Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1839-04-18

~. After the payment OF The ordinary
ehssges upon the revenue. II 10 we'll
hsown 'h-t The Wing party are Of opin-
ION, that. II the expenditures Of the Co
vernment be reduced TO the economical
standard. from which they have 90 widely
departed siree the period Of Gen. Jack
son . election. the duties on imports. &C
eru,ng under the Compron;se Act. will
DO July adequate. should no ex,raordina-
~ emergency occur. 10 defray ihsm.-
Ihey contend, therefore. that the nett
tpsoeeeds OF the ssles Of tho Public Lands.
which. IN that event. will constitute q
surplus. should be divided among the Sc
versl States. according TO some equitable
ratio OF distribution. The administrs,ion,
on the other hand. claim that this surplus
shall Do appropriated 10 the purposes Of
''d.fsnes." - they style il and they pre-.
sent, - On sn,ssonis: proposition 10 the
plan OF "disf1ibnfion," scheme submit
Ted by Senator Benton. proposing to line
The entire inland and maritime frontier
with forts and arsenals IL 10 impossible
TO esi'msse siih any thing like precision.
the immense expenditure which would
be Necessary TO carry into effect this m sg
niheent conception. This consideration
however. seems TO have constituted no
obstacle TO the 50, gesion Of the PROPOSE
ton. Its author. indeed. appeared TO be
much less solicitous 10 provide for the
defence OF the country. than to devise a
plan Of wasieful expenditure, by which
The large surplus then in the Treasury
might be absorbed. without returning one
dollar OF II TO the States. But thi. is no,
Inc only nor the most Objectionable fea.
,nre OF MIR. Benton's scheme which. i.
II shall ever receive the sanction OF the
people. will create the necessity for q
powerful Sfanding .Arny--a, ell times an
object OF Jealousy in tree country. and
which has been uniformly opposed bv the
Republican party throughout the Union
iiracing 10 sn immense annoSi drain upon
the treasury: adding irssluliy to lie a!
ready blosied and daily increasing pa
'ronsse Of the President, and jeopsrdiziny
the safety OF our ins:'tutions. Regarded
rs antagonist propositions, therefore, il
cannot be doubted tina, vast maiori,y of
the American people, and particularly Of
the people Of Virginia. will repudia;e a
plan which contemplstes and must lead
to results 60 repugnant 10 the pacific ge-
MUS OF the age. and so hostile to all their
cherished principles Of public policy: and
that they will, on the other hand. support
that system which looks to the dis,rlbu-
ton Of the nett proceeds Of the sales OF
the Public Lends among the several
States, TO whom they righ,fc!ly belong.
to be appropriated by them TO lie cultiva-
ton OF the arts OF peace-io the improve
ment oil their social condition, 10 the de
velopment Of their internal resources.
and TO the diffusion o. education and
knowlrge among the pc pie, which is the
only sure basis Of Republican institutions.
and the only certain guarantee Of their
preservation and purity. On this Issue, -
thus made up. and semi. officially tender
ed TO the people. the Wings are no, un.
willing TO rest the contest which is soon
to be decided. And il is a question OF
importance enough, disconnecte from
all others, 10 excite the d,spassiona,e re-
Election Of every citizen who places q
proper estimate upon the value Of an
economical government. and the far
and equitable disposition Of its revenues.
To the objection sometimes made, that
the distribution Of the sum arising from
the sales OF the public lands will CONVEX,
the States into stipendiaries ofthe Gene.
raj Government. i: is a conclusive reply.
that the States will not present the mselyes
to the Government in The attitude Of sup
liants asking for boon, bu, as the right
ful claimants OF fund which belongs TO
them. They will. therefore. be no more
shpendiariss than would be the Joint
partners OF concern, vbo may ssree 10
withdraw from the hands OF their com mon
agent any surplus funds remaining in his
possession beyond the amount necessary
to carry into effect the purposes Of his
agency. The General Government is the
trustee OF the States. .or the proper ad
manistra,ion Of this fund; and if the
States determine that its equal disiribu-
ton among themselves is Q more appro-
pirate disposition Of il than its expendi-
ture IN lining our sea coast and our IN
land frontier with frowning battle ents, -
TO give support to 9 hireling soldiery,
they will not permit any false delicacy to
prevent the assertion OF their right so 10
dispose Of it. The proposition of Mr..
Benton too, is liable 20 the farther objsc.
ton. that 10 looks ultimately, II ihA, in
deed be not iis primary object. 10 the
augmentation Of Executive patronage
and power; and il cannot fail 10 be appa.
rent TO all unPrejudiced minds. that his
Se'RIs 10 be the design Of all ire Leaoing
nueasurss cf The .HdninisfJsfion and Of ia
confidential supporters. Hence. their
hostility TO the policy Of distribution. :"
which strengthens the States ss it weak.
ems the Federal Government. by dimin-
ishing the sources Of patronage which q
lavish expenditure Of public money mus:
necessarily multiply. From this depart
meat Of the GCysrnmsni. in all ages and
IN all countries. have sggressions upon
popular rights been uniformly commence
ed; ADD unless the American people shall
eradicate. in ats 6rsi development, this
disease Of our system. they xill soon per.
ceive thA, II has become too fOTmidable To
be subdued, unless BY resort 10 physi.
cal force. The monster IL nov an ia Al.