Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-07-18

1 Uef such clTcum1tlnrfF,
would distribute their benefits, without departing
from the principles OF just equality, 10 the des-
ent members IL the Union In such state o
things to use the language OF President Jackson, IL
his fourth annual message TO Congress hwoud DC
n the discretion OF Congress to dispose of the pub
lie lands in such way hest To eonduee to tho quiet
harmony, aud general interest OF the American
People" But so long as,heir proceeds are wan,et
for the general purposes Of the nation, there eau ID
| 70 application of them - JUST so equal, 81 proper
ia itself. OF 90 much in harmony with the motives
| and manner OF their acquisition, whetherb 10y eessior
| or by purchase, as to devote them TO "the general
| ehatge aud expenditure" Of the unioe.
| The policy OF Distribution. till lately, MIR Presi
dent, has never been attempted to be sustained OF
advocated On any other principles than these. An
here, SIR, while many aro always found to do ho
mage 10 the living. let render an act OF justice "a
the dead. The first proposition Zoe distribution o
the proceeds Of the public lands among the States
was hrought forward in lS29, by n distinguishes
Representative of Pennsy lyania. nov no more. I
nlludc 20 Mr Stevenson, the Representative Of tho
PitsOutg District, whose merits aro so WE'LL known
to both of the honorable Senators from hat State.
had the honor TO be an humble colleague of that
distinguished gentleman 90 the committee Ia which
his proposition WAS referred, consisting ct Mr. Gal
mer OF Georgia, Mr. Reed OF Massachusetts,, and
ether gentlemen well known here, hut OF which, oil
Course, the Representative OF Pennsylvania was the
chairmsn and It is fit and proper that his sole 10
naming colleague now in the councils OF the nation,
should replace upon his brow the chap pet which
ought justly TO adorn it, far the o.is,nauon OF
great scheme Of public policy corfers distinction
and renown. Though did no, give my assent 10
the measure, as one OF expcdient and oppcttunc !c-
gisatiOn at the time, land is due to the honorable
chairman to say that he himself did not press 1t for
immediate adop,ion.l vet in much of the clear and
torcbc reasoning OF his able and instructive Report,
l concurred, and still concur Let gentlemen look
back 10 that Report, and they i'll fad in it such
startling profession as that tho public lands belong
to the Staiesi On the contrary, they were distinct
" recognised TO be the property Of the Union, great
inancial resource of the nation, aud chief basis Of
its public credit, which, when not wanted for ma
tional purposes, woald be best preserved from dla-
pidation by giving the States an immediate interest
in their proceeds.
have already shown that when, three years at
forwards, the distinguished Senator from Kentucky,
(Mr Clay,) took up the proposition, which had been
brought forward in 1929 by the lamented member
Of the other House from Pennsylvania, he sustain
ed Il upon similar Notwithstanding that the
public lands were no longer needed for the uses OF
tho Nation, aud that the General Government, in
fact, was embarrassed. not by deficits but by sur
plusses. In such state of IN ngs distribution OF
the proceeds OF the public lands among the States
might, naturally enough, find advocates among the
wisesi and soundcst practical Statesmen. II will
DC reeoleeted that MIR Jefferson, in his second In
ausural Address, and in one or two Of his suisse
quent Messages 10 Congress, anticipating a surplu,
| IN the Tieasury beyond the wants Of the General
Government, recommended "reparttion of it
'ihuus lnan, Oy " inc
occasion OF sudden reduction of duties foreign
imports, 10 derange the industrial pursuits, and the
established financial system OF the country. SINH
lar suggestions, in like circumstances, were made in
| several OF the Messages OF General Jackson. Bu:,
! 10 withdraw from the National Treasury the valu-
able resource Of the public domain, at q moment
| OF the deepest embarrassment in the finances, and
the heaviest pressure upon the credit, of the nation,
which we have seen since the close OF the last war,
! would, IN my humble judgment, be act OF suci-
1 a AL oh 4. ~
| party can excuse.
