenses of the government
should continue TO increase they have dope for
The last twelve years, but otherwise Our belief
is, thai, by deprvng the federal government of this
source Of revenue, VIC shall compel it, not TO in
crease the taxes, buf TO reduce its expenditures, TO
abolish useless officers down exolbitant sala
rics to ensure more rigid Accountability OH the
part Of receivers and collectors and TO abrdge the
number Of defaullers, and lessen the magnitude of
their defaications.
The kennebec (Mane) Journal, in brief para
graph presents an epitome OF the whole These
public lands, lit says) belongs to all the States.
They acquired by the blood md the treasure OF
The whole people Of the Union, and belong much
10 Maine as TO Illinois. The people Of The Wes,-
ern States, however, claim them as their own. Ben
ton aud other demagogues have encouraged them
TO make the demand and is a leading question
in heii politics. 70 get the votes of the West for
himself Mr.. Van Buren, proposes give up the
lands. and us rob the old States Of their property.
viii the people Of the East see such a prof gate
game played, and offer no resistance :! The case is
plain. The most stupid man cannot fail TO under
stand it. Are our State and individual funds so
fash, that afford to be thus shufflcd oul OF
our jusi share Of this great property Are two or