Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1843-02-16

prodlsalisyg and exuaydgance, should ineress;
the power ri prpdigality and exHafagance scars
entirely above an col preheusion y This Is e
sher captors eayiIiag on The part of Mechanic
q MS mental faculties are suffering uider STATE
u COLLAPSE, The seatof vitality n this sp'
yernmenl Il theIiaxiug power Of The government
but give 70 the government, in addition t. thls
power df ssIauan. he p6Gsl.fo distribute back
amcng the States. (aad th4lgh the fu1ds are
each year viihdEswasl yon increase the rowef'9
fou make The goyefnmedf extTavagant and pro-
rdlgal Of The means designed designed only far "a
sePPprt Of gsvernsHert, ID word. you create
gland consolidated goyernmehl--" the meaneSi
aud lowest Of all conselida:ions--a mohied iDz
ssFest aud a1monied power united, which IS more
10 Be fearedthan Eastern Bespoiism.
These lands, Gays Alechsnic, were ceaed 80
Chngress for the common use and bepeW ~ all
abe States, sad pledged for The paymeht.nf the
revolutionary deb.- This pledge has long since
been redeemed Now to whom d0H these lands
belong' Far whose benefit are lfheY held s''--rr
Let US for the sake Of argument suppose, that
these lands were coded for the single purpose
ottparing the revolutionary debt, and inst they
have paid it+-neither Of which isahe faet-for
whose benefit are they held ! Why, unquestiOn-
sbiy, for the States that made the cession.--I
There is resulting trust, for the benefit Of
the graBtors+-lhey and they slore ifthis pledge
has been Tedeemed, are entitled 10 the distribu-
table funds, 50 far as il arises-from the ceded
lsEds. But The distribution law moi only gives
this land, buKa!sothe lands purchased by tho
General Government, 10 all the States and Ter
ritories, and the District Of Columbia es well
70 those( States which have made no cession, as
TO those which have. This argument OF Mecha-
ME, resting Ga false premises, instead or sus-
tanning his view. proves most hostile to il. The
distribution act is unwarranfed, even by the
principles of those who claim the right to dis
tribute under The deeds Of cession. "Iiow ac-
cepiable would this fund be at this time to all
ths States and especially 10 those that ore over
wkelmed with debt. stIov aeceptable"-no-
thing an be acceptable tina. is not a benefit -
CaH1any benefit or pecuniary prjftaccrueto the
States ey theIdi.tributIon OF The proceeds Of Inc
sales OF The public lands among the Ststes,.
whilst1ihe Federal Treasury is in deficient and
Impoverished conditioni saySpo; | should
like TO see table Of what each STATE would re-
celte OF the tive millions, accompanied with
table OF what each State mad to contribute 10
taxes, IN order 10 make up the sum disirfAated
! tbnk il would then appear, that Virginia. for
instarce, must pay two dollars 10 taxes for ey-
cry dollar shetfeceiyes Id distribution. Nor inA>
depeLdently Of this, can the distribution as SUCH
Of The salss Of the public lands be Of essential
service to apyIof the indebted States For The
amount 10 be received by each, is solinconsider-
able, that il the Stale Of Virginia, that ceded
the largest poF.ion pf these lands, and Is now
rsjeeting This proHered bride. as furnishing her
high charscieT and independence, cannot pro.
vide the means TO pay her debts without This
piltance,. she cannot do Il with H. And
now, Messrs. Editors, permit me 10 say, that
my apology, for this long communication, is 10
be found 10 The necessity or reflting the many
uDfounded objections which were raised by Me-
chanic, 70 The preamble and resolutions.
ONE OF THE COMMITTEE.