Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-07-03

ever faithfully adhered we were instructed to be
watchfu and jealous of Executive power, en- Joined
to practice economy in the public disbursements,
and urged to rally aroundthe People and not attach
ourselves to the Presidential car. This was Jeifer-
sons democracy. But the modern democrats who
have assumed the name have reversed all these
wholesome maxiins, aud have given to democracy
totally different version. They have run it down,
they have run down, or at least endangered Stale
rights, the right of admirable in their
proper sphere-and all other rights, by perverSion
and extravaganza. But thank God, true democracy
and true democrats have not been run down. Thous-
ands of those who have been deceived and deuded
by false colors will now eagerly return to their an
cicn faith and unite, under Harrsons banner, with
their cid and genuine friends and principles, as
they were held at the epoch of 179S. We shall,
trust, be all more united fratornal band.
ready to defend liberty agains; all dangers that may
threaten it at home, and the country against all
that shall menace it from abroad
But to return from this depression to the patriotic
apprehension entertained by Senators of corruption,
| if the proceeds Of the public lands should be dis.
trbuted among the States. IT, in the hands of the
General Government, the land fund does not lead
to corruption, why should it in the hands of the
State Governments! Is there less danger from the
fund if it remain undivided and concentrated, than
if it be distributed =! Are the State Governments
more prone to corruption than the Federal Govern
ment i! Are they more wasteful and extravagunt
| in the expenditure of the money of the People! |
think that if we to consult purity and economy,
we shall find fresh motives for distribution.
! Mr.. President, two plans of dsposing of the
vast public domain belonging to the United States
have been, from time 10 time, submitted to the
consideration of Congress and the Public. Accord
ing to one Of them, it should not have been regard
ed as a of revenue, either to the General or
to the State Government. That have, | think
clearly demonstrated, although the supporters of
| that plan do press the argument of revenue when
ever the rival plan is brought forward. They con-
tend that the General Government, being unfit, or
less competent than the State Governments, to
manage the public lands, it ought to hasten TO get
rid of them, either by reduction of the price, by
donation by prescriptions, orby cessions to certain
States, orby all these methods together.
Now sir, it is manifest that the public lands can.
not be all settled in a century centuries to come
The progress Of their settlement is indicated by
the growth Of the population of the United States.
4 There have not been average, five millions
of acres per nnnum sold, during the last half GEN.
tury Larger quantities will be probably hereaf-
ter, although not Immediately, annually sold. Now,
when we recOect that we have at least a billion
of acres to dispose OF, some idea may be enter
tanned, judging from the past, of the probable
length of time before the whole is sold. Prior to
their sale and settlement, the unoccupied portion
/ of the public domain must remain either in the
| hands lf the General Government or in the hands
OF the State Governments, or pass into the hands Of
speculators In the hands Of the General Govern
ment. if that Government shall perform its duty,
we know that the public lands will be distributed
on liberal, equal, and moderate terms. The
worst fate that can befal them would be for them
to be acquired by SPECTATORS Inc emigrant ana
settler would always prefer purchasing from Gov
eminent, at fixed and known rates, rather than
from the speculatur vt unknown rates fixed by his
cupdty or caprice. But if they are transferred
from the General Government, the best of them
will be engrossed by spectators. That is the in
evitabe tendency OF reduction OF the price by
graduation, and of cession to the States within
which they lie.
The rival plan is for the General Government to
retain the public domain. and make distribution Of
the proceeds in 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 prose-
cuton. We think that the adm 'tration OF the
public lands had better remain with The common
Government, to be regulated by uniform principles,
than conded to the States, to be administered &C.
cording to various, and, perhaps, conflicting views
As to that important part of them -wricb was
ceded by certain States to the United States for
the common benefit of all the States, trust was
thereby created which has been voluntarily c.
cepted by the United States, and which they are
not at liberty now to decline or transfer. The his
tory of public lands held in the United States de-
monstrates that they have been wasted or 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 is readily
admitted that revenue should not be regarded as
the sole or exclusive object, the pecunary advan
p tages which may be derived from this great
tional property to both the States and the Union
1 ought not to be altogether overlooked.
The measure which l have had the honor to pro-
pose settles this great and agtating question for
Z ever. 1t is founded upon no partial and unequal
! basis aggrandizing few of the States to the pre-
+ iudce Of the rest. 1t stands just, broad, and
liberal foundation. 1t is q measure applicable not
n only to the States in being, but to the Terri
tories as States shall hereafter be formed out of
I them, aud to all States they shall rise tier
behind tier to the Pacific Ocean. 1t is a system
operating upon space all most boundless, and
f adapted to all future time. 1t noble spirit of
n harmony and uion that prompted the Revolutiona-
ry States originally to cede to the United States.
r How admirably does this measure conform to that
spirit and tend to the perpetuIty of our glorious
e Union The imag inatiOn can hardly conceive one
fraught with more harmony and union among the
States. If the other ties that bind together
as one people be superadded the powerful interest
l. springng out of Just administration Of our ex-
o haustless public domain, by which, for long sue
cession of ages, in seasons of peace, the States
+ will enjoy the benefit Of the great and growing
J, revenue wuich it produces, and in periods Of war
n that revenue will be applied to the prosecution of
: the war, we shall be forever linked together with
i the strength Of adamantine chains. No section,
G no State, would ever be mad enough to break of
J. from the Union, and deprive itself Of the inestl
j. mabe advantages which it secures. Although
thirty or forty more new States should be admitted