Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-07-19

Ia has the approving voice Of the great party whose
principles he is maintaining, must feel more ANNA
ted in hs daily labors and more inspired TO proceed
ia his noble exertions TO save his country from ruin
disgrace and infamy. The whole whis party, west
Of the Blue Ridge in Virginia, believe. are with
you the Distribution Of the proceeds oflhe public
lsnds. Indeed, have never heard in my travels
through this country OF seiiiny eaSs Of a whig
disappearing Of that measure. Tho whole party
are unanimous in its favor, ~ far as have heard,
~lihcnt solitary voice TO tho contrary And we
feel grateful TO you Tor the ability, the energy and
spirit with which you have advocated a measure
well calculated TO advance the prosperity and hap
pnoSs of our country "A measure founded IN JUS
tee, and sanetoned by every consideration Of
policy. But II is gtring aicay the pablo lands at
time when the National Government 10 in debt I
Was there ever such a barefaeed assertion made in
the face OF truth aud common sense1 IL ia giving
away money 10 return II To its righ,ful ownersi Il
Is giving away money by the man who owns il 10
apply IL TO branch OF his bushes, which stands
more IN need OF II than the other. The money be-
longs TO the people Of the States, and they are tho
people OF the u. States. Now whether the game
people will apply their own money TO State purpo.
ses or TO United States purposes, is Il no, entirely
matter Of expcdieucy pOlicy' We say the
States stand more in ne u the land fund than the
General Government. They are more in debt with
les, means to pay their debts. We say the Gene
raj Government can raise revenue great deal moro
cisily-more Justly, and moro economically than tho
States can possibly do, by the means it has ofrais-
ing revenue from foreign importations, by means
oi tsSation, which the poor can pay or let alone;
paying Just as II may suit their convenience or
means OF paying. We say that the States have no
means OF raising revenue Mt this time sufficient TO
pay ITS debts without 4 system OF State taxation
that must, OF necessity, be in,olerable TO the poor
that must bear dis,ressingly heavy upon the
mas, OF society. In such condition Of the
country, we say 1t is more expedient, more Just,
more economical, and more udicious in every
point Of view, that This Land fund should lie
applied 10 State purposes ut this time, when many
OF the States on the verge of hijeons bankrupt
ey and disgrace, and all are overwhelmed in debt
when the States cannot raise revenue sufficient to
pay their debts without selling, in many cases, the
last COW and the last bed that belongs to the wretch
cd poor, 10 satisfy the demand Of the State Govern
ment-a State Government, lie il remembered. too,
that requires about 600 collectors OF revenue whose
pay must come out Of the pockets of the people, for
every ONE that 10 required by the General Govern
ment. The revenue Of the General Government is
collected at a few principal Seapor,s. Two.thir
OF Il is collected at New York. The revenue of
the State Governments is collected by swarms Of
Deputy Sheriiis, who visit every mans house, and
require from every his State tax, il il takes the
last rag that covers his naked children 20 pay il.
And yet, with Reputation, national disgrace, and
MANY, before our eyes, and staring US directly in
the face, we are told that il is squandtring the
Land fund TO apply il TO State purposes!! when il
- the only means by which the national honor cal
be saved from entire destruction. You have done
your duty most faithfully and most ably on this
great question, and you deserve the applause Of
your country, and the gratitude of every man in il,
who appreciates its honor and takes an interest in
its happiness.