Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-08-18

How ineffably ridiculous it is for John Tyler o
give the Distribution Act as the reason for vetoing
the Tariff. and to claim the merit of pre-eminent
consistency. No longer ago than 1882 in the Vr-
GINA Legislature, he was one Of the lou6es, advo
Gates for this measure Of Distribution, and gave it
his support, Just, wise and benehcen, inca sure.
lie made a Report TO the Legislature in favor of
Dsiribu,ion-and supported that Report by u
speech. A copy OF that speech was furnished by
himself, for the Press In that speech he expressly
took the ground that the disposition of the pre-
ceeds of the Public Lands should not, in any wise,
be diverted from the States, by the mnntena nee
of the Compromise Act. These are his words:
"The public lands not mentioned in the com
promise bill, nor could they have been thought of
by Congress. The fact is that the land bill " az nj
in the Presidenps packet. So far as Congress wi ;
concerned the proceeds of the sales had been dis
posed Of by what only wanted the signature of the
President 10 become law. now THEN CAN
ANY WAY DEPENDENT ON ANY DISPOSE
TON OF THE PUBLIC LANDS.'
Can any words he adopted, more expressive
than thcsel They appear to us TO cover the whole
ground. They go the whole length of supporting
the Distribution OF the proceeds Of the Public
Lands among the States, and depending for Reeve
! nue. upon sources independent Of them.
See what he says IN lsi0-and whether the
lapse Of year had changed his opinions upon tn IS
great measure of public policy. In 1910, he wrote
letter to the Wings Of Pittfburg, and, in that
letter, he reiterates his former sentiments in the fol-
lowing terms, than which the English language
contains nothing more explicit.
"My opinions were fully expressed at 81, Glars
willie and Steubenvi.le. At both places, in regard
10 the question, what your opinions as 10 the
Tariff ! answered that vas in favor Of the dis
trbuton Of the proceeds Of the sales Of the public
lands among the States, and in favor or raising the
revenue by cuties on imports, in opposition TO a
resort 10 q system Of direct taxation, as every wa
onerous to the peope, unprOduc.iVe TO the treasury
and expensive in the collection. That in those
views | was pleased TO believe that cOncufred
with Mr. Clay end Gen. Harrison, so that there ex
lsed prospect, in the event Of Gen. Ilanison's
election, that permanent system would DO intro
duced IN place OF fleeing and ever varying sys.
tenn which promises ono thing to day and produces
another to morrow"
Letany man Of common sense read the foregoing
sentiments, expressed, over and over by this John
Tyler, previously TO the Presidential Election Of
1910, and see whether the reader ca give to his ab-
sufd and inexcusabe conduct, since he has been
| acting President, any merit for consistency.
AT tho session Of Congress, in June, 1871, h
warmly advocated the distribution OF Tho proceeds
OF the Public Lands, although the public Treasury
was IN circumstances Of necessity, and a Loan oil
| twelve millions ives then asked for 10 meet the
vans Of the Government
| lie went into the Harrisburg Convention, tho
| pretended warm and ardent friend Of Henry CLAY.
lie shed crocodile tears over the late Of that omine
statesmen, whom his name was Withdrawn from d
ioto the Convention. Hear what he says, in rea,
ton to the Convention;
~ DO declare" said he, in reference 10 the Con.
ventlon, "n the presence Of my Heavenly Judge
hat the nomination given TO was neither solicit
! I'd Or expected. went 10 the Convention IN HO-
NOR OF HENRY CLAY, and in the defeat o
the wishes Of his friends, as enc Of them, made
nethce Of feeling. even though my own name val
associated with thnt Of Harrison 81 AMI sai,
Mr. Tyler, "a TRUE AND GENUINE WING
and n the Capitol, yonder, have shown my low
Of Wing principles"
After all this then, how grossly insulting il is u
the good sense Of the public, TO say that conssten
ey requires John Tyler to veto the TeHf Bill, 70
tho reason that tho proceeds Of the Public Land
are TO be taken from the Treasury and given TO IN,
States. II the People Of these United States suiTe
themselves 70 be any longer duped ahd deceived by
this man, Tyler they are no longer wodhy TO en-
joy the free institutions which wero bequeaIhed 4
them by their Fathers.