Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-04-25

sess none OF these because We may abuse them as
that we cannot dispose Of the puble lands, because
and munitions OF war.
Here think may leave the general argumen,
where W" always have left II, w. on the terms
p!oye in the deeds ceSsion and the power given by
the Constitution to Congress to dispose OF the
territory Of the United States"
Then, as to the question ut expediency. IL !;
said that this - hut evying taxes Tor the purpose
distributing them among the States I deny it,
We levy no taxes to carry into effect the ds,ribu
ton proposed by the land bill. We do but comply
with an obligation incidentally dsvolvng on US
from high duty imposed by the Constitution and
by the acts Of the ceding States We levy duties
not for the purpose OF distribution. but to supply
the wants of the Treasury. But IL is said II you
had not parted with the avas OF the public lands
You might have dispensed with the raising OF so
much additional revenue. And so IL may be said
ofall other acts aud appropriations OF Congress-
IL YOU made no appropriations at all, you would
want no revenue; the Argument is of no more force
against this than against any other act of Congress
which requires the laying Of duties to carry Il into
effect. But have we not ALL mean the friends OF
/ the land bill-proeSted against tho power of rails.
inc revenue for the purpose OF distribulionl have
ever maintained that no such power is given Ivy the
Constitution. The public lands stand on special
and separate ground-a ground fixed 10y the deeds
OF cession and the erms at the Constitution relating
TO them. The power granted in the Constitution
/ begins and ends with the public lands.
Bat It IS said that distribution is unwise, because
nrequires so much more revenue to be raised. But
how s the iact1 What have We done with the
public landsl Thrown them away1 Do not the
. proceeds go to the of the People OF the United
States? Viii they not be di>bursed by the several
States for their benefit Will the States not make
IS WISE in all probability n better, use of them than
TIE General Government Do they not Ear re .
1 lieve the PeOpiel And does not every dollar any
State receives from the public domain relieve that
State from the necessity OF imposing direct tax to
/ the amount of that dnlla,' IL hiss been argued by
q he
the distribution, by leading to The necessity Of new
duties On imports occasions greater charges IN the
collection Of revenue. But los MS see how that
matter stands. 1.-THE States receive their d,stribu-
tive shares, they are relieved TO that extent from
direc. taISion; and TO that extent let us suppose
an equivalent amount is 10 he raised by duties on
( foreign imports The question then would be-
whether the expenses oi collecting revenue from
direct tex o. from the customs 10 lie ch.apeSt? The
expenses OF collecting revenue from a direct tax,
SuGpoSe 70 be not less than 10 per cent those
from customs are below per cent. There would
be therefore GEAR savIrg o, not less than per
cent But, IN fact, the hole 10 per cent would be
I saved. For not one dollar will he added to the
cost OF collection OF the additional duties mpcs ed
supply the amount Withdrawn by the dis ribuliou
OF the land fund All the machinery Of the custom
houses exists and IS IN idl operation, whether these
additional duties are laid or not And II Is lust as
easy md rs cheap TO collect duty Of 50 or more
per cent one Of - or 2Si per cent.
Distribution reseues the public domain from the
total loss with which II was threatened Ivy the vari-
Gus Wild and 50 lndering projects annually presents
Cd TO dispose Of aud preserves II as an invaua-
be resource Tor the present generation and a pre-
eious Inheritance for posterity. The partisanS Of
all projects, however divided among themselves
combine against distribution. Their \ rtaous indi.-
nation IS aroused by the contemplation OF 4 fair,
equa and Just distribution among all the States;
aud We who favor such distribution, arc charged
with bribery, with plumber, with robbery i-chnrse Ell
by Senators, much more liable 70 be retorted upon
hase Il
CANT schemes. alike unjust 10 the old States and IN
the end detrimental TO the new. Suddenly there
has sprung up among these Senators u new born
zeal Toe ;hc revenue derIvabls from the public lands
I The revenue when some of them told US ten wears
ago that the public lands ought to cease 10 be a
source OF revenue, and pointed exclusively TO the
oustom.housc as the legitimate source; and when a..
vi them, by their respective schemes, would, IN 4
short PERIOD off all revenue whatever from the
public lands.
We are met, at every turn aud corner by these
Senators with demand for the restoration OF the
proceeds Of the public lands. They oppose loan
bills, duty bills every scheme of finance and would
stop the whole machinery of Government, because
a majority IN the two Houses OF Congress diiIer IN
opinion from them to the disposal OF the proceeds
OF the pubic lands. They cry aloud, in the high
est tones OF planuve and lmploring e!oquence, give
us back the lands
Really Mr. President, their condition recalls 10
recollection the degraded case Of the dshonored
widow, who held title TO "A certain description of
copy-hod estate IN England, and had forfeited her
right by misconduct. To obtain the restotat on of
her lands she had 20 appear ia open court, mounted
on black ram, and 10 present an humble petition,
Coached IN terms which will not exactly reciie, lest
they should offend the delicate ser sbity Of grave
Senators, but OF which the following IS a slight para
phrase and gentle e1purgaton, kindly furnished by
a friend near me-
Here am
RIDING black ram.
Weak woman that am;
have play q this wicked same-
- pray. Mr. steward,
lGreat Laughter.
Now, sir, although should not WISH to see such
elegant cavaliers as the Senators from " 70 k
and New Hampshire (Messrs. Wright and Wool
bury) appearing at the door OF the Senate Cham
Der 50 I.l and SC ungrscefully mounted ns they
would be upon such animal, loud bursts OF
laughter may not seriously and sobetly insist
ihnt before We repeal the distribution law and let
them have their land again, they ought to give the
most unquesiiona5le guarantees that there shall he
no revival OF those wastclul schemes by which Il
would he lost forever from US and our heirs
MIR PRESIDENT, have not strength. nor will con-
sumo your time, TO recapiunte. But will con-
| clude by making an earnest and anxious appeal TO
Senators, on NJ sides OF the Chamber, 10 unite by
adopting these resolutions by some other pfaoti-
/ cal plan, N supplying the Indispensable financial
wants OF the Government. The vaults Of the
Treasury nre empty its credit dishonorcd the pub
public into this deplorahle state The Senators on
/ the opposite side ana their party when in power
| by their large scale 81 national expenditure; by
! their disbursement Of every available means sock
ia the late Bank Of the United States and all which
/ they could command; by the debt which they de.
voyed on their successors; and by their total neg
to provide revenue within the year 10 meet the
current expenses Of the year. Are the Senators on
the other side not bound, men Of honor, to come
forward and unite with m retrieving the errors
OF past administration, and IN lifting The Govern
ment out OF its present degraded condition
But Il no cOmpdncuOCs yisiiIngs OF conscience,
no personal considerations, will prompt them IA
cooperate with US, let me adIurc them, rs country.
men, Hs brethren as patriots, at east to unite on
THIS OCCASION and Tor this purpose heart and hand
with ~.
h-J. W DIBRELL respectfully Informs his olr
hcn1s ani customers, that he has returned from IIavan
10 better health than be has been for years
The Affairs u his House. q. W u a 60 unospccfc,
thrown into confusion during hfs ibsencc have been re-
stored 10 order, and having resumed business his bea
energies will be devoted 10 tho service of bis friends. from
whom ho aaks continuance Of that patronage which &c
ncrous confidence ami kindness have heretofore 40 le
rally accorded 90 m. no Y INV
ny Lynchbu-R virsinian. Petersburg Intcilre nrer
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