The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-07-02


wholly depans from th.s princpl which The
sIslency OF The itle set up would necrssaly rt-
quue g. be pursued and distributes the proceeds OF
the lands among the States, by the substituted aud
entirely different rule Of fsderut numbers.
Having traced The question OF the ceded lands IA
It's origin and progress under the articles OF conisdefs
tion, LEI us now ho. they we're considered and
treated the adj ptIon of the present Constitution
Do you find In that Tunlen or IN any oil HE conleh-
poraneous publc and documents the slightest color
gwen the idea that they IL be garded The
property of the States Individually On the contra
~, the Constitution expressly speaks OF TIE puhlc
territory (Which then consisted exclusively Of The
lands embraced by the Virginia De OF cts-
slon) las property belonging 10 The United
States" and such, invested Congress with "the pow
er to dispose of and make all neediu rules and regu-
latons, respecting IT," The Federalst, the highest
coh'emporaneous exposition Of the Constitution, IN
repeated Instances speaks OF these ceded lands as
having become the absolute property of the nation.
In the Ilh No. of that publication from the pen Of
General Hamilton, the cession Of lands made TO the
United States are spoken of as having been made "ior
the benefit Of the whole and the vacant west
ern Territory, thereby acquired as being the common
property Of The Union" MIR. Madison, in the 3sh No
speaks OF them, in like manner "a mine Of vast
wealth the u. Staies,h capable, under proper mad
agement both Of eectng the gradual discharge OF the
public debt and of pouring beral tributes INTO the
Federal Treasury" In this character, th have been
acted upon by the whole legislation OF Congress, from
the period of the adoption OF the constitution down
to the present day.
There is no other view Of the subject which will
bear for moment, the test OF history or of argu-
ment. The whole body Of the public lands, whether
derived from the cesson of particular States or ac-
CURED by purchase from foreign powers, are the
property of the United States. As SUCH they are, In
the language of the Constitution subjected 10 the pow
of Congress to dispose and make all neediul rules
and regulations respecting them" This IS an ample
discretionary but at the time highly responsible
power, which calls for the prooundest wisdom and de-
| hl,.l thaa
mon property of the nation ought TO be devoted TO
the general Of the Union, long they are re-
qured for that purpose But II, IN the adjustment Of
a general revenue system, depending mainly OH du-
ties on foreign imports, 1t should be found That ihose
duties Wisely and justly arranged without pressing,
with undue weight, on any interest or portion OF
the country yield ample supply for the wants OF
the National Government, 1t would undoubtedly be
within the scope of the plenary power which we
have seen that the Constitution vests III Congress
the disposal of the public lands to turn their proceeds
under such circumstances, into new channels, which
would distribute their benefits without departing
from the principles of Just equality to the different
members of the Union. In such state OF things, to
use the language of President Jackson in his fourth
annual message to Congress, 1T would be " IN the
discretion of Congress to dispose of the public lands in
such way best to conduce TO The quiet harmony, and
general interest of the American People" But SO long
their proceeds wanted Tor the general purposes
of The nation, there be application of them SO
Just, equal, proper in ise or so much IN llar-
mony with the motives and manner OF their acquis-
ton, whether by cession by purchase to devote
them to " the general charge and expenditure OF the
Union.
The poIicy of Distribution TIL lately, Mr. Presi-
dent has been attempted 10 be sustained or ad
vocated any other principles than these AND mere,
sir, while many are always found to do homage 10
the living, let render an act OF justice TO me deaa
The first proposition for distribution of the proceeds
of the public lands among the States was Brought
forward in 1929, by a distinguished representative
OF Penns lvanIu now no more. aliude TO MI ote-
venson, the Representative OF the Piusourg Disct,
whose merits well known to both OF The homo
rabe Senators from that State | had the honor 10
be an humble colleague of that distinguished gentle
man on The committee 10 which his proposition vas
referred, consisting OF Mr.. Glmer, OF Georgia Mr..
Reed Of Mas acnusetIs and other genueuen well
known here, but OF which, of course, The Repesen-
tatve of Pennsylvania was the Chairman; and II is hi
and proper that |, his lie remaining colleague
in the councils OF The nation, should replace upon his
brow the chaple which ought justly 10 adorn 1t,
far the oglnaon Uf great scheule Of publIc po-
hey confers distinction and renown. Though did
give my assent TO the measure, one u exp.di-
enl and opportune legislation at The time, (and II 10
due to the honorable chairman 10 say that he hilseH
did press for Immediate adoptou,) yet la u.uch
of the clear and oTcibe reasoning OF MS able and
sIruclive Report conourred, and still concur. Let
gentlemen look back 10 that Report, and they Will
find in 1t such startling prvtensiun that the pub
nc lands belong to The States! On he contrary they
we've distinctly recognised 10 be the prop rty oi the
Union, grea financial recource Of me nation, and
chlei basis OF It's public credit, which, when net
wanted tor national purposes, would be bes preserve
from diapidation by giving the States immediate
interest IN their proceeds
have already shown that when, three years after
wards, the distinguished Senator from Kentucky Mir
Clay,) took up the proposition, which had been
brought forward IN 1929 by the lamented member Of
the other House from Pennsy van., he sustai ed il
upon similar grounds ,-conteadIng that the public
lands o'lger needed for the of the Nation,
and that the General Go eminent, in fact, enba
rassed not by deficits but by surpiitSses. Ii such
state of things, distribution of the proceeds of the
public lands among the States might, naturally
enough, ind advocates among the wsest and und-
est practical statesmen. Ii wu be recollected that
MIR. Jefferson, in his second Inaugural Address, and
IN one or two OF his subsequent Messages To Congress
anticipating surplus in the Treasury beyond the
wants of the Gen, raj Government, recommended
repartition Of il among the Siaies' rather thin, by
making 1t the occasion of a sudden reduction of du-
ties on foreign imports TO derange the industrial pur
suits, and the established financial system OF the
try. Similar suggestions in like circumstances,
made in several Of the Messages Of General Jack
son. But to Withdraw from the National Treasury
the valuable resource of the public domain, at mo-
ment of the deepest embarrassment in the finances,
and the heaviest pressure upon the credit of the
ton, which we have seen since the close Of the last
war, would, in my humble judgment, be an act Of
suicidal temery, which nothing but the fanalcism of
party can excuse.
ASK hohoraoie gentlemen ii they are prepared
to sacrifice every thing to this nsatiabe-l had al
most said bloody-ido of Distribution tout prir, as
the French would call it, Is the necessary support
of the Government, the salutary efficiency oil the
public service in all its branches the sane iy Of
public faith, the honor of the country Itself in the
eyes of the world, all to be sacrificed rather than
not carry out favorite party measure which stands
suspended by the law Of its creation, and which
cannot now be renewed, but in violation of the most
solemn legislative covenant. | appeal TO Suna-
m of
the country this flo n, if they prepared