Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1841-02-20

Y.
; OF providing for contingencies: not that have
any disposition 10 give our rivers. the CumbeI.
land road, or the lake harb0rs Far from IT,
expect 70 urge them upon the consIde Of Con
:, gfess 50 long | am honored with 4 seat in this
! body. hope. however. to see the Cumier!anj
road provided for IN the final az Jus ;ment Of the
land question: at the next session of Congress- |,
p. was originally connected with il; and shall con
+, tend tor nc continuance of The conncxion. By
the distribution, at least portion of the money
that Is drawn from Will be returned 10 our peo-
| pie annually. The ylyifying influence of these
annual returns will be felt IN every part Of the
Union, bu. more especially in tho Vest which IS
by the modern doctrines, in effect, off from
participation in the benefits of the National Treas
ury, far direct appropriations are concerned.
| can speak for my State. know that her
share Of the distribution will be most acceptable
to her, circnmsianced as she is; and, il IS her
right, feel II to be my duty Is her represent
t,Yc, to urge the measure 10y my voice well as
by IN vote. At the moment the Senator from
Kentucky introduced his amendment, the Senator
from Missouri (Nr. LINN intjmaied an intention
Of n0.tng amendment to the proposition Of dis
rI5utIJn, - appropriate the land funds to The
W and national dcfences exclusively. | suppose
he meant the dcfences of the Western frontier as
that subject lies near his heart. Mr.. Linn from
his scat SAID no, sir; the entire natioua delouees.
The Senator trom CArollnl, (Mr- Calhoun.) catch
ing At the proposition, hut understanding II t. be
confined to the navy alone took the occasion 10
thank the Senator from Missouri Tor his magma
nimitv, and spoke in strains Of eulorv and hlah
commend tton of the project This is but carry
ing out the policy which hive stated has given
the Government appropriations a saltwater ten
deucT. Bat, sir, rs Western Senator, | cannot
sustain either of these propositions; and let
not be misunderstood: there is one hero who
woul3 % further To sustain tho nation iii all no
ccssarv nppropria tons for these objects; but let
The funds necessary for the purpose not be taken
exclusively from the West; let not the door be
closed forever 10 return II of some part of the
money thai is distracted from us by the continu-
al drain ofthe public lands upon the pockets O; our
citizens. | confess that the two propositions,
coming from the quarter they do, are somewhat
alarming to those who hope 10 see return 10 the
West of some proceeds ofthe public lands. The OBJ
Jects belong 10 the general charge; they strict
~ national and let the nation cherish them; for
should the time come when patriotism and de-
votlon 10 country shall call upon in the
West to act with our brethren III the defence of
our common country, by land or By sea, they have
IN the past sufficient guarantee for the future.
Thirdly. | sustaIa the proposition, because n
compromise founded upon it will unsettle the
land system, but preserve it in an improved form,
while all the different interests represented can
harmonize. On the other hand, the effect Of tho
bill OF the Senator from South Carolina will be
to uusette the land system, create the relation cf
debtor and creditor between the Genera! Govern (
and tho States, and produce conflicts arising
out Of our Indian relations. The distribution bill
will also 90 far 10 equaliza the States who have
received public llnds for various purposes. The
Senator ftom Michigan, (Mr. Norvell,) has repea-
tedly introduced this subject, Ginning upon eqai-
table principles that the other States should
be brought up to the standard of Ohio, that has
received more Of the public lands than any other
State. This bill viii accomplish that object,
if it does not exceed il. The i21 per cent. on
the unsoid lands in Michigan, Icing over 81 ,000,-
900 Of acres would bring tina, State rn0re than
even with Oajo. Michigan has received 9j9,139
acres; Ono has received ,Sl2,9ll acres, differ
ence S73, l52 acres; l21 per cent. or one-cghfh
Of the Gnsold lands III Michigan would lie over ,,
100000 while the l23 per cent. on the 5000 (
900 of acres unsod n Ohio, would be only :250,-
900 acres. So that the effect Of the bill will be
entirely favorable to those of the new States that
have no, received much of the public lands as
Ohio These are briefly my resaons for support
ing the distribution bill. Let Us o,k at the grounds
on which Senators place their objections to liz
passage. 50 far as have been able 10 under
stand them. they these:
First. The measure is unconstitutional.
Secondly. 1t will retard the settlement Of the
States, By holding up tn lands for prices at which
they viii not readily sell
Thirdly. 1t viii stimulate the States to drain
the Treasury OF all the revenue OF the nation,
and leave the General Governmen, helpless.
Four,hly. Il will corrupt the States, and pro
duce prodigaIity among the citizens.
Filthy. 1t will make it necessary. by abstract
ing the proceeds of the public lands from "a c
general revenue, 10 lay additional imposts to meet
the deficit.
These, believe, comprise the principal objec-
tons. | have stated them fairly, aud intend IN
the progress of the debate TO meet and discuss
them 10 the same spirit in which have laid them
down.
The fist question is one Of grave import; for
If that should be gainst me, the argument closes.
and the bill falls. far as depends upon my vote.
AN apprized of The position that IS maintained
by those who deny the constitutionalty Of the
proposed measure. They contend that 1t IS IN
constitutional to "a se money for the purpose OF
distributing it among the States. and therefore,
nasmuch as the abstraction Of the land fund from
The revenue of the Cos eminent creates dehcIt
that must be made up by an increase OF imP2sts'
it raises the constitutional objection The vie"