The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-22
DEcArUR, January 7, 1916.

TO Me tdlT Of inc Union!
DsAR nRi In the distribution OF the public re-
venue three-fodrths are espsnded IN the old States
and one-fourth in the western Sites, when the
western States furnish two-thirds of the available
means of the whole revenue.
At the time when the thirteen States formed the
cohfedefacy Of the Union each State held the soil
and jurisdiction over the same. The prelude TO the
constitution is as follows: 1--WE the people Of the
United States in order to form more perfect dton,
establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, pro-
vide for the common defence, promote the general
welfare, and secure the blessings Of liberty to our
selves and TO our posleriiy do ordain and establish
this constitution for the United States of America.
IL must he admitted that all laws which do not
embrace the common defence for the general wei
fare, and the establishment OF Justice 10 form q
more perfect union, are not in accordance 10 the
constitution, and liable TO amendment or repeal.
The organization Of the new States, 10y Congress adj
hitting them sister States Withholding the right
of soil and jurisdiction over the same, not expend-
ing fair proportion Of the public revenue for i'm
proyements and the general welfare, Is not conform
able 10 the principles Of justice and equality, on
which was based and framed the constitution which
binds the confederacy Of the Unidu
The government Of the United States claimed the
northwestern territory 10y deed of cession from the
State Of Virginia. Queens, Mary and Elizabeth
granted to the State ofNew York all the lands west
Of the Ohio river extending to the Pacific ocean, in
Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, long previous 10 the
grant of this territory by James III to the Safe
Of Virginia. (See Governor Roots address TO Con-
gress, 1922 What right or claim had Great Brit
ain to the northwestern territory How could she
grant it to Virginia. This country was wilder
ness of sayageS, subjugated by our fathers, who
have bequeaihed tito US their children 1t they
who planted their colonies on the Ohio, the Mus
kingum, Scoto, and Miamies-who built forts and
stockades fought and subdued the Indians, drove
them off The consideration for which the State Of
Virginia coded the northwestern territory now COM
prsing the States OF Ohio Indiana, and Illinois to
the United States-viz: to pay Virginia troops, CONT
mental troops, and the debt created by the revou-
tionary war-has been paid and satisfied The State
Of Illinois has paid into the national treasury IF cen
millions of dollars from sales Of land within her
boundaries which is more than all the Claims the
United States has sgainst her, either for surveys,
purchases, or exlingulshment oflndian title. Then,
why can she not be admitted into the Union on the
principles which formed the con(ederscy OF the
Union'
Why ought not the vacant lands to be coded to her,
or taxed as lands owned by citizens Of the State'
Why are the people Of the State to make roads,
bridges, and improvements TO enhance the value Of
United States lands Why does the United States
hold large public dontain without making improve
ments for the general welfare WHY'S The State Of
Illinois to be provincial or tributary State' The
State Of Kentucky was admitted into the Union
without being required to give up her vacant lands
The State Of Tennessee not required to give up
her vacant lands. Even the State OF Massachu-
sets retained her vacant lands in the formation of
the Union all in accordance with the principles Of
the confederacy. What part or portion of the
lutions passed at the Memphis convention will be
reported on, and bills brought before Congress;
There is one resolution passed this convention-on
a suggestion by the honorable J. c. Calhoun-viz:
to make a ship canal TO connect the waters Of the
Mississippi with those of Lakes Michigan and Erie.
This can be done with comparative small expense
compared to the benefits to be derived by dams and
locks on the Illinois river, making on that river
steamboat or slack-water navigation. Last spring
the food in the Mississippi damned the water
in the Illinois, and set it back far up Boards
town, about half way from the mouth to Peru,
the foo, of the Illinois and Michigan canal. A
few dams and locks would make slack-water
navigation for steamboats,, when not obstruct-
cd by ice, and connect the waters Of the Missis-
sppi with Lake Michigan, and in war could be used
for the national defence. Slack-water navigation on
the Sangamo river, which would not cost $40 900,
il the Illinois is damned, would bring into sale and
cultivation large quantities of land belonging 10 the
United States now valueIess. hope and trust that
the delegation in Congress from the western States
will have public meeting, pass resolutions recon-
mending their legislatures to tax the public lands in
their respective States and that the executive procure
pats and surveys sell the lands, and guarantee the
titles admit of other title by the laws Of the State
and let there be confederacy of western States.
Very respectfully,
Your friend,
PHILO HALE