Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-12-24

II Y m
my opinion eaUnot be answered. Whit laneueE,
| can he broader than Ikat by which the Con,ttu
ION eonv'y' to Congress full power over the dspo
sition OF the public laudsl
| TIE Congress shall have power to dispose OF
and make all nCcdful rules and regulations respect
~, the terory or other property belonsing to th,
United States; AMI nothing in this COnst tutor
shall be So construed n TO prejudice any CLAIMS o
ne Nn1"t States, orc any pir:icu,ar State"
can conceive OF no form OF words that could yes
more p.cnsTy discretionary authority on any SUBJ
lHct than this ceusc of the Consultation vr..s in
Congress over tho disposition OF IL. r"hc terrific.
~. "ell Therefore, DID General Jackson say, in
hs annual message o! 1881, Ih,t the pnblic lands
being then relieved LON their pledge to the paymeo,
OF the teo; of the Revolution
ut - IN the discretion of Congress to dispose OF
them IN such way as best 10 eonduc- to the quiet,
harmony, and general interests of the American
People"
And yet We hear gentlemen OF that political school
now attempting by 80 inverse specie OF aIiIudina-
rIaniSn', TO refine away the plain language OF the
Constitution, and cOntendirs that Congress has no
more power or discretion IN the disposition of Tho
public lands. than u has N the application of IN.
ordinary revenue derived from taxation.
The mv'riabc and unGlsputcd practice uf the
Government, as well a. the abvioGs lester ~ the
Constitution, IS IN oppoSt!Jn to ;i. Theory. Look
into the statute book, and how uany instances do
you nV: hni OF seaerni donations mruc ny Congress
tn tae new State oi large b"d o the pablo lands
from orc hundred thousand 90 half milicn Of ,cr,s
t'sc lfNe uctn tl,iGc NnOAk any QucS' ION
having ever been suggested 80 Ear a. know OF she
cpnstturOuA pl~os ct Congress 10 make them.
And yet who would sccvely contend that Il would
be competent Tor Congress to make donations OF a
hundred thousand ~ hIfa mrliicn OF collars TO ~
d,s.duI states unScr the power nf apprnpratiNg
the puuIIc revenue, defined N the Cons,trtiCn
AShn svcr'nc grants oiiarSe quantities. of the ,uo
lic 'ands have been fem time time made Tor the
establishment OF colleges ami Semneres of earnin.
IA the new ) aes; sod, IN virtuc NJ stNndny mo
/ In ne rerrr.l I.f, ,.,ft II
the 10 section IN every township at land - SCI
/ apart FOR the supper: OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS. And vet
| the widest iautuiInsrau would hardly contend
that CuD:rcSs could consttutiona'ly, by similar
applications ol the ord nary revenue, assume a Pat,
| ronage ovec tie systems Of pJO"c ciues:icn in he
| several States. | might meuiion tie various m
sauccs which ave occurred of donsiinns n, de by
Congress O entire to-nshins u tie pLrilc !-rds TO
parties nf tsrcIsn em.Tant-, wiIh es To crculr-
age the Introduction Of new branches Oi ncr-ylturr
| or rural economy, ari numerous similar examines
IN the legislation Of Congress, all proceeding on the
:nisst dstirc between the lIm ted power OF
CongrcSSin the application OF the general funds OF
the Government and the discretionary au,ha,,ty,
expressly delegated the disposition OF ,se pub.
lie domain BI' fn.helr, and cave tai. part Of
the subject where II may safely stand on the plain
lnngHhge OF the Const'lut on, and the conc. Gsvs
! md unanswered Argument ofmy colleague
The re't d'iiicu,,y attending the question is ore
NJ time, aud rs ~ cpnSlCcrruo0S connected win
The actual Condition o. tie pub C Treasury la tie
remarks "id the honor 10 submit 10 The Senate ~
this suhjec, during lhc les! session Of C,u.ress
! stated the danger here might hs t%a; Il ihe I,ud
/ tIrd Wcse wIthdrswl from the N.tunIi rre.sury
m rs present eThiras>" conc i,r SDch an Increase
~ tn revenue ic cIs oms won Il ue callst! 10. adj.
- lnvovc the r.k e" disturbing the tariff co.,; 1ro-
! mise Dl 1883 Regarding the maintenance OF ,h.,
compromise tniIr' IS tsScna. huuc Of &c c. and
nitmorv in the Union, IL seemed me lhut igs'Icr
Ind policy demanded mat tue distribution a. the
process Of the public lands anon. the States should
nor take place un:I' satisfactory guaranty W :
:iven that the cdo1urn at lha me ,sure should nn'
he permitted 10 rac % the impO uf dutie.
IN any manner eJrac,l5E VITA the principles an,
provisions of The compromise acJ Of 1883. Ira
| yutranjy has at length ICgu gwen hv the Incorpo
ration Of anrn 'menI 10 the bll before US
declaring, IN the mos. sosmr -rt IncquvOclI form
that # 4, any tine hereafter Congress shall pass Z
law imposing any duty exceeding the rate OF 20 pc
cent, stipulated 10y tue compromise act, from tia
moment the iIslrbu ION OF the land tun! amun- IA,
States shall nc sGspCEdeu.- This amendment for
nlshuE every practcab ssclIiIy against an m teas
Of the H. m violation of the corip-onss act anC
conformiG. 10 the tn les: ex ent 10 The views Cec.r
I'd by the popular branch q! the Legislature OF ~,
State IN the proceeding 20 which have Already re
teued, | shrl, without hesitation, record my vo:,
m favor Of the passage Ci the bill. do so from n,
desire fee a: al umes 20 conform my Representa-
tive eCr!'n hs'e 10 the sentiments aud opin.
ions % my S.t'c, as declared 10y the mor- In.
mediate organs OF her WI, and in the thorough
conviction INA: J5rween a y.r,ua! surrender o.
the common inhcrleacs CT The public CONAN
20 a lew fNrr6i States. uuder the name o.
grniun'nn ~ c~s-'on on the one hand, and an euua
Distribution ut the common fund among oil tile
SaieS on 'he o,ler, (Which il can be 40 longer
dOub'iu, is tire srr pTncuc-! alternative now pre-
srnlrd 20 us.l there would be tie uuaninty Of
ne sion among nee PEOPLE rs has CHARGE erzsd the
prrcecta:s OF ,heir immediate representatives, IN the
popular branch o her legislature. Ii the bill shall
! NJ q which.
( the origin Of orr existence nation, has been a
fruitful II heat yurnIngs JeIousles. and dis
! sessions among the States, and Oy placing at the
! disposal Of ch, 'of IN: improvement, physica and
mbri, Il he nlsran condition, talent Of ines'i-
| mlbis vJiue, ii WY employed, Will, | humbly
trust prove the most CT clull means OF promoting
"tne qni-' harmony, and genera! interest" OF all.
The -merdn.u' referred to- and Which now stands A.
Il the law, il m tI"se FrVr,dsd That H.
any uuc rurns toe sEieuce oihis shall ne al