Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-03-19
: lsso, IAe L,aI.l,lnr. o. N.~ Yolk d,ela,ea.

on OF the Constitution as the proper rule ard gulte
ios distribution; and New To'k was then the poliu
esl domain of Mr. Van Buren,. II distribution was
men eonsttut oual, il must be so now. IL is not
necessary, them to argue that the ma ior includes tho
minor propositions and that consequently, the dis
u'oution OF the whole being constitutional, dis,r
Vuton OF parts equally 50, according 10 this high
anthori,y-the authority Of the Democratic party
ana ITS head; Of which, the gentleman from Louisa
was and is a member; aud Of which. have the hon.
or TO DO "disant connection" at least, holding as
~edo, common faith in certain distinctions.
| MIR 5. said, the gentleman from Louisa argued
that this "disiribuiinn' would induce the States TO
expect and desire the Federal Government to sup.
ply them with revenues which would produce con-
sohdation of power in the Federal Government. and
eSirav1sance and waste in the States; and that
hoSe who expended money should be required 10
RAISE II by taxing the people. This portion of his
argument, fully examined, far as It is really per-
tnent to the case fails TO sustain his poSiiion. but
may be turned with effect 10 support the policy OF
distribution. The apprehension that distribution,
even OF the issues Of the customs, among the States
could produce the results o! depe ndence, on the
par, OF the States, and consolidation that of the
FEDERAL Government, is "hgment OF the fancy" II
the Federal Government VAS the Government Of n
people, distinct and foreign from those OF the States
II the distribution" was ike to the subsidies PAID
by Lewis OF France to Charles of England then tic
relation, growing ont Of that distribution" would
he such. as would Justify such npprehensions. II.
when the States received this distribution fdnd ~
they, like unto the Israelitcs Of Old "did spoil the
! Egyptians" extravaganza ard waste would be the
! consequence. Dut there is no such case presented
IN the relation that the State and Federal Govern
ments bear to each other aud 20 the people and 10
| which this portion of the sentcmsn's argument
would be applicable. Both Governments are the
agents, the governments, OF the same pcople-a
free, enlightened. practical people. who know full
we'll the purpose Tor which each was created: who
know that they pay the expenses OF each; who know
that taxation whether direct or indirect, is equally
contribution from their packets; who know that
they cannot possibly gain 10y permitting either Go.
vernment 10 raise revenue for tho other; and who
knowing all this, will permit such n state OF things
or such results rs spprehended hy the gentleman
from Louisa. The po rton of the senileman's ar
cumrn', applicable 10 this question before the House
i. that which insists upon the wisdom of tecu-ir-
Governments % raise, by taxes from the people
the money which they expend, - a preventive of
extravaganza, and tits certainly most in accordance
with The poitea principles fthe gentleman. as well
as most appropriate, TO Apply this argument, 10 sus.
tain The policy Of the "disirbution"
Ire gentleman from Louisa and myself have be-
'nged to the same party, and both still profess the
same iai'h. which teaches among other things
that ihc Federal Government - the crest source OF
d'nser 10 the liberties the PEOPLE; faith VIII ,se adj
dvocaes profess 10 have been ed for forty wears
m constant struggle 10 preserve the barriers of The
Constitution, crd 10 arrest Federal arrrcssions on
Slate Rights. They have made the expenditure Of
public money, by the Federal Government Ard
nunc a'icn. Money being power, and the misuse of
u So dangerous where can tho rrincinc OF r., SEN
,en'aH re 50 properly and Wisely applied os 10 The
Federal Government That the people may keep
n watchiui eye upon u, Il should he re1u;fed to
rlse all lis revenue by taxation; every other soprcs
o. revenue should be refused 20 l.. The mode nv
which that IS IN be accomplished is by cutting of
the proceeds OF the lands from the Treasury. bv
distributing them among the States and by com
Te'llng the Government TO derive AL i,s rrvs,uc
from the customs. The people will be n,ore h.
serTan, OF the expenditures of the Government and
those "Ssnt'nels on the watchtowersr who bsvc
called SO often IN vain upon The people 10 o2pose
the dangerous action" of the Government will
have less iculty in arousiug them The srsn
ment IS a cool one, and most applicable IN the sun
port Of the distribution bill. The gentlemen from,
Louisa should be saii'hed with this npnlca,iou NJ
his argument; for he canno tie willing TO bekod
flow Of m oney into tho Federal Treasury, which
does no; come bv taxation from the pockets of Tho
people, and on the use OF which there are non. 90
those restraints which he has argued 10 be absoluteIv
necessaryi lie cannot be willing to see power Of /
winch he Is so apprehensive, susta ned by means
independent OF, ard not derived, from the people;
and will prefer an application OF this check 10 th,i
Government, which he breads rather than TO those
from whom he has and can have no fear Of dancer
To our politicians, for theirs hiss been always con-
hiet OF defence, according 10 our "absiracons" By
ms measu:e, IN this view Cf 1t, too very important
results will be accomplished. A soure. of unro,
lN|.
ent OF, and a supply a strength wi. be given 10
The States, by restoration OF their rights by which
q nearer approach 10 a balance Of power will be
the consequences.
