Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1843-03-16


this man. One of The Committee. knows per-
ieetly well that the question before Congress
wqs not whether Bankrupt bill should pass or
not, Tor both parties were or seemed 10 beIequal-
y united IN that determinaiion but whether
the bill originated BY Mr.. Senator Wall called
the Democratic bili, or the other bill, called the
Wing bin, should pass. This was the question.
Now the Democratic bill contsined every single
provision Of the present bill. objected to IS I'M
constitutional; and Col Benton advocated that
bill expressly upon The ground that il looked to
he past as well as the future that il relieved
snall debtors as well as large ones, whom he
chose 70 call Dashers. And more than that,
the Democratic bill proposed to include 10 is
vortex, Banks incorporated BY the States; to
rest the jurisdiction ofthe States from the ne
|esssary con,rol over their own Institutions, and
g subject them 10 the Jurisdiction of Federal
tribunal. And yet this was Tie bill advocated
py the Democrats In Congress. Now, in the
name OF every thing that Is even decent, with
what countenance can democracy charge this as
an odious Wing measure, what eonsummaie
hypocrisy does il not require 10 do this thing
II IS really disagreeable 10 have even politi-
cal discussion with any man who seems 10 put
at utter defiance all restraint. And itsis truly
disgusting 10 have any thing to do with these
chtmelion eolored. Janus facad politicians.
. ! wiltnov ray but few words upon the dis
tribution Of the proceeds OF the Public Lands 80
And IN the first place, will respectfully ask
One OF the Committee if he does not know per-
fectly well that law infinitely more objection
able, according to his present opinions, did pass
during Gen. Jackson's administration. | mean
the Deposite law, by which not only the pro-
ceeds of the sales Of the Public Lands but The
actual revenue (taxes IL he pleases) arising
from all sources, were distributed amongst the
States, amounting, think, 10 about thirty mil
lions OF dollars. This was done when 1t was
openly avowed and known.that NOT one cent of
this money would ever be received or even
arked for from the States.
II was known that Cen jackson would not
approve law of distribution BY that name. and
yet, when he had an overwhelming majorily in
Congress, a law wss passed and approved BY
him ordering the distribution ofIabout thirty
millions Of dollars, tunderthe false and fraudu-
lent name OF The deposite law. When we ad-
minister pbysic 70 children, We guild it over
with candy, and this law was guided over with
false and fraudulent name or title, and was
swallowed by Gen. Jackson. And this trick
was played By the Democrats in Congress.
will take the liberty Of asking another question.
Did not Mt Ritch1e, who is certainly the patron
saint OF Virgini4 Democracy, (sir, we are told
that new county has been named after him. j
when Gen. Jackson's Secretary first pronosed
the plan ofdistributing tie proceeds Of The Pub
lie Lapd, exult with ecstacy at the prospectf
Did he not exclaimin the ecstaey Of his ioy--
What could not old Virginia do with eight hun
dred thousand dollars year1 How. many ofl
her degraded population might she not transport
70 the shores Of Africa'' And did not all the
Democracy unite with him on lHat subjecti-
And did you not all turn round as soon as you
found that this subject had been referred 10 The
Committee Of the Senate OF which Henry Clay
vas Chairman, and he was likely 10 carry il
through trnpphalily, .Esppaiats and d. reisct.il,
sudden change, your fear that Mr. Clay should
hsye the honor Of so popular and beuefcent a
measured Hold up your hand, aud answer yea
or nay! These "Reminiscences are not agreeable
TO me. andlo you they must be gall and bitter
ness. The fatal error OF One of the Committee
on this subject, is that he conceyes the proceeds
Of the public lands 10 be revonue taxes. They
are not so in any fair sense Of the word If be
could get rid Of that delusion, be would change
his opinion at once. When a man sells his
land and receives the money, does he call that
revenuei il Is still more ridiculous 10 call il
taxes. He confounds separate things together.
These landswere our original Inheritance
They are RENTED back to our former estate, and
can compare the course proposed BY .One OF
the Committed Of encroaching annually upon
the capital OF this Inheritance, and using these
proceeds for our daily expences, TO nothing but
the conduct Of a spendthFift heir, who comes TO
the possession Of an immense landed estate, and
sells off aportion Of il every year to supply bis
wastefuI Expenditures course that neverIfails
to bring him 10 ruin. Much more, very much
more, could be said upon this subject, but.I am
sensible hsye carried this article 10 most IN
reasonable length.
And now, Messrs Editors. .one OF the Com
mittee' and Mechanic have had hard. but a fair
shake, know / have avoided personalities
and | hope have not descended to the yulgar-
ty Of abrupt contradiction. leave that to zone
OF The Committee ! am willing to close this
discussion, buff '0ne Of The Committed wishes
to renew it and should write an article which,
in my judgment, requires reply. will say to
him
s.Lay-on McDuff, and Did be The man
Whofrst cries, hold enough ~
MECHANIC.