Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-08-29

Oihtpue VI tUc RIHUt VI lnb OUU,UUU HCIes W tbO
new States? Does any gentleman suppose that
that quantity OF land would have been granted "a
the new States without the aid OF the old States
And can any one imagine that The old States would
have done this, unless they were to receive their
share of the proceeds, provided for in the bill
II TINS he so, aud no doubt il, and If Con-
gress would not undertake to interfere with this
grant oi land TO the new States, how can we dis
charge our duty to the old States except by con-
tinuing to them their share of their proceeds p.
Any other course would he fraught with the most
manifest injustice. ! am for carrying out the in
lenlions of the act to oil concerned. | would by
no mems attempt to deprive the new States OF
their 100000 acres, and would no sooner attempt
to take from the old States the portion which is
due to them. Let equal aud exact justice BE- done
to ALL
There is another reason which operates power
fully with me in favor of permanent settlement
of this land question. As long the proceeds of
the sales Of the public lands are applied to the or
binary expenses of the Government, we cannot
expect any permanent policy IN regard TO our i'm
pnrA duties. The land il fiucuNtng 1t may lie
million one year, aud five or ten millions auoth-
or year. In that event, there will be mn effort to
reduce any Thrift which may be established, be-
cause the amount ofrevenue exceeds the cconOm-
ical wants of Tie Government But il the pro-
ceeds ofthe lands are distributed to the States, we
eau then establish such Tariff as shall furnish
anu, NY proper III
equate protection. Such Tariff would he per-
manent; aud under it the grrnt interests Of the
country would sustain themselves Those euga
ged in any particular branch Of business would
know what to depend ON. But as long MS the rev
enue is subjected to the fluctuations of the land
proceeds, just so long will the Tariff question be
agl.aied and whilst agtned every branch of bust
ness will he in)uridusly affected by IT, Let us,
then, make All effort now dispose ofthis matter,
81 as best to promote those great interests of the
country which are so deeply involved in the fate
of the present bill.
These are the views which entertain on this
subject, mud they are Of themselves sufficient for
the vote shall give. But there is another con-
sideration which would command my vote against
the pending motion TO strike out the distribution
clause, namely, the wishes OF those who sent me
here. The land distribution is Wing measure.
1t formed part of the issue in the great political
contest Of 1910. | was returned here by that par.
ty, and am here to carry out their measures |
have thus far done it to the letter, and shall con-
nue to do il, under any and all circumstances
When they elected me- they did not ask me what
! would do, or what were my opinions But they
know that perfectly understood VITA! were their
views Oh those great and leading questions, aud
that as an honorable man, would carry them out
in good faith, if accepted commission at their
hands. Sir, they did not mistake me: have us
ed my best eXerllons to carry them out, one and
all Hlu II cOnlu not nave tnaue up my NINA 10
do so, would not have accepted the place. or
would have resigned it in favor OF one who could.
Happily, however, in all these measures my own
judgment is in accordance with their wishes.
Sir, let us pass this Tariff; distribute the pro.
ceeds of the public lands adopt some system 10
regulate the currency aud exchanges; and the
country will forthwith move forward on the high
road to prosperity confidence would be restored,
business would he revived and, instead OF the
gloom and dependency whrh pervade the who e
community, cheerful aud happy countenances
would. salute US every where Without these
measures, we present to the world the extraordi-
nary spectacle of n country possessing all The ele-
mrnts of prosperity, but unable to move n single
step towards her high destiny; her commerce de-
pressed her manufactures prosirated her me.
ciancal interests ruined her agriculture sacrf-
ced her citizens driven to despair; and furnished
wives aud children crying to distracted husbands
aud fathers for bread. Could gentlemen summon
sufficient patriotism could they above the
foul atmosphere of party aud breathe the pure air
ot love Of country, our labor and our institutions
might soon recover from the shock they have felt,
and we, who have seen SO mlny hopes ruined, so
many fortunes crushed such widespread aud
deep distress might have at least the consolation
of once more seeing the land glad with industry
and prosperity.