Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1843-03-30
WING ADDRESS.
T0THE People OF VIRGINIA
[C0nlinnsd non o,Ir la,l.l

The policy OF distributing The proceed,
Of The public lands among the STATES. &C.
lcording 10 some equitable iproportion wa.
not originally and ought now,to be made
party question. Its propriety and me
cessriy are recommended by too manv
important considerations, deeply affecting
the Interests Of the States and Of The peo:
pie, ever to admit Of i'll being preiudiced
o. the asPeriIy ofmere party controversy.
4 lsioo universal and Pervadlng inits be-
nehceEt effects and Consequences thus 10
oe considered and carried Tor LOST ard we
protest against il. Butif our adVetsaries
insist on making an issue with us d upon
'ls merits, 10 be tried before the ueople.
we confidently acceptthe condition. and
most gladly enter the lists as its champi-
ons, happy to be advocates Of SO Iust d
cause; and yet willing, even preferrine,
that the sole credit Of lis support should
mol be left to rs, but should be shared by
benefits 10 tee people De FIOstPorrs !. + -
gle day. As they. however, contemptu-
ously sparn lis support aud make fierce
W ar upon it, we cheerfully assume there
sponsibiIiiy, and neetfthem in the field,
with profound conFiclion Of it's para.
mount magnitude, and an abiding conf
dence 10 It's ultimate success.
/; is objected tothis great measure that
il is unconstitutional 1t is amazing that
intelligent and impartial men should en-
terrain this opinion, or find any room even
for doubt. OF the public lands pf The
United States. large portions were acqur
red by cessions Of individual StatesNo The
United States. and the residue (the vast
dom ains OF Louisiana and Plorida) Ply pur-
chase under treaties with France and
SPAN. since the adoption Of the present
fed5ral constitutions
With respect TO the lands go acquired
by.tresty--tt1e consiilution explicitly pro.
yides, that the Congress shall have pow,
er % dispose Of, and make all needful rules
and req ulations respecting The territory or
ofher property belonging 10 the United
Sta.ss.n Congress. then, has a righJuI
poUer 10 dispose Of these lands, unless III:
deed il can be maintained (which will
hardly be- pre.ended) that they are beld
by no constitutional tenure whateyer.
Congress has, accordingly, in repested
instances. exercised the power Of dispos-
ing Of these public lands at discretion
Among a very large number Of dispose
tions, the public will recollect, With plea
sure and gratitude, the grant OF land II
FIoridaAo Gen, Lafaye cite. Wasthat gran
4 demonstrations and therefore void, MAJ
il be reyokeds Or will il be gravell
contended. that Congress may rightfull,
dispose OF the lands themselves. but can
not dispose Of the proceeds 81 lhessale
thems that Congress may give the lands
Tor the proceeds, 10 ineiyidBals. but can
moi distribute them among the States:
III Under the same delegation Of power 7
, The constitution, Congress has exercise
Eihe power Of disposing ofthe lands acqulI
ed by the cessions Of the Slates 'and
seet 1s wonderful that the constitutions
power 10 make such disposition should b
{ questioned at this lale duyi and tontFoo
verified with such apparent sincerity an
perlinacitv, when We look back TO- the &C
! lion Of Congress upon the subjecs, iron
J lthe foundation OF the government. and
1.-THE opinions Of our Presidents and mo-
d;s,;aguished s,atesmen of both snd Of .
ps,,ies in reference toit. We perceive
;, by examinipg The laws Of The Unite
/. States. that al most inn Vulnerable grants az
e appropriations OF the public lands 70 diffe
n entindisidusls, private and corporate, a.
for divers objects. have been made tIo
81 time 10 time. and the power 10 DO so ne
er for moment disputed. But not on
III has Congress the constitutional poorer
r. make such disposition i is bound
"a eompacf 10 give the .bene6: of The Ian
u (which the Tinted States acquired BY c.
3 sions from individosl States. mol 10 I
Estates which cededihem. but 10 raleal
lnroDofiions 10 all The States OF the Unle
r,4 The Supreme Court Of The United Sta
Be decided ii tbe case 81 Jackson u Clal
Is PEERS p. 62S. = thai the General g
=! IN eminent received this territory IN tr
81 4. for fls use and benefit 81 The nerbers
81 ithe CchFedersey'f Aud Gen. jack
die his message % Congress. IN Decem
als 1882. said-"H seems 10 me 70 be
true policy that the public lands q
y il +