Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-02-13

IN SlAt tiN II country III tlDIN.
The monuments Of 'ie fine arts which thcy
eft to delight End instruct the world, have
Tlthstood lie ravages of 5000 years.
They have not left their glory alone in their
temples, or on the plains Of Marathon, or
at the pass of Thermopyp, but it still burns
bright in tho schools and senate halls Of
the world.
[ Coac'Hstoa ia or ncrtl
LAND DEBATE IN THE SENATE.
The Debate in the Senate upon the sub
ject of the public lands, AID mainly upon
the question of distribution of the pro-
cceds Of sales Of those lands among the
several States for whom the United States
hold them as trustee, continues, from day to
day, not only with undated but with in
creased and increasing interest. We shall
publish the whole Of it as rapidly as our
Reporters can write it out. Meanwhile
the reader will not be displeased at our an
ticipatng now and then our regular report
Of The debate, and noticing It's progress
geographically.
On Saturday last, the crowded galleries
Of the Senate attcstod the state of public
expectation, excited by the knowledge, de-
rived from the morning papers that Mr..
Calhoun, the father Of the projects for DIS
posing Of the public lands, was TO address
the Senate On the general subject, and the
probability that he would be replied TO by
some Senator on the other side who would
have no objection to meet such champion
in the field of debate. That the speech Of
Nr. Calhoun was an able one, cannot be
doubted by those who have heard him on
other occasions. \" man, probably, could
have made 4 better speech on the wrong
side Of the question. On the wrong side
OF the question, we say; for, Of all the pro-
jects Of which we have seen Air. Calhoun
either author O. the adrocate during nearly
thirty years, none has appeared to us more
indetcnsb!o than his scheme for surrender
ing the public lands to the States within
whose geographical boundaries they hap
pen to lie. The type OF such policy is to
be found in Lsop5 fable of the boy, who
killed the goose that laid the golden eggs
These lands yield to the General Govern
ment but few millions Of dollars year,
and at this rate it will be half century be-
fore this source of revenue will be cxhaus-
ted: let us, therefore, at once cut of this
source Of revenue altogether. This, if we
underestimate, is the pith IF the argument in
favor of the measure.
Mr.. Webster followed Mr.. Calhoun in
the Debate, with an ability which even he
has rarely ever before exhibited, and with
such a power, both of sentiment and elo-
quence, as found its way to all hearts not
stcclcd by obdurate prejudice against truth
or against the man who then and there de-
livored it. With evident difficulty ii was
that both floor and galleries restricted them
selves to moderate expressions of gratifed
feeling.
Considering, however, the position which
Mr.. Webster occupies, as a designated
member Of the Cabinet under the Admin !
Of Harrison, it is Of more impor-
lance TO our readers 10 know what ground |
he took upon the questions brought under
debate, than whether he acquitted himself
well or i'll. We proceed, therefore, as
briefly as possible TO state the principal
points he made; which we do rather be-
cause unusual pains have been taken by
the organ Of the Administration, in this
city, to cast doubt and suspicion upon his
probable course on the important questions
now before the Senate.
In tho first place, then, Nj. w. main
tanned the power Of Congress over the
subject, by that express provision Of lie
which declared that Congress
should have power to dispose of the terri |
tory belonging to the United States; and
ibis general authority. he said, was not linz
lied by any ether provision. Congress, too
had u general power TO collect revenue by
taxes; and both these powers were 10 lie |
exercised in a sound discretion.
10 guide and direct this discretion, he !
argued, Congress might look, first, to the
object Of the original grants Of these lands
for the use Of the States, and the equity |
thcrciron arising: second. to the powers |
Of the General Government, and especial |
y to the important fact that the States had !
parted with the ~hoic Of thcir original pow
or Of collecting revenue for their own pur-
poses by duties on goods imported; and. |
third, 10 the actual condition Of many of
he States in regard to debts. These were
The leading topics.
But in speaking Of the debts Of the
States, he took occasion u notice how
much had been done and said both 20 iniure
heir credit and 10 weaken their sense of
,blia lion, and to speak Of thc disgrace
brought on he country by TIE tenor Of d.
.or5 publ.ca,;oi.se. IN quarters favorable to
he present Administration, in these res
'ec>s. lie spoke, too, o. lie miserable /
Propoaated by the G.Ac,a. Or
gan Of die Administration on all Ct tho
'erp'o Of the United States, impu.:ng to
lom the acting under foreign influence and