Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1840-06-06
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF
MISSOURI.

in the Congress Of the United States, il is pro-
per that should inform you by what principles
! would be governed, ii elected. Having no.
thing 10 conceal upon the subject Of politics,
will state, briefly, and as intelligibly as | can,
the opinions entertain upon all the subjects
which arc likely to occupy the attention OF the
body Of which seek to be member lnten.
ding only to canvass, in person, small portion
Of the State, there is no other means left me Of
making my opinions known, but through The mo
dium ola circular, and Of the press. This course
| believe, will be quito as satisfactory 10 the
people as that Of public speaking; at all events
tho opinions Of candidate are better under
stood, and he will be more likely to "too the
mark" when there are so many records Of his
opinions in the hands of the people. 1t may be
asked Why !, a man unknown to fame, having
never 6llcd public office in my life, not even
a candidate for any Office before, should become
candidate for station so exalted, as that Of
Representative in the Congress of the United
States. That ambition, which animatcs the
breast of every individual TO have his name con.
ncced with the history of his country, is one
reason; being also Of opinion that, in the con-
fusion and blind zeal Of party the best and dear
est interests Of the State Of Missouri have been
overlooked; and that the Union at large has STAR
ed the same fate, feel deep solicitude to see
the principles which deem essen a to the
safety and prosperity of Missouri, and Of the
Union, carried out by Congress. This opinion,
added TO the circumstance that no other indiyld-
ual, entertaining the SAM sentiments with my.
sell, has become candidate, is the other reason.
The exposed condition Of our immense frontier,
and the little which has been done 10 afford pro
lection to our citizens against dangerous enemies
which surround US, will bear me out in saying
that one measure, al least of the highest concern,
has been neglected. The uncertainty which
exists every two years with regard TO the exen.
sion Of the pre- empton law, also affords ground
for enquiry why that law has not been made a
permanent one. Residing in the section of the
State sensitiveIy alive to the Importance OF the
presumption system, and 0! having the most
adequate protection to the frontiers, my Iabors,
if elected, will be conS;ant, and unceasng in
their favor With most Of the country on the
No side oftho Missouri River and the River
counties on the South, AN well acqulinlcd; it
is only the vast and fertile region in the South ant
Sogth Western counties Of which am, personal
ly, uninforineI. 1t should, however, feel it my
duty, if elected to make myself acquainted with
every portion of the State, in order to act under
standlngIy in respect to your local affairs.
elected to Congress, | will be uorLing anc
not speaking member. have always BELIEVED
that new member (and it will apply 10 old one,
t o. can best advance the int ests of his con
stituents by pursuing mild, conciIiatory, and
generally, silent course. The lack of ev
perience in public speaking would compel me
to this co ,rSe, even il other reasons did not urge
it. Adnst tho angry debates which, Of late
years, have been so prevalent in Congress the
real aud necessary wants Of the country have
been overlooked, and the public expenditure,
enormously increased Besides this, the public
lnoras have suffered; and scenes, better fitted
to brolheIs, than TO high deberatiye body
have, on various occasions, taken place.
In the opinions which the people may form o.
my political principles, ask to be Judged by the
record, and not by the false rule Of noisy
partizans. profess to be republican. | hoIc
that all political power is vested in the people,
that Representative is nothing more than thciI
agent and is bound, in all cases, to represent
the will Of the majority, or to resign the trust
which the people have conferred upon him. The
right Of instruction, and the consequent duty OF
the instructed to obey or resign, is amongst the
greatest safeguards Of our liberties.
Fist in the order Of sublec upon which yol
will wish to know my opinions, is the gradWG
Tim of the price of The public lands.
This subject is one Of deep interest to Mis-
souri,, and will go as far as h. who goes (mlhcst
in its favor. It seems to me that the govern
ment, by holding good, bad and even wor HES
lands at the same price, is not only acting con
trary t. its own interests, but contrary to reason
and justice. Whilst hundreds and thousand
facres Of land can be bought in Virginia, Ken
lucky, Tennessee, and other States, at l2i cent
per acre, Government lands not more valuable
are held up at 81 25. The same principl
which governs the people in the disposition O
their property, should govern in the price of tn
public lands. The frs quality should brn
one price; the second another aud so on. Tn
refuse should be abandoned to the State in whcI
they lie. hope that a measure SO just to tn
Government, and 50 beneficial to the new State
will have become law before the present session
Of Congress terminates.
Presumption ldlvs. will advocate the system
OF gtantng pre-. exemptions on the public lands il
the broadest manner. My opinions in favo
ofthe system were iormc when | came to thu
State in 1927, then % years Of age; and instca,
Of seeing reasons TO change them, the benefit
which have seen and known to have grown
out OF il, has confirmed me still stronger in it
favor. AN in favor Of a permanent pre- emp
ton law, which will secure to all who are nov
settled or may hereafter settle on any Of the pub
lie lands, quarter section ut government price
see no good reason for making new law ever,
two years; if the system is right it should be par
mancnt and clearei OF the doubt and uncertainty
which makes it necessary for plain men 10 consul
Lawyer in order to understand, whether or no
they are embraced within its provisions.