Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-02-20
DEBATE ON THE PUBLIC LANDS, THE
FINANCES, &c.

Lands, Finances, &c. is file for publication
We cannot give the entire speech this week owing
ITO the press of other important matter on hand,
but present our readers the following account of
some Of his principal points
In opening his speech he expressed the belief
that the Administration fully intended to do moth
ing for the country at the present session; and he
fastened upon them the responsibility of having
occupied the very heart of the session, with the
general discussions that have arisen upon the pre-
emption bill. There necessity whatever
for the introduction of that measure as e-cmp.
'tion bill which was to continue for two years was
already in opel alton. Had it not been presented,
the instructions moved by his colleague, Mr.. Crit
tenden, in favor of the distribution system, would
never have been urged and the time that has been
spent upon the debate might have been devoted TO
the dispatch Of public business. He had hoped
that the coming Administration would at least
have been allowed fair trial. but, instead OF that,
war has been begun in advance. Every measure
deemed necessary for the happiness and prosperity
of the nation has been violently denounced. The
proposition to raise revenue BY taxing luxuries-
tile proposal for called sesson-the repeal of the
Sub Treasury---the distribution system--every
thing designed for the public benefit, has been
fercely condemned in advance, by men whose
Administration has brought the country to the
very brink of ruin. He deprecated this state of
things, he was for peace and harmony, if possible
.--"but,' said he, "if, gentlemen, you for war,
come on Macduff! come on!'
Mr.. Clay put stop to the panic cry got up by
Mr.. Wright, Mr.. Calhoun and others, that the
exercise of the power to distribute the proceeds Of
the land sales, would lead the way to claim Of
aullprty 10 lay tl.cs for the purpose of dividing
the revenue raised among thasStates. He show
ed very clearly that, while there was no authority
given to raise revenue for distribution, the power
Of Congress to dispose Of the territory of the United
States was complete and unrestricted, by a
wise and enlightened discretion. In this part of
his argument, he reviewed the history of the pub
sic dominion, to prove not only the right Of the
Government, but also, the obligations now resting
upon it to make the distribution. The object Of
!he original cesson of the lands, was stated at the
time to be, to cement the union of the States, and
TO pay the debts of the revolution. This was
clearly the understanding. Had the cession not
been made this Union, perhaps, would never have
been established. Besides exposing'the inequality
and injustice Of Mr.. Calhouns project Mr.. Clay
showed what contrast it presented TO the Gharac.
ter OF the original cessiun of the lands. 1t gave
to all the States, the benefit of that dominion which
had been won by the common sacrifices and com.
mon exerons; While Mr.. Calhoun, on the other
hand, proposes TO give up TO nine States the whole
of these benefits, and thus to do that which was
near being the cause of preventing the establish
ment Of the Union, VIXEN seven States had ianc
and six had none.
The eloquent Senator laid down two imp0rnn
propostions-irst, that according to the yer,
terms of the deeds of cesson, there was an assign
ment TO the States Of separate of the fund
drawn from the public lands; they were 10 be ad
ninistered by common authority, but after tl
revolutionary debts should be extinguished, the!
were to be administered for the use of the States
and for no other purpose Thateuer. Secondly, j
being impracticable, under the Constitution, t.
execute the deed of trust according to its terms
it becomes the duty of Congress to distribute the
funds in some other way, and there can be no more
equitable basis, than the rule of federal numbers
which has been proposed.
Mr.. Clay showed how beneficial the distribution
system would be, in relieving the States of the
necessity of imposing direct taxes upon their peo-
pie, and how just and proper it was that this land
debt should be paid to them, ard that the wants CT
the General Government should be supplied by
imposts upon Foreign luXures. In this connec-
tion he spoke strongly in favor of taxing wines
and silks. and entered into number OF statements
showing that in our trade with France there was
balance against us of about seventeen millions
a: the moment when We are allowing all articles of
luxury manufactured in that country to be imported
duty free. He had no hostility to France. He
had indeed showed his friendship, by causing q
discrimination to be introduced in favor of the
silks Of France, against those which are brought
from beyond the Cape of Good Hope But, he
wished to see something like reciprocity establish
ed. He repeated, that the proposed taxes would
be chic fly borne by the weather. classes, and here
he asked in what attitude do those who have pro.
claimed themselves as the peculiar guardians Of
the poor, stand befnre the country, how do thoy
treat the poorer classes! At one time they bring
forward a proposition to reduce the price of labor
Is this to benefit the poor! AT another time they
object to a measure for equalizing more nearly thu
burdens of Government, by taxing uxures. l.
this TO benefit the poor! At another time, agair
they resist the measure which would most elIectu
ally prevent the necessity Of rcsorting in some o
, the States to direct taxes: namely, the measure
distribution Is this their friendship for the poor
Mr.. Wright had argued that the debt. of the Rev