Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1841-02-13
SPEECH OF MIR. SMITH, OF INDIANA;
On the Land Question.
Delivered in the Senate of the United States,
January 18th and 10Th, 1871.

word upon II; but since the proposition OF the
Senator from Kentucky, and the amendment 10
that proposition submitted by the Senator from
South Carolina, have fairly brought before the
Senate for discussion the whole SUBJECT OF the
public lands have come to the conclusion that
II might be expected Of me To take some part IN
the debate; and, sir permit me 10 say, that en-
ter upon this discussion with the more pleasure,
because | have not the least idea that The ques-
lion W Ill be settled at this session, now halt ex-
pred and because feel not only willing, but
ANXIOUS that my sentiments should be fully known
bY the people of my State before the next ses-
sion Of Congress-; during which, hope to see
the whole subject amicabIy and finally arranged.
For, sir, If | know myself, desire to represent
on Ibis occasion, aud upon all sub jecis, both the
interest aud wishes of my State; aud to those
wishes, and that interest; viii nj all times, on al
questions Of oxpediency, conform my own ac-
ton here as her Representatives, with great pleas
ure. have said that consider the bill and the
proposed amendments Us bringing the whole sub
Icct before the Senate; for, sir, cannut agree
with the Senator from Missouri, that they
congruous; | consider them entirely german,
and egttmately connected both for argument
and legislation. The whole sub icct may well be
arranged in d single biil and the basis of
such bill mus; include the principles Of one or
both OF the proposed amendments, II 10 entirely
proper that they should be discussed with the y
1igInal proposition.
Previous 10 the views which intend 10 sub
upon thus subject, the Senate will pardon me
if notice the closing remarks Of the Senator
from Arkansas, (NIr Sevicr,) who has just taken
his seat. That Senator, taking, as he generally
does, a clear, common view Of the relation
between cause aud effect, aud has jas, told
that the IN coming party must DO somefhing to
meet tho expectations on The people; that IT must
bring up aud support new measures; that II must
not sit down IN the sents of the outgoing party
aud fold It's arms; lhat tho people have been led
hoit me. ti he adj ptGT
that the doctrines Of the ut-guing party were to
depart with them n their Tct!rtueni; that The
measures under which The Gov cInmcnt has been
administered hostile 10 The Interests Of The
people; and, says the Senator, If there shall be
change, the days Of the coming pr li'rieon
party are numbcrcd il will 90 oul at the end Of
four wears by larger ma prIty than II came IN.
Sir, entirely concur with the Senator in his pn
sluon, and thank him for the honesty and candor
of the admission he has made; ha has honestly
and conciusIsey solved the mystery which sur
round the recent result OF the political campaign
the minds of some Senator'S, ard especially In .
that of the honorable Senator from Missouri, 81.
Beuton0 who declared, a few DAYS ago, that the
result was II mystery which he could not undcG
stand. The Senator from Arkansas perfectly un-
derstands 1t; aud concur wish hun, that If the
IN coming party pnrsues The same hHe of general
policy that vas tie ruling policy of Mr.. Van BI-
rem, its days Will he numbered; lis days ought Ia
be numbered. The people have condemned that
policy; they have wtI'ed that those who support
shall no longer i'll the highest Office within
their gift; they have wcd that Il different policy /
shall no longer prevail; they have selected their
agents for the purpose Of carrying out different
pDlicy; those agents stand pledged 10 do so and
would be direct violation If taih to the peo-
pie to refuse 10 conform to their ILL II would be
such breach Of faith us ought to number the
DAYS of those who should presume upon such
dangerous experiment. | trust, however, that
there Is cause for alarm from quarter on
this subject. | merely noticed the remark ct the
Senator. 10 say that heartily with hun;
and, far as | am concerned, the charge shall
have application.
Another remark of the Senator | must briefly
notice. IN which fortunate rs to con-
cur. | understood the Senator TO say. that the
Senators from the old States had uniformly voted
down every proposition from the States in
which ;hey fef any interest. (IIere Mr.. Sewer
rose and said he made several exceptions. 81
understood the Senator; but Go not feel q g
posed to let the remark pass, even with the ex-
as | do not think it does Justice TO the
Senat tors from the old States, as they called
How many Senators compose this body, SIM
The answer Is. hty-two. OF that number, only
eighteen are from the new States so called. -
Well, sir, does not the Senator consider both the
presumption and graduation bills Western meas
uresl And how could the States. with their
eighteen members. passed any bill. either of
these subjects, without the votes of Senators
from the old Statesl And still these bills have o.
gam and again passed the Senate. with the votes
of Senators from the old and States; and. sir
cannot let tho occasion pass withou, doing to
Senators from the old States justice, so far rs nv
State is concerned. | have frequently, since
have been a member of this body, felt the kind
aid and supper, of many of the Senators from the
Did States on subjects of vital Importance, and
ieeply interesting to nay State, when mos, set
lied opposition had come from Senators from the
Southwestern States, designated as new States; it
affords me great pleasure 10 except from this le
mark the Senator from Arkansas. So SIR as one
# the representatives of one of the new States
claim no participation IN the application of the
remarks of tina, Senator "A
The Senator from Arkansas also utimated that
me new States would soon be strong enough t.
make Their own laws this subject without the ,
a !, OF the other States of the Union. This he
,ninks may take place bv the wear eighteen fiftv