The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-08-19


est squatters, and his advocacy Of distribution
which led him into opposition TO graduation as a
means OF squeezing from the settler the largest pos
sible amount for the lands, gave 10 the cup which
oherwise might have been sweet aud palatable the
taste such gall and bitterness as TO induce the peo-
Ipe of those States TO turn away with odium and
disgust. Mr.. Clay's course on the public lands
has always lost him the vote OF the new States and
It must and will be the fate Of all those who are UNI
wise and unjust enough TO follow IN his footsteps.
Look through the excitement and debauch which
existed on the surface Of the canvass Of 1870 and
anayze the secret springs which control the actions
of men, and you will find that fact or crcum-
stance had so powerful control over the minds Of
the great masses IN the Mississippi valley in win
ming their affections TO General Harrison that he
had been pioneer himself settler, in the western
sense Of that term, had lived in his log cabin and
had favored all laws which had tended 20 the protee
ton and security Of the squatier. Here was the
consideration which threw confusion into the ranks
of the democratic party This was the lever by
which the wing party raised themselves from
hopeless minority into most unexpected and TIL
umphant majority. The supposed sympathy OF
General Harrison, and the imputed aversion OF Mr.
Van Buren, for the poor man, for the humble citizen
Is the true secret Of the great and tremendous pol
cal revolution Of 1910.
| The graduation Of the price of the public lands
was recommended by the President N ~ annual
message al the commencement Of this aossion This
bill, therefore, is an administration measure; and
whether members are willing 10 consider il a party
question or not, the country will so regard it, and
| In It's defeat the party will receive severe and
most unklnd blow. For twenty years we have
been struggling for the success Of this measure.
Now the hour Is come when the democratic party
expects every maA TO do his duty. The wings
come here in a spirit Of opposition, and we may
expect them 10 oppose every executive measure.
But this should induce the friends Of the President
TO come forward and give those measures which
are right In themselves a cordial support and be-
lieye this bill TO be right-just in principle, and
sound and wise in policy.
But, after the elaborate and satisfactory argu-
ments which have been made by those who have
preceded me in this debate, in support Of this bill,
| shall content myself with concise review Of the
prominent objections to the passage Of this meas
ure, replete with interest to all the nv States.
First, then, il is asserted with great confidence
that we have no power to pass the bill. This OBJ
lection, II well taken and sustained is fatal 10 its
passage. Convince me that this power is wanting,
and, however desirable such a law may he, ]
cease further to press IL. But the constitution is
too distinct and explicit TO leave u pretext TO hang
a doubt upon. Thus It is written in the constr
tuition: The Congress shall have power to
dispose Of and make all needful rules and regula.
tons respecting the territory and other property
Of the United States.n From this language, il is
clear to my mind that II is a duty imposed upon
Congress TO adopt rules and regulations which
will lead to the deposition Of the public lands; and
the manner and means of effecting that object.
But reference is made to the various deeds Of ces
sion from the old States 10 this government,
containing limitations and restrictions upon our
power; and the argument is advanced that these
public lands became a trust to be administered for
the Of all the States, the cedng States included.
Now il must be remembered that the present con-
sttuton was formed and adopted subsequent TO the
cessions Of most of the States and qualification
whatever Is contained in the constitution itself.
And surely it must be an automatic truth that we
can fix prices upon the public lands, and such terms
and conditions in their disposition, in our judg-
ment we shall deem most advisable.
| Mr.. STEPHENS, OF Georgia, here interposed and
said he had not contended that Congress had not
the power to fix the prices Of the public lands, but
that it had no power to cede them away
| Mr.. THoMPsos continued. Then there is not 30
much difference between the gentleman from Geor-
gia and myself. II seems to one deny
our power TO regulate the prices at which the public
lands shall be sold; and now understand that that
point is conceded on all hands. | do not insist upon
cesslon; that provision is not to be found in the
Senate bill, which is now the subject Of discussion,
and which prefer; therefore shall not argue the
power Of cession. | would not thank you for the
cession of your refuse lands to the States; and
hope gentlemen will cease their appeals to the pas
sons Of the old States, that they are soon to be
despoiled Of all interest in the public domain. This
appeal has its influence, and excites the desired pre-
Ijudice. hope gentlemen will dismiss all such APP
prehensions from their minds 1t is no object with
the new States to receive donation Of your lands
which have been in market for thirty years, and
have been offered for sale at twenty five cents per
acre. Instead of vestng these lands in the State,
subscribe with all my heart to the sentiment of the
gentleman from AIab ma, MIR. PAYNE,l to give
them in limited quantities to any one who will settle
upon and improve them. 1t is an abominable
farce to hold up to the old States, that, in this way
the glorious Old Thirteen are to be deprived Of all
interest in the rich inheritance derived from our an
cestors. . ... .f ....'. . .E..# ... ...
| mr. STEPHENS interposed, and asked if ,Missis.
sippi had not received near 100000 acres OF land
and five per cent Of the proceeds Of all the salesf
And what had Georgia received'
! MIR. I. resumed. The exact amount received by
| Mississippi cannot state with accuracy; but this
much do know, that Georgia received every acre
of land lying within her limits And when the
general government extinguished the Indian title to
a large district of country occupied by the Chero-
kees instead of opening her land offices, exacting
high prices from her citizens for her lands she caused
the same to be surveyed, and divided them among
her people by casting lots. When has such kind
ness ever been shown to the people Of mississippi
| No, sir; they have paid their millions into your
treasury for their titles, and the money used for
the payment of the debts Of all the States Of the
Union, Georgia included. BY virtue of our COM
pact Of admission into this Union, Mississippi
agreed to levy tax upon the lands of the general
government lying within her borders, and no tax
|
years after the purchase, condition of the receipt
of thiry-sxh part of all the lands in the State
for the use of schools, and FIVE per cent of all the
proceeds of the sales of her lands. This accounts
for the large amount received by that Stae.
mr. STEPHENS said, there still is your 100000
acres.
| Mr.. Il. Yes, Mr.. Chairman, Mississippi has
also received 500 900 acres Of land for purposes of
internal improvement. But when and how did she
receive them' By virtue of your wing distribution
law of lS42. The gentleman cannot complain of
that because his party threw this gin upon the
State. It was given upon the principle that the
general government owned a large amount of lands
in the State and if the 100000 acres were properly
expended in making improvements, il would fncili-
tate the sale of the residue. mississippi has re-
ceived this amount Of lands, and ! hope they will
be wisely and properly administered.
As for cesson Of the public lands to the respect
i've States in which they lie, gentlemen may make
themselves easy The day and the hour is not yet,
when this great release Of the new States from Ex-
ecutve influence may be anticipated. Nor will It
avs tilI fko innen fairly made. and