Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-10-18

articles, is, in effect, divided between the for
eign producer and the consumer and, in the
next place, that so far as the consumers pay the
additional duty, their ability generally, TO do
so, is increased by the tariff itself, in its inllu-
enoe on the industry Of the country. This is
shown, among other ways, by augmented rev.
enue, under a decidedly protective tariff. as
illustrated in the operation Of the tariff of 1912.
An increased consumption, generally, though
not always, proves an increased ability TO pur.
chase dutiablc commodities /; and this cores
ponds with the great tariff theory, that protec-
ton gives the impulse Of increased reward, and
stealiness of employment, 10 all branches OF
domestic industry
All that part or the public domain which lies
within the original limits OF the United States
is holden by them strictly in trust for the ben.
eft of the several states. Distribution, so far
as regards this portion of the public lands,
would be but simple execution of the trust
created in the deeds OF cesson TO the United
Slates-a trust which, if the parties were sub
ecl to chancery jurisdiction, might be enforced
npon the common principles applicable 10 trust
estates. And although the claim for dstri
button Of the proceeds of the lands since acquir-
ed, rests upon grounds of expediencv only, and
not of strict right, yet that expedlency is not
less Gear than is the right under the trust re-
ierred 10.
Distribution is expedent, in the first place,
because of lis effect upon prolection-plevent.
ing, as il will, the income from the public lands
from pernicious interference with the proec-
tive policy, by leaving the whole Of the needed
revenue 10 be drawn exclusively from impost
duties. And this constitutes another striking
ground of difference between the genuine and
spurious friends Of protection.
Distribution is expedient, also, because the
proceeds Of the national domain. are. thereby
brought nearer TO the people, who can, through
their immediate representatives in the State leg
islatures, mere wisely and bcnehcially arpro-
pirate them TO purposes of needed improvement
Since the alresling OF the policy Of internal i'm
provement. by the national government, effect
cd by the Haysville veto distribution has be-
come the only means by which the avails of
! the public lands can be made 10 accomplish
tina, important purpose. Aud if the fund can
be thus appropriated, through distribution 10
the State, the arresting Of the policy, BY the
veto referred 10, may not, perhaps, be a sub
itot of regret since the object can, probably, be
better compishcd through State, than Nation.
al administration. But TO stop the national APP.
preparation of the fund.- for purposes OF i'm.
ptovement and at the same time, withhold ii
| from the States, is TO abandon the object alto
gether, and thus forego the great national ad-
vantages which this fund, from It's permanent
character as well as from its large amount, is
peculiarly adopted 10 secure.
This fund may, moreover, under the state
administration, he made 10 reach one object of
improvement, which il would, probably, never
reach in the hands of the general government;
| i mean the object OF educatlon-an object
of more Importance TO ibis nation than all 9th.
er objects combined, to which the fund can
possibly be appropriated. II is thus that the
great domain may be made 10 reach, and purify
the fountains of thought and feeling among the
masses, upon whom rest, and must always rest,
whilst our institutions are republican. the gov
eminent OF this nation and whose moral and
intellectual character will shape lis desinies,
trough hew them as we will,'' by the most
carefully matured schemes of national policy.
If we would make this 4 truly great nation,
we must give activity and vlgor to the ele-
ments OF greatness in the heats and minds of
lis people. These elements must be brought
out-iheir capacities fully developed, and Their
energies rightly directed. And here are the
means Of doing it. furnished to onr hands. Let
the ration either use them, or place them where
they may be used, for this great purpose, and
thus render the beneficial effects of the appro
VlldlIol VI tuc Hdtipllhi ubHdiI, rs spIIu anu
enduring as the domain itself. |, is thus, in
the RICH, use of the means for national i'm
provemcnt which God has given us, that he
will bless us-wil make us a great and goot
nation ,1and unable US to accom- llsh the end:
of His Providence in giving us nationa. en-
istence.
There is another question of great and over
waelming interest which recent events have
forced upon our attention. By sudden an,
unexpected turn of party policy, we are called
, on 10 decide the momentous question, whethe
foreign nation shall be annexed to, and be
, come part of this confederacy. As this is
question in which the States as members OF TIT
Union. have special interest, and upon whicl
they may, and ought, Immediately, to expires
their opinions, through their respective legis
Ia,ures, ii will no, be deemed. in any sense
foreign 10 my duty, to bring the sub ect 10 you
notice, and urge it upon your special aten
? ton.
/ Vermont came into union whose bond wa
! a written constitution, granting TO lis govern
ment certain specified powers. No question i
regard to the powers conferred by that con>t
: tuition, can be OF greater importance than tina
: which relates to the membership of the confel
; eracy. The extent TO which new members ma
1 be admitted, involves question vital 20 til
Z Union. violation oil Inc constitution on III
= pon, reaches far beyond a question of mer
o administration OF government II strikes at tn
z existence OF the government itself An una,
i thorized admission OF new state, is nohin
II less than an attempt TO make new coniedera
= cy. This cannot, of course, be done, wilho'
- a destruction Of the old without an eXerci>
). of power by the existing government, equiv;
l. lent to suicide.
: Such is the proposition for the annexation {
e Texas to this Union--involving question
IS much more importance than whether the teri
e tory to be added shall form one or five states,
o whether they shall all be slave or all free stat
il or equally divided between these opposite an
C rreconcileable elements of power. 1t is que
e ton whether, by an act OF arbitrary powc
Vermont shall be forced, without her conser
10 into federal union with state or states, n
&c admissible by the compact into which she HI
n. entered. 1t is as though a ma jorty Of the mel
it. beers of an ordinary partnership were TO atlem
ne to force a member into the concern without Il
as common consent-compeIing the dissatisf
member or members 10 subject the whole bu
y ness and destiny of the establishment TO i