The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-01-28
DEBATE IN THE SENATE
ON THE PUBLIC LANDS.

REMARKS OF MIR. CRITTENDEN, Of Ky.
permanent prospective presumption bill. In Senate,
January ~, lS4l:
Mr.. CRITTENDEN rose and observed that he
had hardly felt surprised than in listening
to the amendment proposed by the Senator from South
Carolina. In offering the amendment which he him
self had proposed his simple and unobruslve purpose
had been merely to put record the views he enter
tanned, and what he was willing to do on this subject
of pre- empon. He had been DESTROYS that his views
should not be misunderstood perverted, and Ae had
drawn up and offered his amendment for the purpose
of showing that he willing to 90 for pre-emp-
ton If il combined with just distribution among
the States Of the proceeds OF the sales of the public
lands For these two measures, il united, he was will
ling to vote He had been DESTROYS Of putting this on
record and that his whole purpose in offering his
amendment For the audacity of making such pro-
posal, said Mr. c., mo- not I--but my proposition
itself has been denounced in all the variety of ephet
which the eloquence of the honorable Senator could
supply. 1t has been pronounced to be idle, unjust,
or foolish This was the sententious condemnation
passed upon il by the Senator from South Carolina
lMr Calhoun) The Senator from Missouri Mr..
BgNToN) had directed against il storm of epithets
vet more ponderous According TO the thunder Of
that gcntlemans eocuton, the proposition was "enor
mous p auonsfrous! So monsirous and so enor-
nous was il that shrank from all attempt at defend
ing IT, and the honorable Senator did not wonderl
Now these argumentative epithets Of the Senator will
rather imagine make novery great impression on the
understanding of the country the Senate. IL is
not by eptheis that either of those gentlemen high
as they NAV believe themselves etand put down
measures in this body. Great may be their power
of animadversion, it is not that power that the
fate of this measure is TO depend. The gentlemen
may suppose shrink from the very thought of defend
ing my amendment because do not choose to occupy
an hour or two in debate-on what On measure
now before the Senate Not at all The bill before
is to grant prospective presumption the public
lands. Did the honorable Senator expect was about
to take up the time of this body in unfolding the ad
vantages and Disadvantages of of this knd2
To him. at least, all such discussion must he in an
eminent degree, fiat, stale and Improbable Pre-emp-
ton and graduation have been abundanty argued,
both and heretofore; there remains but more
proposition to be he considered, which is distribution.
Is that to he debated Does The gentleman sup
pose that going to debate that question with the
vain hope of carrying it now Surely not and yet,
because have abstained from this, am accused OF
shrinking from the defence of my amendment. l
thought that IL would be abusing the patience of the
Senate If should attempt such thing. And though,
from the manner of the honorable Senator from MIS-
souri,, my frankness have surprised the Senate,
he has multiplied repetition Of his thanks for my
proposal of measure perfectly stale from repetition
The propositions have been repeated for years What
is here about them monsirous 7" Is 1t pre- emp
ton Is that atrocious Is it distribution Is
that idle unjust or foolish 2" Ii il be- let Congress
take the burden Of these denuncations themselves
Prescription laws have passed again and again
and bill for distribution passed both the Senate and
House Of Representatives by triumphant majorities
and would have been the law of the land long ago but
for most extraordinary and unparalleled instance Of
Executive interposition. Was this the measure that
so "monstrous," enormous" so Outrageous,
to deter any gentleman from even attempt at il
defence
| But the honorable gentleman from Missouri seems
to consider this proposition monstrous and so out
] rageous, as measure over cunning, that will nov