Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-01-26

4
loss to the Government and greatest advantage to the
settlers, by judcious system Of graduation and pre-
emptIon; and It is with that view that provisions are
made for both in the amendment which | intend TO
offer 1t provides, that the States may, at their dscre
tion reduce the price of all lands which have been Of
fered sale 10 years and upwards 10 one dollar per
acre, after the 30th OF June, 1872 and all that may be
in market for - years and upwards 10 - cents per
acre, after the 30h Of June, lSI1 and all that may
been twenty years and upwards, 30 cents per acre.
after the 3Oth of June, 1852; and all that have been
twenty-five years and upwards, TO twenty five cents,
after the Both of June, 57 and all that have been 30
years and upwards, TO twelve cents, after the Both OF
June, 1862 and all that should remain unsold FIVE years
thereafter, TO be surrendered to the States with the
right ALSO at their discretion allow presumption for
ninety days to settlers at each step the reduction Of
tic price. II also Provides that all lands after having
been offered for sale in those States, shall the cxp
ration Of ten years from the time Of being offered, be-
come subject, in like MANNER 10 graduation and pre-
empton.
the object of these provisions is 10 hold induce.
menis to the settlers to purchase by bringing the lands,
within reasonable period, To price which would not
only justify, but hold strong Involvement 10 them
10 purchase. One great difficulty in the way Of pur-
chasing, as the system stands is, that the great
body of the lands not worth, realy the price
Of 81 %, at which they sold by The Government,
There appears to he great mistake on this point,
which it IS important TO correct. Instead of almost
every acre, as is supposed BY some gentlemen IN
debate, 10 be worth that sum, the reverse position
is true, that was worth it but that which was.
at the time, coming in demand by purchasers
rest the assertion the well established principle
that demand and supply regulate price, and the
fact that an article which is in the market fixed
price, open to the demand of all, and is taken
The best proof that the price is above the marke,
lue At the time 1t is in to talk of Intrinsic value
| "a thing wholly different from price. There are ma.
nv things OF the highest intrinsic value that have no
price, air and water, Wide many of hut small "a
Inc would from their great scarcity, command very
high one. In the language Of business, thing is worth
what it will sell for, and is willing 10 give
more, unless compelled by some particular reason
The occupants OF the public lands partake Of this feel
ing They unwilling to give for the inferior lands
which for the most part they occupy, 81 -, whens
small part only of the best lands offered Tor sale would
command that; and feel that they have something like
jasticc their side in not giving high price
Tor their possessions.
This feeling must be met; and il is proposed to
il BY the provisions for graduation and pre-emption
which have just stated; policy liberal towards
large though poor class, less honest and patriotic
han the Of the community, could not fail 10 have
happy effect, not only in reference 10 them, but IL
more enlarged point Of view. One Of the most import
ant would BE- the great increase Of the number Of
small frechoIders, which, IN The hour Of danger would
prove Of vast Importance especially IN the weakest
portion Of the Union-n the Southwestern States
where the provision would have the greatest CT.
feet 1t would be the class that would would furnish
the hardest and best soldiers, with the advantage o be-
ing Injured TO the climate. Combined aud modified
they would be, they cannot but have powerful weight
in inducing the occupants to purchase IL Will work
revolution his character. lie VIII regard himself
his little domain, itecholder than squater: and
the price the descending scale Of graduation ap
proaces the prices that lands such as he occupies
wonid sell for his industry and economy will be eArrtcd
10 be prepared with the requisite 10 make tn
purchase. The liberal character Of the policy would
impress Inn with deep feelings OF respect for Tie JUS
tice and care OF the Government and the security il
would afford would put end TO the esprit dc corps,
which otherwise would he strong; and all combined
with the influence Of the States the side Of the Go
vcrnmcnt, would, feel confident, guard eff ciualiy
against the danger of losing the lands, far the
cupant concerned, III the only way that would be
practicable.
The amendment proposes 10 leave it to the States 10
graduate and grant pre- emptons not nj their dscre
ton, within the limits prescribed The conditions OF
the several States very different in reference 10 the
expcdicncy Of exercising The right. In the uniformly
fertile region in the upper portion Of The great Valley
of the Mississippi it may not b. necessary resort 10
either, or, il so, 10 very limited extent while the
Southwestern States including Arkansas, il would b.
mdispensablc and hence the proprieiy OF giving lie
right but leaving the exercise 20 the discretion OF the
States. Each State would b. the most competent
Judge whether IT should be exercised or not ana TO
what extent
Having considered the provisions intended 10 guard
against The danger Of losing the lands from mere occu-
pancy, without payment, next propose TO make scme
remarks that Vi their being lost, IN consequence OF
the conf ctnu policy between the and old States
in reference to them, should the present system be con-
tinued. To understand this danger, we must have
Just conce pon of the in which II originates which
| WILL endcavor first TO explain
In the nature Of things Il IS Impossible that the new
and old States take the same view Of the policy
proper 10 be adopted in reference 10 the public domaln
Their respective position, interest," and extent oi hGow
ledge in reference to ii, are wholly different winch
cannot but have correspondent. effect on their views
Of the policy. Tie old States stand reference u
the new sonewha, iii tie high; Of an absent owner u
a large estate, and not without some Of ms feelings
while the stood, III some degree III the situation
Of those who occupy end work his estate with feelings
not little AKIN 10 those winch belong TO mat reateh
That such is the case and that leads to diverse views
al The policy that ough, to he adopted, aud that, again.
10 conflict between them, the questions now before u.s.
the discussion go.ag on, the feelings II eXclteS
and the yearly and violent agitation ot those ln"s
tons Tor The last eight or ten years abundanty prove
Nor is less clear that they have increased and must
increase with the growth and influence Of the
Sa,r. over he action # the Government, tall ihcr r.
pii growth VIII give them the ascendancy, wien lhey
will decide il in their own way, under the hgh pre-
tensions and excited feelings OF real or supposed
Injustice which must necessarily grow out Of n long
continued and violent conflict. II IS, in ike
ncr clear that the evil originates IN the ownership
and administration b. the Government Of the lands
lying in the States, and constituting larger Por
ton OF their Territory. il, 10 these CONSIDERATIONS,
49,
nrcat subject must exsnd 10 aud embrace and inin
cnce in their bearings, every other question Of pubic
pol cy, as is illustrated by the amendment tor dis
Lutinc the proceeds Of the sales OF the lands among thc
States, which, in is consequences takes IN The whole
circle Of legislation, and that i must eater into and
influence all orr political struggles, especially that ~
which all others are concenra;eG-thc Presidential
elcc,ion-somc conception may be formed Of the d ~
tracing influence the agitation and danger wh'rh
must grow out Of this great question, not speedily
settled.
Ifsomcthing be not done not difficult TO see that
the danger from these causes and that from occupancy
must run together and that their combined forces vii
be alloscther irresistible. The occupants on the pub
lie lands lying within The States, are voters, with
ycrbt a, the polls equal TO the most wealthy, and Of
course an equal influence the election of presi-
dent and Wee President, members Of Congress, and
State Governments. hazard little in asserting that,
they have not already, from their numbers, dec ed
influence all the elections in many Of the
States, .hey Will, in very short period, from their
pd increase, il nothing should be done 10 arrest the evil
Tha, influence won'd be felt here, and movements
would be made to satisfy he demands Of so numerous