Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1848-02-15

"Ihe other shape,
If shape it mghtb called, that shape had none.
| DiStlngushable IN member, joint, OF limb:
Or substance might be called, that shadow seemed
What seemed mis- head,
The likeness of kingly crown had nnn
This, sir, was the likeness of distribu.
ton, with its shadowy and conditional CD.
Grafton to dispense the proceeds of the
sales ofthe public lands among The States,
when erevenue from imports, taxed at a
certain maximum rate OF duties. should
prove sufficient to support the government.
This measure was Objectionable on many
accounts. 1t was Objectionable, because
IFS tendency was to perpetuate land sys.
tenn which has, already drawn more than
$ln0,000,000 from the infant communi.
ties ofthe west and southwest, as the price
of the homes they have found lie the will
derness, and dignity by their courage and
patriotism; which has drawn from Illinois
alone more than SIC, 200, 900, and which,
aggravated by distribution, would tend TO
degrade the States to the character of
mendieants at the throne offederal power,
by the hope of receiving periodical aims.
Distribution, sir, is the entering wedge of
a high restrictive tariff. which must tax
the people of the new States unequally as
consumers, TO buy more and more lands,
to be sold chiefly to themselves at an ad.
vanced price. in order that the proceeds
thereof may be distributed among all the
States; and for these, and other reasons,
unnecessary here to be mentioned, the
ri LIST ih,Ifio III
Yes, sir, distribution was not only re.
pealed, but Mr.. Polk and the Secretary of
the Treasury, Mr.. Walker, cogently rec
commended the antagonistical democratic
measure of the graduation and reduction
of the price of the public lands to settlers
and cultivators. They recommended this
measure, and |, as a member ofthe Com.
mittee on Public Lands, had the honor OF
bringing il in Legislative form before
This House. And what was the result
1t was strenuousiy opposed by the whole
federal phalanx; particularly by the gen.
tleman from Vermont, Mr.. CoLIAmER,l
whose abilities now grace the head of the
land committee--by the distinguished
gentleman from Ohio, EMr. VINToN who
has been promoted to be chairman Of the
Committee OF Ways and Means-and by
the eloquent gentleman from Georgia,
Mr.. STEPHENS. with with whom | have
the hon + TO be associated on the land
committee, and hope not without the
/ prospect OF moving his bowels to compass
sion for the meritorious but much abused
class of pioneers and settlers. 1t was
thus opposed ; yet, sir, after one of the
most tremendous struggles which ever oc
CURED in Congress, ii was passed by this
House, and afterwards by The Senate, with
modification, which causedit ito be lost some
| tor the want Of time for its further consid
Grafton. i
1t is TO be regretted, sir. that so impor.
tant measure, should have heen lost
! It's enactment into the force Of law wo'd
have been attenGed with the most bene-
fetal consequences. 1t would have re
duced and graduated the prices of the pub
lie lands according to their actual value,
and thus strengthened the liberties of the
country by increasing the number Of in
dependent treehoIders. 1t would have
increased our agricultural surplus. am
thereby our national wealth, By extending
the area of agricultural labor. 1t wouIe
have fastened the period for looping off q
cumbrOus and expensive branch of fedora
patronage. 1t would have secured to the
government fair equivalent for the pub
lie lands. In fine, it would have crowned
the labors of a democratic administration
with complete success. Lost, however
as the measure was. it is still the merit al
democratic President and Congress thai
its principle was, for the first time, con-
currently approved, under their auspices
by two departments of the government.
4 But, sir, as glorious as are these results
another equally, if not more glorious. re
ton of the Country, and its labor and in
terests, from the shackles of a restrictive
and oppressive tariff. As Jefferson hao
contributed to redeem the country from
the despotism of the alien and seditior
laws-as Jackson, with bold hand, haC
struck down that harlot Of lniquity, the
United States Bank-as Van Buren, baC
released the government from corrupt
ing conneXion with State banks, and pols
ed it upon its own self acting and self
preserving powers, under the constitution
so President Polk, emu!ating these grea
examples. has contributed powerfully. by
his well.dirccted and persevering etfurts
to relieve the country from the biighting
f system Of commercial restrictions. Tn,
oppressive and unjust tariff of 1912 enact
edAy federal Congress, was in full OPP
/ Grafton when Mr.. Polk came to the presi
dency; and. like all other enactment!
founded in the interests of favored classes
was strong in its very principle of ext lu
sion. Five hundred thousand manufac
turers. with all their influence Of capital
business, and association, sustained
] with the unity of common interest AM
the acfivifv nf one will Clad in n,,rnL