Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-03-12
The DistriDuti0n-again.


We should really have supposed, that 1t any thing
could open the eyes of the People to the folly OF the
Distribution law, must have been the continued aP-
peal of the Treasury to Congress Tor money, funds,
means TO carry on the Government. Inc message OIL
Mr. Tyler Of Monday last, covers a Report from the
Secretary insisting upon the necessity OF raising from
TO millions of dollars, within the first quarter OF the
wear Under such circumstances, would any statesman
think OF giving away the proceeds OF the public lands
of forcing the Government to issue Treasury notes,
borrow money, or raise the taxes: Even 1t the
proceeds of the lands not sufficient TO supply the
wants of The Government yet We would with their aid
be able TO dispense with higher dutes and issue lever
Treasury notes. and OF course at higher value; or to
contract smaller debt and better terms, because the
loan would be guaranteed upon Inc immense security
of the public soil.
One would think, that these developments OF the
condition OF the Treasury would induce the wings TO
recede from their position, and abandon the proceeds
of the lands to the necessities OF the Government
But such is not the fact The they are wanting
with the greater ,enacy do the Wings adhere TO them.
The more they clanor in behalf the law. They lavish
crcer upon those who would repeal It's absurd
provisions. No change of circumstances can change
their determinations II Mr. Clay insists upon raising
the duties from 20 to 80 per cent, the duce Wings
go with him-and the Distribution must be carried
Ii the Compromise Act OF 50, which these Wings
themselves soemny pronounced by Their resolutions
OF 80 TO be ''sacred and lnvloate to be prescribed
for tine purposes of the Distribution, it matters not
The Wings insist upon carrying 1t out over the RUNS
of The Compromise Act. They insist upon carrying 1t
out though the duties to be increased one.iiali
that is, from twenty TO thirty per cent Should
the Senate Of Virginia persist IN adherIng 10 The
resolution Of 39-the Wing organ aims It's poisoned
weapon ut their heads-hinls al their acting "undsr the
dictates of stupidity, and surely from blindness TO
the true interests Of the Commonwealth ride ules
them as "harsplilting abslractonsts and mcreenary
demagogucs 1t decIums upon the "unmachable
piece of Injustice" of which such have been gull
ty the people of Virginia II declares, that f they
do not deserve to be beaten with many Stripes they can
only escape under the plea, ihat thef oty greater
than their wickedness. And all this, because we III
Virginia want the money-and we ought therefore to
take il, whatever principle may say to the contrary
All this too, part, because Distribution Is fayorite
measure Of their favorite champion, and 1t has be-
come n party measure Of the Extra Session. We
pass over The nsious and seductive character fthese
nercenary appeals We in Virginia not yet Fee
BILE but we can carry our own ends by our own
means We can build up our own schools, make our
own roads, without STOPPING TO beg for the subsdlse Of
the Federal Government. If we are pressed now for
all the means which may desire, yet the storm is
passing by and better auspices and brighter skies
await u.s. But where is the injustice of which this
Wing demagogue complains Are we to take the
bride al all events, Are We TO lose sight OF all our
principles? Are 10 eat our own resolutions OF 80
Are we TO sacrifice the Compromise act-and raise the
Protective Tariff upon the South half Is the "stu
pidi,y" of the Wing TO know no limit Does it not
know, tina, when the U. s. give away the public lands,
the vacuum must be supplied? that for every dollar
which the South receives she TO pay double treble
tax on every article which is consumed Solar, them
as there is an injustice in the case, j, is imposed BY
those who would substitute Tariff for distribution
So far as there is any stupidity it is the part OF
those, who would have pay Two or three dollars,
for every dollar receive.
So much for the Ethics, and The discretion OF the
Whig-its justice the People of the Southland il,
courtesy to the "supid and mercenary demsgogues OF
the Senate