The gentleman from Louisa also resa-is this
Distribution policy, rs demoralizing and c-rrur:ins
m i's effects upon the Safes. To enter into an
argument 10 demonstrate that the LEGISLATURE. or
the people OF Virgins, cannot be bought o. cor
rHpted by the distribution of the Land Money
would be labour loS' No Judgment free from he
iniusnc Of an excited naginaiion could doub, on
that point and with Democrats. whose irasina. |
tons control them, good Democratic authority ,gopld
nave conclusive weight. No Democrat will doub, /
that GenI jackson was a wise man, and alwny.
ANXIOUS 10 preserve the public virtue. His opin. |
ION, sustained by his party, that TO distribute no,
only ire proceeds Of he lands, hut OF the customs
also, was wise, Just and federal" has been already
adver'ed to ) and What is perhaps Of equal consc
quthce mere m Nirsinn, the authority OF mother /
distinguished Democrat, 10 the sare effect is bsf,re
rs The abeS, Democrat in this STATE. who. bv |
ms talents his energy, and his experience, is the /
head ana front, the very soul Of his pary has nso
approved the policy md safety Of distribution.
Yes, Sir, MIR Richie, in 1888, when the report or
WI MeL'ane; men Secretary Of the Treasury. wa.
MADE, IN which he recommended a sale Of III.
Ianos. and the distribution of the proceeds among
the states, wrote eloquent editorials 10 dispay the
great advantages 10 Vireinil, Of this very me1sur.
o. distribution He looked upon it, and was De.
hehhd-he examined u, and was cbnrmed-b.
studied It, and was inspired. In propbetic vision
us effects to Virginia appeared before him; roads
ana canals penetrate every recess aud gave access
u all the undevcoped resources Of the Stnte !
ihose avenues were peopled by industry and tuned
with wealth; the hum OF successful and bepnv in.
cusiry made music through oil her borders : her I
sons, henieh'e m ignorance rose up in the mn /
lesy Of awakened intellect and challenged fellow
SHIP with the enlightened OF any cline; and noun. |
tom and valley blossomsd with prosperity. Al.
this was 10 be tie fruits Of the reception bv I
virginia OF her portion Of the proceeds o. IN, |
SAFE OF the public lands. No doubt Tho p1yf,, |
were equally delighted, for he rules the spiri,s /
oi the Democracy with "profp-Tous yyand - |
The only difficulty that occurred to him. wns oq,
doubt as 10 whether the constitution would rot have
TO he amended. TO permit the distribution. but the /
OBJECT WIS sufficiently important 10 i5s,icv ILc /
amendment. None Of the hideous phnn'oms Of 4, |
corrupted people, nnd Consolidated government
thai now disturb the democracy. appeared IN his /
vision" then. Not even the slightest nppre bepsion
OF evil was with him then. Not the smallest eloud
rested upon the Ens'crn horizon IN threaten 10 oor,
The magnificent prospect spread before him All |
was beautlfu. Here is Dem critic authority Of the
most conclusive character Things do not chance
Their nature. That which was Just and incorrupt
yesterjay, will be TO morrow Il bein- inc, I'd
rife in principle nine yenrs since to disrlbn,s ,bo
proceeds Of the lands il is equally 80 to distribute
them now. But, nevertheless, and strange 10 tell !
change Of ssntmcnt has come over the democrary
and Mr. Richie since. They and he ARE oil horror
at the bnre thought u this identical dstrbtion ood
sec nothing but ruin and corruption, ard woe Ms lie
consequences. The inexperienced ond purest yco.
Wahry o. the country, no doubt, marvel al this
ehongei no doubt i is to them on enigma. Add
Yei ne resolution Is simple, is brief that IL mus.
De TO than almost MS strange In 1888. this u,,.
sure Of distribution WINS proposition Of the DINO
cratic pnrfY. IN t9ft ibis SINE measure or ,st,i