Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1842-08-04
From the Richmond r,1is
TIE PUBLIC LANDS.

From the Richmond WE
TIE PUBLIC LANDS.
The following letter comes from gentleman Of biob
intellgence. and as we'll qualified any beyond the
blue Ridge to speak Of the sentiments Of the peops Of
tha, region. We know, as well as we can know any
thing OF the kind. that on question Of public policy
the Wings o tho whole State ever more horsph-
ly agreed than thisoi restoring 10 the States tho
property which belongs 10 them--anJ which for many
years past has been, aud will be continued be wasted
If suffered 10 remain in the Federal Treasury The
strong and unanswcrabe which have pruluced
this uuanimy among the Wings. are succine,ly and
copen,ly stated by our correspondent. The Wings
hold,
|. That the Public Lands belong to the States. and
that common justice requires that The proceeds arising
from them should be distributed
9 lha, sound policy requires the distribution. FIX.
porence proves that II Is but te better than fund VI
corruption in tho hands Of the Federal Government
3 That the States are mcre needy now than the Fed
ers Government. and their means Of raising a revenue
not equal by half 10 those OF the Union. They have
other but direct npon the industry and
property Of the peoplewhich must be paid, and which
bears oppresslscly upon the poor. They have surrce
derod the power OF indirect taxation to the Federal
Goycrnwcni--ihe most easy mode of raising money
which modern ingenuity has devised and which has tho
dd'iuna recommendation obeing paid voluntarily b.
these who do ny il, and who consequently able "
pay H.
l. That The tendency ofdstrluton is TO elevate Tho
Government o fund, which has been, and viii be-.
proigaely used aud transfers II to the States, who will
employ either IN relieving the burdens Of tho people,
VI in education and works Of improvement.
The Wings in the State not only united IN sup.
port OF this wise. Just and hcncicent mensure-but ma.
ny oi the opposite party are lis quasi supporters AT he
last election. rds Of those elected avowed their willing
ness 10 carry out the act. and il fair presume that
they owe their election Ia this avowil Even MIR. An
drew Stevenson when he wished to be made Governor,
,.l ala, III
cumberland, he might be)-bu to sick he 10 form
and express opinion against IL
The politicians, led on by Captain Tyler. who
elected by the people, pledged support this measure
may succeed III defeating II temporarily by squanderng
the money, by other moansbut the people ay COME
TOT knowledge Of their rights in this rgard--and they
will never give their adsosares any rest, until they
shall dlsgoge the money and settle il p, rmauently np
its rghnl owners. II The Federal Politicians persist
in Withholding Justice from the States we predict that
In process Of time, this question, from the of mo-
hty. and the important principles involved, will come
10 swallow up all others.
We commend this letter which il but an echo Of tho
Wing sentiment of the State, to our Wig Senators in
Congress
ABINGDON, July 9th. 1912
Dear Sir-Edito should know the public sentiment.
IN relation 10 their course, Tar il be- collected.
the great subjects which agila,o our country An
honest Editor, who has not only his conscience 10
sustain him. but nho knors that he has the approving
yolce OF the great party whose principles he is maintain
ing, must feel moro animated In his daily labors and
INSPIRED TO proceed IN his noble exertions save
his country from ruin, disgrace and niany. Tho whole
Wing party. west of the Blue Ridge in Virginia. be-
licve with youon the Distribution proceeds OF tho
public lands Indeed, have heard my travels
through this country Of solitary case of Wing disap
proving of that measure The whole party 10 t.rs,n-
in its favor far as have heard. without soli-
tary voice 10 the contrary And feel grateful you
for the ability, the energy and spirit with which youhass
advocated measure well calculated To advance tho
prosperity and happiness of our country:-a measure
founded in JUSTICE and sanctioned by every consideration
Of sound policy But is gicng array the public rnds at
time when the National Government is in debt! Was
there such barefaced assertion made in tho
face Of truth and common sense II isgiving away
ney. return II to its rghtiu owners tits giving away
money by the who owns toappy It to branch
Of his business which stands IN need oft than the
other! The money belongs to the people Of the States.
and they the people of the United States. Now
whether the same people will apply their own money
TO State purposes TO United States purposes is il not
entirely matter OF expedency and polcy2 We say
the States stand in need Of the land fund than the
General Government. They more in debt, with less
to pay their debts. We say ts General Govern
meni can raise revenue great deal more easy-inoro
Justly and economically than the States possibly
do by the means it has Of raising from foreign
mporlaiions by Of taxation, which the poor
pay let alone paying just as may suit their conve-
nience of paying We say that the States
pay It's debts without system Of State taxation that
must Of necessity, be ntoerable TO the poor-th1t
bear dsessingly heavy upon the Of society. M
such condition Of the country, say It is moro expc
dent. just, economical and udicious in
every point of view that this Land fund should be up
piled State purposes at this time. when many of the
States the verge Of hdeous barkrupicy& disgrace,
and all overwhelmed in deb-when the States
raise revenue sufficient to pay their debts, without
selling, in many cases, the last and the last bed
tina, belongs the wreched poor satisfy the demand
OF the Stale Governments State Government, be IL
remembered, too that requires about 200 collectors Of
revenue, whose pay must out Of the pockets Of the
people, for every that is required by the General
Government. The revenue Of the General Government
is collected at few principal Seaports Two-ihirdss
OF it is collected at New York. The revenue Of tho
State Government is collected by swarms Of Deputy
Sherlfs, who vis, every mans house, and require tram
every his State tax, hit takes the last rag that
hsnaked children to pay it. And yet, with
pudsiion, national disgrace and namy, before eyes,
and staring directly in the face, told thatn IL
sqnnderng the Land fund to appyit to State ufposes
when it is the only by which tho national honor
be saved from entire destruction. You have done
your duty faithfully aud most ably this great
question, and you deserve the applause Of country
and the gratitude of every in it, who appreciates i's
honor and takes an interest in It's hsPpness