Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1839-01-14
THE GOV ERNOG.s MESSAGE.


both in reference 10 Fedcsal AMI 10 State policy.
The Governors views in relai onto the Sub-rteas.
ur., though not novel; indeed II would be difficult
10 suggest any new objection Ia that measure, are
presented in strong and iorctls terms. We do not
ourselves propose, on this occasion 10 ie-argue n
question which has bern so often discussed We
csntent ourselves by expressing our unqualified as
sent to the truth ofthe Governors assumption, thai,
by lis adoption, "the expenses Of the government
would be increased. The public money rendered less
secure. and the patronage al the Executive greatly
augmented" In relaiipn Ia one ITEM Of this cats-
loene, indeed. we have already proof strong as ho
ly wnt. The immense delaicauous which have
been recently detected demonstrate in the most IN
equiyocal manner. that andrisi,.al custody must al
ways cndanser nay render certain the loss of the
likely to be selected for this purpose frequently pos
other qualification 10, the responsible station
than Jealous and loud .mouthcd dissemination Of
their political tenels, but even VI here this is not the
case, aud they may be commanded by their personal
integrity as well as tie, par,aan zeal, they will, in
many cases, fall victims 10 the temptation which the
possession ioi long periods Of large sums OF public
money, never fail to present. and which has 50 often
proved too powerful BIZ resisted even BY men whose
honesty, under different crcu instances had been So
stcfnly inilexblo as 10 pass into a proycib. Many
melancholy instances OF this Iao presented in the
history OF this Conmonw eallh alone and recent de
velopments show that he facilities and induce
mens, elsewhere existing will be followed by the
same results
The policy f'hc Federal Government touching
th, D,,ll I L
consideration of the State Legislature in the Exeeu-
tive Message and its vast Importance fully jusiGcs
the space devoted 10 its discussion. For many years
past, Nh Benton has been end cav ong with untillns
perseverance to force the passage OF q graduation
bill, and for long period IN The face of an over
whelm'ns majority opposed 10 this wholesale and
double robbery of the old Statcs,-donble in this
that ii first depves them their equitable interest in
the Public Domain, and then, by the barely nominal
prices at which they offered 10 purchasers. pre-
senting additional inducements, already numerous
and powerful enough to lhc more rapid migration Of
their population. But sincc dis scheme of bsrefa-
ccd plumber has become associated, and in some
measure identified with pohical parties the large
majority by which il has been heretofore defeated,
has gradually diminished, until it is now doubtful
will not soon be the settled policy of the govern
ment. but whether, III Ilc ausiely of the dominant
party 10 maintain their asccndancy, they will not even
go laIher, and consent 10 the impatient demand set
up by Arkansas, for the ccsson by the general gov
eminent of all the pub &c lands 10 the States within
whose limits they are situated. That this would be
robbery Of the old States, Is clear, from the very
terms Of the acts by which the general government
was made, by the Staescedng these lands, trustee,
for the just an equal distribution of the proceeds OF
their sales. In tho words Of the Virginia act,
and the same sentiment peryades those of other
States, these lands were 10 be regarded " com
fund for the benefit OF such Ofihc u. States as
have become, or shall become members of the Con
ederacy, Virginia inclusive. cordng to their usu-
al respective proportions in the general charge and
shall be faithfully and bona bele disposed OF for that
purpose, and for no other use purpose whatsoev.
er." This was the condition. and tho sole con.
dition, upon which Virginia and he older states n
creed 10 relnquish their lhen exclusive title to the
lands in queston-wi,ll this positive and express
condition, the general government consented 10 take
charge OF this great RATIONAL ipheritance-and with
this implied understanding also hnye the representa-
lives Of the old States in Congress consented to the
appropriation OF large sums from the public treasury
the fruits of their equal Contributions, for the extern
sve regions Of country, andforthe purchase of Flor
ida and Louisiana. What ii ht hen,--nay, what
power has Congress to deprive them Of their equal
interest in the proceeds Of their sales, either by
system of graduated prices by prc-emption laws, or
by total cession of these lands the several States
within whose limits they lac The general govern
ment itself but trustee, and is bound by the
Of the deed which gives il all the authority which
possesses the subject This sing fact is suf
fceat, Far that govern is concerned TO de-
ter it from participating many ACT, which, in addition
to its intrinsic in ustice, involves unquesonable
usuipaton Of powor-l,e usurpation of the right To
make disposition ofthis property, not warranted by,
but contrary to- the instrument, by which alone ii
came invested with any thorly TO egisate upon
the subject at all Surely, then, il is time for the
Legislature ofVirgina to protest against policy so
detrimental alike to her interests--a policy which is
even more corrupting IN istendcnc les than it is IN
just in itself Although tho injustice Of the act
would be more fragrant ia lis character, we had ra-
ther see the whole Of the Public Lands coded to the
States in which they lie, at once, than that they
bes to operate upon; stock in trade for demagogues
and g bidders at the auction of popularity to ex-
change for Western votes. Mn, Cay's Land Bill,
which passed both Houses OF Congress some years a.
go, and which was vetoed by President Jackson, is
the only system ever yet devised, by which the just
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