The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-06-03


the supporters Of that plan do press the argument Of
revenue whenever the rival plan il brought forward
They contend that the General Government being
unfit or less competent than the State Governments
to manage the public lands II ought 10 hasten to get
rid Of them either by reduction Of the price. by dona-
ton by pre- einptons, by cesslon 10 certain States,
or by all these methods together.
Now sir il is manifest that the public lands cannot
he all settled ia century centuries TO come. The
progress of their settlement is indicated by the growth
Of the population OF the nited States There have
not been ON an average five millions Of per
nun sold during the last half century. Larger guam
titles will be probably hereafter, although not inmed'-
atcly, annually sold Now when we recollect THAT we
have at least billion of 10 dispose Of some idea
may be entertained judging from the past, OF the pro-
babIe length Of time before the whole u sold Prior
TO their sale and settlement the unoccuped portion OF
the public domain must remain either IN the hands OF
the General Government in the hands OF the Stale
Governments or pass the hands Of speculatos In
the hands of the General Government ifthat Govern
menl shall perform its duty, We know that the public
lands will be distributed liberal, equal, and moder-
ate terms. The worst fate that bsial them would
be for them to be acquired by spectators The emf
grant and settler would always prefer purchasing from
Government, at fixed and known rates, rather than
from the speculator unknown rates fixed by hiscu
pdily or caprice But il they transferred from the
General Government, the best Of them will he engros-
sed by spectators That is the inevitable tendency of
reduction ofihe prices by graduation and Of cesson to
the States within which they lie
tain the public domain, and make distribution OF the
proceeds time Of peace among the several States,
upon equal and just principles, according to the rule OF
federal numbers and in time of war; TO resume the
proceeds for its vigorous prosecution We think that
the administration Of the public lands had better
main with the common Government, TO he regulated
by uniform principles, than confdej to the States To
be administered according to various and perhaps con-
hcting views. As TO that important part OF them
which was ceded by certain States to the United States
for the benefit Of all the States trust was
thereby created which has been nvountarly accept
ed by the United States, and which they are not at
liberty to decline transfer me history Of
public lands held in the United States demonstrates
that they have been wasted thrown away by most
Of the States that owned any, and that the General
Government has displayed more judgment and wisdom
in the administration of them than any OF the States
Whilst it il readily admitted that revenue should not
be regarded the sole exclusive object the pecuni
airy advantageswhich may be derived from this great
national property to both the States and the Uuion
ought not TO be altogether overlooked.
The measure which have had the honor propose
settles this great and agitatng question forever
founded upon partial and unequal basis aggrandl-
zng few ofthe States to the prejudice ofthe rest
stan Is on just broad and liberal foundation. u Is
applicable not only TO the States now IN be-
ing but to the Territories, as States shall hereafter
be formed out of them and TO all States as they
shall rise tier behind tier to the Pacific Ocean II 10
system operating upon space almost boundless ana
adapted to all future time II was noble spirit OF
harmony and union that prompted the Revolutionary
States originally to cede to the United States. How
admirably does this conform to that spirit and
tend to the perpetuity of our glorious Union! The
Imagination hardly conceive one fraught with
more harmony and union among the States. Tito the
other ties that bind together one people be SUI
peradded the powerful interests sprnging out OF just
administration Of our exhausess public domain, by
which, for long succession Of nges, in seasons OF
peace the States will enjoy the benefit Of the great and
growing which produces, and in periods OF
war that revenue will be applied to the prosecution OF
the war, shall be forever linked together with the
strength of adamantne chains. No section no State
would ever be mad enough to break of romthe Union,
and deprive itself Of the ncstimab'e advantages which
it secures. Although thirty forty more new States
should be admitted into this Union, this measure
would cement them all fast together. The honorable
Senator from Missouri me (Mr. LINN is very
anxious to have settlement formed at the mouth of
the Oregon, and he will probably be gratifed at no
very distant day Then will be Members of
Congress from the Pacific States scaling the Rocky
mountains passing through the country of the grizzly
bear descending the turbid Missouri entering the ia
Their of rivers, ascending the beautiful Ohio, and
Coming to this Capitol to take their seats in ills spacious
and magnificent halls, Proud Of the commission they
bear, and happy to find themselves here in council
with friends and brothers and countIymen, enjoying
the ncaculabe benefits of this great confederacy and
among them their annual dstribuve share Of the is
mote ,natons inheritance, would they, the
selves from such Riec ever desire to separate It EN-
fund which is to be dedicated to these great
tary purposes does not proceed from few thousand
acres ofland to be disposed Of but Of more than
ten hundred millions Of and age after age may
roll away State after State arise generation succeed
generation, and still the fund will remain only
exhausted but improved and increasing for the benefit
of our childrens children TO the remotest posterity
The measure is not one pregnant with jealousy dis
cord division, but it is far-reaching comprehen-
sve, healing Of compromise and composure,
having for its patriotic object the harmony, the stab
ity and the prosperity the States and Of the Union
BioGRAPHY AND PoETIcAL REMAINS OF THE LATE