The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-01-30
THE DEBATE ON THE LANDS AND
FINANCES

II was not our fortune to hear the speech of
the distinguished Senator from New Jersey,
Mr.. Southland, but its excellence and great abili-
ty are spoken Of in warm terms OF praise. Mr..
Southland addressed the Senate two days sue
cessively. Those who were witnesses of his
exceedingly eloquent performance at Utica last
summer, or of his several addresses in New
Jersey in vindcation of the broad seal of that
sovereign State, need no new assurance of the
ample ability and readiness Of the Senator TO
maintain the rights and interests of the whole
Union, whenever and wherever endangered or
called in question. New Jersey, with her glori-
GUS battle grounds, may righteously raise potent
claim for participation in the benefits of pro-
perry which she contributed some of her best
blood to acquire. Mr.. Southard's speech will
soon be published.
Mr.. PRENTIss, Of Vermont, some days ago
offered an amendment to Mr.. Benton's bill, pro-
posing to limit the pre-emption right to actual
settlers on the public lands, being heads Of fami
lies or over q years Of age, and in possession
and house-keeper, by personalreside on the
lands, at the time the act should be passed.
wi. hENIiSS suPpOlteu HIS dHeHuHeHt VIII
that cogency of argument which always distin-
cuisines the Senator, and which is worthy of one
of the representatives Of State that fell only
few votes short of winning the prize banner
in the Presidential canvass.
Mr.. WRIGHT, of N. Y. having concluded, on
Thursday the ablest sreech that has been made
in opposition to distribution, and which seemed
~, aal,a al &c thot
Mr. CLAY, of Kentucky, whose name has long
been identified with the policy of distribution,
rose to review the course OF the argument, and
to defend and urge the distribution combined
with pre-emption in preference to the bill OF
Mr. Benton or the cession bill of Mr. Calhoun.
The speech Of Mr.. CLAY, was finished yes
terday and is ranked among the noblest eff
forts of the distinguished Senator. Our rea-
ders understand, that although the Presumption
Bill is the measure immediately before the Sc
nate the discussion has embraced a variety of
interesting and important subjects of policy
the Revenue, Distribution, Tariff, State Debts,
&c. &c. Upon all these Mr. Clay delivered his
views, in the presence of an immense assem-
blage of delighted auditors.
Mr.. Tallmadge also unclaimed the attention of
the assemblage by a short, but most animated
and effective speech.
Mr.. Calhoun will address the Senate to-day.
Mr.. WISE, of Va, took occasion in the course
Of his remarks in the House the other day, TO
contradict the assertions Of the Richmond En-
quirer and other papers that he was likely to 90
into opposition to Gen. Harrison's administra-
ton, or that he was embittered by the election Of
Mr.. Rives Although he would not have voted
for Mr.. Rives he was, nevertheless, glad that
Mr.. r.. was sent back to the Senate of the United
States, and hoped he would pursue the Repub-
lican tack of his great patron, Nh. Jefferson.
Mr. Wise expressed dissemination to dis
turb the tarifi-doubted the propriety Of called
session of Congress, and several other measures
be best for members to 90 TO the bosom of their
constituents, and learn fully their wishes and de-
Examinations in regard TO Bank, tax on Injuries,
distribution of the proceeds of the lands, &c,
before precipitating these measures. Mr.. Wise
is independent, and independence is one of the
privileges for which we contended in the late
contest.
II is not little remarkable that, while Mr..
Clay was Yesterday advocating with all his ab
ity distribution of the proceeds Of the sales OF
the public lands in one end Of the Capitol, Mr..
Wise was strongly opposing such a measure
in the other.