Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-08-27

button act, and it be really intended that no
distribution is to take place under it, while
there shall be any duties excepting 90 per
cent, whence the necessity of the amend
ment, or of any new legislation on the sub.
jectl This object is already attained. in the
most complete and satisfactory manner, by
the provso to the distribution act IL ere
cutes itself, and by its own intrinsic and
proper force, suspends distribution, when.
ever, and so long as duties exceeding 30
per cent shall be imposed. For this com.
plete, unequivocal, and sef-executed sus-
pension, co-existent with the cause which
produces it, it is obviously the design of
the amendment TO introduce some new
qualification, which even, though it should
not extend to unconditional distribution, in
palpable violation of the proviso of the
original act, would yet, in other respects,
most materially derogate from the fair and
bona tide operation of that proviso. 1t
will not be denied, for example, that under
tine operation of that proviso, if duties ex-
ceedng 30 per cent. should be imposed af-
ter the 30th of this month, the proceeds of
the public lands would lapse into the gen.
eral fund of the Treasury, and be at once
applicable to national purposes. The effect
of this amendment, on the other hand, in
the most favorable view, would be to hold
them in obeysance, at least, admitting nei
Their their distribution to the States, nor
their appropriation to the uses of the Ma
ton. In substituting for the general, per-
manent, and all-sutfcient regulation of the
subject contained in that proviso, it neces-
sarily throws open to new controversies a
question which was intended to be finally
closed by the solemn compact imbodied in
the Distribution law. For one, | cannot
consent TO any of these innovations on the
plain letter and spirit of that compact
Obsta principals, is here the only rule of
safety, as of good faith. In the name of
the country, as well as Of those who were
the immediate parties to it, claim the full
filment of the compact, as it stands upon
your statute book, and as it was deliberately
and solemnly agreed to.
If, as is not disguised, the purpose be en-
tertained of obtaining some enactment to
authorize the distribution of the proceeds
of the public lands, Notwithstanding the
imposition of higher rates of duty than 90
per cent. and in violation of the solemn
compact of the law of the last session. now
IS the time to meet the question. 1t ought
TO be met openly and directly, and for one
am prepared to do so. 1t is evident that
no moment can be SO appropriate as the
present to settle the question. 1t stands ne
cessarily in front of any practical adjust
ment of the Tariff. No one knows this
better than my honorable friend. the Chair
man of the Commute on Manufactures,
tAr. Simmons) In adjusting the rates of
duty to supply the requisite amount of rev.
enue for the Government, it is a prelimna-
ry consideration, which cannot be avoided
TO determine first whether the proceeds OF
the public lands are under existing circum-
stances, TO return to the National Treasury
and form part of that revenue, according
30 the proviso in the Distribution act, or
whether, in despite of that proviso, they
they are still to be distributed to the States.
In one case large amount would be ne
cessary to be raised by duties--in the
other, a smaller. would ask my honora-
BILE friend at the head of the Committee on
Manufactures if, in the confidence of their
strength to carry out distribution at all ha-
zards--l will not say strength (which
feels power and forgets right"-but in the
confidence of their numerical force, he
should go on, and laboriously construct
Tariff, on the assumption that the proceeds
Of the public lands are in any and every
event, to be distributed to the States, and it
should at last, be determined that the faith
of the proviso is to be maintained, and that
the proceeds of the public lands should, I'M
der existing circumstances, come into the
National Treasury, would not all his costly
and painful labor have been superfuous and
in vain! Would not, in that case, either
House Of Congress which should have
spent weeks and months in celebrating
upon and adopting such Tariff have done
vain thing, and after SO much time and
labor unprotitably spent, to the great cost
OF the nation, have to do their work again.
If, then. the question SO deliberately settled
by the adjustment of the last session of
Congress, is TO be again opened, now is the
time to meet it; and for one, standing on
the faith Of solemn legislative compact,
and on the principles of immutable Justice
and Of sober public policy, am ready
to meet it, clearly, unequivocally, decidedly.
The principle of the ad ustment, limbo
died in the proviso to the Distribution act,
was one which commended itself to the
good sense, the equity, the patriotism of the
whole nation. The country had long been
agitated by conflicting schemes in regard
to the disposition of the public lands. 1t
was desirable to settle this controversy, if
1t could be done on principles of mutual
justice and safety. Another great contest.
involving interests of the most delarota ,nJ