, 1841-02-13

ASeio'' Va III PuoitS iotiNSs
over the new States, and through them, over
the whole Union, and the pernicious inlu.
ence thereby brought to bear on all other
subjects OF legislation. can It be denied that
many and great evils result from the system
asst now operates, which call aloud for some
speedy and efficient remedy?
But why should look beyond the ques-
ton before us TO prove, by the comics sion of
all. that there is some deep disorder in the
system! There are now three measures be-
f"re the Senate each proposing important
changes, and The one. or the other. receiving
the support OF every member of the body;
even OF those who cry out against changes.
IL Is too late. then, to DENY the disordercd
state al tn" system. Tie disease is admit
ted land the only question *. what remedy
III II u" applied.
object bath l." II" bill. aud tn. amend
nnu' pr"!.r>eity the Senator from ken'uckv
Mr. CmrrEN IN t~necause. regarded as
te"rdi'l measures. they are both Inaprro-
.rIrre and Inadequate. Neither pre-emp-
ton. nor distribution of the evenue, re ceiv-
ed from the public lands, can nave any pos,
81 'le eilrci in correcting the dISurdered ac-
ton of the system. | put the que ,tior,
would one or the other contribute in the
smallest degree TO diminish the patronage OF
the Government, or the time consumed on
questions growing out Of the public lands. or
shorten the duration of the sessions, OF with
draw the action of the Government over so
large a part of the domain of the new States,
and place them and their representatives,
here. on the same independent footing with
the ,,lt SflfaS and thar antpSpnfpftvn mr.
arrest the angry and aritlIIng discussions
winch year after year distract our cnuu-
cIlS and threaten So much mischief To the
country! Far otherwise would be the ef-
feet. Ii would but increase the evil, by
bringing into more decided conflict, the in
tereSt OF the new and old States. OF all the
ills that could befall them. the former would
regard the distribution as the greatest. while
the lliier would look on the p~re-empiInn
system. proposed by the bill. rs IIrrle short
of an open system al plumber. II we may
ludue from the declarations which we have
he rrd in the course nf The debate.
A. then. neither can correct the disease.
The q~ne>:I"n y. what remedy can! ] have
given i" this question the most deliberate and
careful rx rmiuatinn. and nave come L. the
r"ncIu>i"n that there is. and can he. no rene
DIV short of ce>si"n-cessI"n To the States
Respectively within which the lands are SIlua-
ted. The disease lies IN ownership and nd
mini.tra,inn; and nothing short Of parting
with both can reach IT. Part with them, and
YOU will at once take away one-thIrd Of the
business of Congress; shorten Ms sessions IN
the same proportion. with a corresponding
saving Of expense; lop otfa large and most
dangerous portion OF The patronage OF the
Government; arrest these angry and agitat-
inn discussions. which do so much 10 alien
ate the good feelings of the different portions
"f The Union. and disturb the general course
Of legislation. and endanger ultimately the
loss nf the public d"mnin. Retain them. and
thew must continue. almost without mitigation,
apply what pallia,ives YOU may. 1t is the
aIl-snflicicnr and only remedy.
Thus far would seem clear. ] do not see
how il is possible for any one To doubt that
crS>i"n would reach the evil, and that 1t is
The only remedy that would. II. then, there
should he any objection. II can only be I"
the terms ar conditions Of the ceSSlon. II
these can he so al iu-tcd as 10 gIve assurance
rFr, the lands shall be as faithfully managed
g., lie 81 ties rs BY this Government. and
,!a, ~ he interests involved shall he a.
u,'i. ~ trtrrr secured rIan under the exist
r.. >'..,,. IL that Could he desired would
r.. .r,'"i. sd Il " i~"crr"Is removed I"
rt.,. f. al ,,ti'- settlement "i ihIS gIent.
.rx",i. u. Il u."rnr> TieS'i"n. In SAVING
III ui,irrrrru-, ! ibid that lie right 1t disP"s-
inr al them rs pr"I",>ed, especially when de-
mandedb v high considerations Of policy, and
when il can he done without pecunIary loss
To- the Government, as | shall hereafter show.
cannot he fairly denied. The Constitution
gives to Congress the unlimited right of dis
posing Of the public domain, and Of course,
without any other restrictions than what the
nature Of that trust and terms OF cesslon may
impose. neither of which forbid their cesslon
in the manner proposed.
That the conditions can be so adjusted,
cannot doubt. ] have carefully examined
the whole ground. and can perceive no dIi
fcul,y ,rat cannot he surin"unted. lee
assured that all which is wanting Is TO attract
the attention of the Senate to the vast nm
por,ance ofdoing somerhing..that will eileclu
aaIIv arrest the great and growing evil, result
ing from the application OF the system, as
exists. to that portion of the public domain