| ask honorable gentlemen if they are prepared
10 sacrifice every thing this insatiabe-I had al
mos, said bloody-ido Of Distribution tout prir,
as The French would call it. Is the necessary sup
port OF the Government the sautary efficiency Of
the puolc service, in all its branches the sanclty OF
the public faith, the honor OF the country Itself in
the eyes of the world all TO be sacrificed rather III an
not carry out iavoriIe party measure which stands
suspended by the law oil its oW creation, and which
cannot now be renewed, but in violation OF the most
| solemn legislative covenant | appeal TO Senator's
who represent the manufacturing interests of the
country on this floor, If they prepared to aecede
| TO n confederacy, the Fundamental condition of
winch Is that the proceeds Of the public lands are 10
rs Kept at all hazards, out OF the public Treasury
and thenthey are to be at liberty impose as high
duties as they please, under color OF supplying a
dehciency IN the Treasury thus arbitrarily and ari
hcIAty created! Let me most respectfully warn
them to beware. IL things are left TO their natural
and proper course, the interests which thew repre
sent will be willingly, ungrudgingy abundantly
| protected. There never mas been period in the
history of the country, which was in itself so fayo-
ra6e 10 the settlement OF this great and delicate
subject upon basis OF sincere good viii, mutual
harmony, and promised stability. The acknov
LEGGED financial wants ofthe Government even with
the aid OF the land fund, call il now admitted on
al hands, Tor large increase OF duties TO supply
TIE necessary revenue. All will cheerfully concur
IN any imposition OF duties necessary for revenue
so long as the Treasury is not despoied of one oil
is legitimate resources; and more will object TO a
Jdst and propsr discrimination in the i'm position of
those culies, regarding, with equal eye, all the
great interests OF American industry and produces
uon' But u you wIluy determine at all hs z ir,ls
70 Keep the proceeds OF the public lands out of the
Na''onsi treasury, that you may force up a pre-
Nrnatura ly high tariff for your peculiar advantage
you viii awaken through the length and breadth Of
we land, spirit which promises any thing rather
t1an stability and repose TO the Interests you would
| thus protect.
Tie elements, for the permanen, adjustment OF
thS great question: lie so markedly before u.s. that il
seems wonderful that they are MT instantly &c ed
, and combined by every intellect. Let The land
fund come at once into the National Treasury as II
must do Al the faith Of existing legislation he oh.
served, and let II DO set apart exclusively as fund
Tor the eNtInSuishment of the public debi Let the
duties be adjusted, with view 10 meet The current
demands oil the public service Alone and not tbe
whole aggregate charge Of the Government consist.
lns OF both debt and current expenditure The lat
tf would necessarily be the case, II the land fund
were now surrendered 10 the States; and the conse
quenee would be, that soon as tho debt was d,
ehafgtd, reduction OF duties would be called for
exposing the interests which may have grown IN
under them, 10 oil the evils of n v1cating and m
stable legislation. On the other hand, the land
iund, being excusiyeiy devoted 10 the exlinguish
i lnent OF the public debt, might, when i, had per
formed that office, be properly made the subject of
| "reparttion among the Sare.," according TO the
suggestion Of Mr. Jefferson; and thus the system Of
imposis, Involving so vitality the interests Of private
industry, and the employment and distribution OF
Tho national capital would be kept stable and uni.
form in it, operation.
IA last resort in argument we nre sometimes
o'd that the States nfo heavily indebted, and that
ihey must have the land money TO pay Their debts
'nI the States have their own domestic nlnninisirn-
tons 10 take care Of their interests and TO prorde
for Their necessities. They are competent to do 40.
and will, firmly believe iriumphanly sus,iin their
credit, md the honor Of the American name They
will follow the example Of noble Pennsylvania, the
most embarrassed Of them NIL and instead Of yainlv
praying 10 Hercules 10 deliver them, they will man
iully pat their own shoulders 10 the wheel. Whnt
authority have VIC 10 pay the debts Of the States
even II VIC had the mcans7 Have our constituents
or the Constitution Of tbs country, given US nny
warrant 20 DO so7 The indebted States themselves
are TOO proud and too just TO ask il. The highest
and most honorable service We can render them il 10
abstain from pressing upon their resources ~ unre-
e@slry taxation, and TO uphold the national credit
which Is the chief support Of THERE, by a faithful
and vigorous npp'icstion Of oil our means 10 extri
cate tue finances Of the nation ON the deen srnbnr
rassmcnt end drgrace which have unhsppily fallen
upon them.
would respectfully suggest, FOR the Consideration
Of the honorable chairman Of tho Committee Of VI