The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-02-05
THE PUBLIC LANDS, AGAIN.

THE PUBLIC LANDS, AGAIN.
The debate on the Public Lands continues in the
Senate. Mr. Calhoun has given his opinions at
length The leading men Of both parties have also
given their views. Our limits will not allow us to
give extended extracts. We have however eXam-
ined all sides with what candor and imparalily we
are able, and see no reason for changing our old
opinion on this subject. That is, that, according to
be considered common fund for the use and ben
eft of such Of the L. $. us have become, or shall
become, members Of the confederation, according
to their usual respective proportions in the general
charge and expenditure, and shall be faithfully and
boaa .i1c disposed of for that purpose, and for no
other-usc or purpose whatsoever" E
Whatever may be the policy in future with re-
gard to this question, we are decidedly opposed 10
looking Al it, at the present, in any other light than
that in which the deeds of cession evidently intend
ed it should be contemplated. In the first place,
as u good and sufficient reasou-seling Mr. Cal
houn's project out Of the question: oppose Mr.
Clay's the pure party and purely federal measure,
the general distribution, because the Government
has barely money enough to meet its expenditures
BY appropriating the proceeds of the sales of the
public lands, Take that revenue away and its neccs-
sary expenses cannot be met hat by additional taxes
on the people, or an increase of the tariff, which
amounts to the same thing; for, as the duties on
imported articles form part Of their cost, they are
increased in proportion TO the profits of the import
and retailers, and the tax is finally paid by the
consumer
As another reason, in the language of Col, Ben
ton, we think it strange that recommendation to
distribute the proceeds Of the public lands should
be made to the several states ut the very time we
are discussing grave points with Britain, and have
not money in the treasury to put our country in
state Of defence, that the states have become so
greedy after the surplus revenue OF the proceeds of
the public lands, that every proposition of the Mil
itary Committee for the defence of the country is
dsrcgarGcd. This is Il striking fact. We are at
this moment in angry contention with the greatest
power the world ever saw-not excepting the R0-
man empire-and yet make no preparation 10 en-
force the rights we so 2oaously insist on. Our
navy could not stand against the fleets of Britain
for an instant, every town upon our scacoasl
would be at the mercy Of steam batteries and ho-
low shot The slaves, or freedmen of the West In
dies would furnish them with troops peculiarly an
moving to our southern country. At tho Island of
Bermuda, Great Britain is accommodating coal, steam
machinery and oak liubcr. A large body of hIacks
are formed into regiments, and under strict disc-
pine, Is it not folly for TO 60 into a negotiation
with power so skilled aud SO armed, without at
least defensive preparations. fear the last war
hls only served to spoil US, and that like the child
rem Of israel we will think that God takes so much
Of us there is no necessity TO take thought for
ourscyos'
Without doubt, Col. Benton has taken the truly
constitutional democratic ground ON the absorbing
question. Tho publ; land, belong to the United
States The Government need the proceeds Of
their sales, and should have them aov, 10 say the
least, Time may suggest another pocy-thcr
re.lrocossion 10 the original owGcgs, or some other
p.n which experience may suggest, bun row, orr
opinion is decidedly against any pan Of disiribu-
ton whgcvcr.
In our Judgement, we may remark here, the
general distribution plan of Mr Clay is only the first
iearurc, as yet distinctly Developed of the great
plaza Of Gen. llarison's Administration, which irI
adopted will be followed by the assumption of the
plans under whatever specious DISCUSSES, the real
democracy Of the country must array themselves,