Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-07-16
LAND IIOi

LAND IIO!
We congratulate the country on the passage
fthe Land Distribution bill though the House of
Representatives. We regard this as emphati-
cally the great measure of the Session. The
subject has now been ten years before Congress
and the People. Mr.. Clay introduced the first
bill embodying the principle in 1892 1t then
passed both branches of a Jackson Congress by
large maiorites, but was arrested by the arb-
trary Veto. In 1886 bill cffccting this purpose
substantially, so far as regarded the land pro-
ceeds of the three proceeding years was matured
and passed. Since then, the times have been
nauspiclous but, in defiance of all the force of
Executive power, we doubt whether there has
ever been majority in Congress averse to the
principle.
The reasons for passing this bill are various
and cogent. In the first place, the Public Lands
bclong 10 all the States. They were won from
a powerful foe by the valor and constancy of our
common ancestors. But they lie who'll ywhthin
the territory of the New States, which are al
ready most powerful, and will be overwhel-
mngly 50 after the New Apportionment. In
these States it is hobby of leading demagogues
that The Sovereignty IF The state eriinguishes The
righTUi iUlc # The whoIe People to these Lands--
that fifty thousand squattcrs in Arkansas are
the righlful owners of the Public Lands therein
States. "Sr," said Hon. Rolin c. Mallory in
Congress twelve years ago; 81 wish to assert
the principle that the People own the Public
Lands in the West" 81 can tell the gentle
man. was the taunting reply of Missouri de-
m'gogDe. "ihat Vermont does not o,on foot
Of ttW Mcre."-The vote on the Distribution
Bill answers that bravado.
Every clear-healed, observing man must sec
that the interestW the Old States in the Public
lands--an interest of at least One Hundred
MiI!ions--lnust now be secured or surrendered.
Every year Benton brings forward Graduation
Bill, to strike off at one dash more than half the
value of these Lands. Calhoun follows with a
proposition to cedc the Lands to the States. en-
closing them respectively, to be sold out by
them on shares Van Buren,, Wright e. Co.
play into the hands of these compatrios just as
far as they dare. The object of these movements
is to make political in the West by sacrifice of
the interests of the Old States. And there is
obvious and imminent danger that these plots
will be successful. When Senators from New
York and Connecticut vote to dcspoil their own
constituents, what can we hope The People
OF the New State have an immediate, present,
tangible interest in getting the Public Lands for
little or nothing. The interest of the Old States
in resisting them is equally strong, but unhap-
ply less direct and immediate. One half our
People know and care nothing about it. But the
passage OF the Land Bill will remedy this max
ing the interest of the Old States equally palpa-
bic with that of the New. AS measure of
prccaution and security, therefore, this bill is
invaluable.
We need not press the argument based on the
embarrassed condition OF many of the States.
Every body understands it. The Federal Gov
ernment Is the trustee OF great domain be long
ing TO twcnty-siX States. Half of these propri-
etors are now labornr under great pecunary
difficulties, which seriously dcpress the credit
and cripple the prosperity of all. What onght
TO be done! We say, Give the States the cur
rent proceeds Of their property respectively.
Away with the nsolence which preiends they
will sqnander or msappy it Are they insane
or ldolc !
This bill, while it is Just to the Old, is gen.
rous to the New States. Each of these is al
lowed 100000 acres Of the Public Lands within
II borders and per centa.,e OF the sales. The
balance is divided equal omong all the States.
10 many 1t Will prove most seasonable and
grateful relief.
Gratiiied as we are with the ftct of this bills
Massage, we are not less 80 with the manner
The Wing phlianx was compelI led at last to a
bayonnet chlrge, and they did the work gal
lantIy. After this bill has been discussed for
ten years, once in terms and twice in substance
passed by Congress, and now discussed over
again in seren approving and ftieen opposing
speeches, the cry of the opposition is still 'More
time Give us another day Gays Mckeon.
No, SIR replies Stanley, you have had day
after day already. Take to-day to conclude.
At o'clock this evening we lit the bill out of
Committee il we are strong enough So said,
so done and Mr. Rhett was obliged to shut off
his cIoquence at 'nIneteenthly,' having purpose
y got INTO the very midst of it, (his second
speech on the bill, we belIeve,) when the hour
ot came roHd. Ii the House will continue to
act in this spirit, the l.oco-Foco cIamor about
waste of time Will soon be set to different
tune. We ardently hope it may bc.-N Yorker