Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1841-03-06

depoSite banks would have he'd no excess. The
daily drafts Of the Treasurer would have en-
poved all our funds, and the banks could moi have
enlarged their discounts beyond the ordinary
wants Of commerce. That rash spirit IF individ-
. ual adventure, which, combined IN masses, con
troled and directed the legislative councils Of the
country to the same ends, would not have been
aroused. The moneys received by the States
from the auds were directed by the bill to s2e-
cIfc objects. These were to purposes Of internal
Improvement or the payment Of debts contracted
therefore of education, and Of the colonization al
free blacks. Thus stimulated by exciting in
fuences, and thus prudently checked, what Eaon-
uments would not the States already have BUILT
in aid of commerce, what proudef monuments in
aid Of science and Of intellect, unburdcned with
debt, and endowed with means and capabilities for
progressive achievements IN these great objects
of patriotism and benevo!ence through an untold
series Of years.
By port from the Secretary Of the Treasu-
r.. made IN 1888, it appears that # the land bill
of 1882 had passed, the States would have re-
ceiyed, up to the 30th of September of that yeur
the SUM Of 1927, 80. OF this the share of
Ohio would have been Sf,55L932; of Indiana,
S2,64674i; ofiIlinois, Sl,791 Dol; of Alabama,
= ,965, 93l; and Of New YORK, S., 100, lO2.-
These would have been the sums of money re-
ceved by those States, in addition to the two per
cent. fund accruiug TO the new States, and 10 the
expenses incident to the sales OF the land. In
addition to this, Indiana would have received To-,
900 acres of land TO make her equal with former
grants TO Ohio, and the other new States their
proper proportions to reach the Same equality
II the author Of the land bill Of 1892 deserves
what posterltv will award him-perpetual re-
membrance from his cOHntry--what must we
say OF those administrators OF our affairs who
have entaiIed upon us that counter-pocy to which
we have advcrted and the fruits of which are
now like waters Of bitterness IN our mouths!
But gentlemen say that this distribution is an
and n viola Of bo fpo1s oF
cession from the original States.
In opposition 10 this Wow, | shall not dean
the Senate to rccap!,ulate at any length argu-
ment which has been ably maintained, and is
SO familiar TO the country. As 10 that portion of
our territory. ceded by the old States, cannot be
denied that Congress holds ii in trust for all the
States, old and new, and not 'or the pcOD!e Of the
States In this aspect The proceeds OF the land
different from ordinary revenues which are
collected from the people, ard for their benefit,
and not for the use Of The States. The States
then partners in this great lard fund, and Con
gress the trustee. There is no principle in lew
ethics which prevents a trustee from surrendering
at pleasure n trust; and into whose hands can he
mae The he SgnFendsr but hf sc q the cea gae
this argument ends: and concluding that, accoT-
ding to the terms of the deeds of cession,
this be n trust for the of the States IL must
of necessity be IN their several and corporate
pacity. The contrary idea cannot be found in
"
TO the Federal Government all the powers con
tanned in ConstitutIfn-the most Of these
powers IN their exercise o,erate upon the people
of the United States. and the duties Of the Gov
ernment eaure to their b.nefit but here is an
exception in the very TENS of the charter. !
cannot, under our Constitution, conceive the idea
which has been expressed ~ the learned Senator
from South Carolina, Mr.. Calhoun Of States in
their aggregate capacity; ,an in their Fedora
capacity; and if in this capacity they were in
tended 70 hold their interes, in the lands, the
deeds would have expressed the tenure to be for
the benefit of the United States and not for the
use and benefit of such of the United States as
have become, and shall become members of the
Confederation or Federal alliance of the said
States, Virginia inclusive, according to their
al respective proporlons,' &c.
Then came the Constitution providing that s'the
Congress shall have power to dispose Of and make
all necdiul rules and regulations respecting the
territory other property belonging TO the Uni
ted States" operating without qualification
condition upon territory subsequently acquired;
and upon the lands previously acquired, subject
to the trusts con tanned in deeds of cesson. No
proprietor can be vested with more absolute
mastery over his estate; and the only limit
to the powers OF the National Legislature IN this
respect, is that conscientious obligation which
binds it, in the performance Of Ill its duties, to
consult the welfare OF The people and the States.
The powers have been exercised by Congress
which the Constitution has no. deega ed in terms.
For example; Congress have made investments
in State stocks--thov have Iemit.ed duties to
railroad companies and o.he' associations TO
supply which other classes must be tdxed-they
have given five per cent. of tn. lands the
States, and grants of land-tey have granted
pensions and bounties to indiviiuals-thev have
purchased territory beyond the limits of the trea
tv of 1888 and formed out Of il confederate
States; and they have made scientific explora
iions. Not one Of these but is of moro equiyoca
authority than the cesson of the proceeds of the
lands to all the States
The Senator from Missouri Mr.. Bentonl is in
dignant at proposition which ne says Is TO With
piled by additional duties upon imports. If II be
such outrage 10 divert this four millions, Che
annual proceeds ofthe lands from our exchequer
into the treasures of the several States. how