Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-09-08

a Ulll luI we d1OlltlOn VI SldNtly Nv NIo US
trict. could not now give any such assur-
ancc, for the reason. that the circumstances
by which the question is now surrounded,
are widely and materially different from what
they were when the declaration was made;
and because, upon a question OF expedlency,
circumstances must control. At that time
the apprehension was honestly entertained,
that there was danger of a %servile war, in con-
sequence of the extent to which the agitation
of The question had been pressed.
Participating in this apprehension and be-
lievinr that such a declaration, in advance of
any action Of Congress upon the subject.
would have a %saIutdry influence in allaying
excitement. and w%arding off the danger which
menaced the peace of the slave holding states,
| did not hesitate TO make it. Whilst, on the
one hand, all grounds for this apprehension
have passed away, we are, on the other,
threatened with a subversion of the spirit and
character of our government, through the
successful encroachmeuts of the slave power.
1t. under such circumstances, two branches
of the national Legislature should decide that
a due regard for the public interest requires
the passage of such a law | should not, it
President. think it within the line of my duty
to arrest its passage by the exercise Of the
veto power.
Among the difficult subjects that occupied
the attention Of my illustrious predecessor,
whilst was a member of his cabinet, and Of
myself whilst President, that of river and
harbor improvements by the aid of the fed
eral government, occupied a prominent posi-
ton.
Whilst the conviction was very gener-
al with ourselves and others, that n large
class of them was deserving Of aid from
that quarter. and that it could be extend
ed TO them without exceeding The pres
cribod powers of the government. all
were strongly impressed ~wilhadecp sense
of the liabilities TO abuse TO which the
legislation Of Congress upon the subject
was unavoidably exposed. The matter
was one of frequent and earnest confer
ence between President Jackson and my
self. during the first two years OF his first,
and the whole of his last term. The re-
suit was Il conviction that no better course
could be adopted than TO approve such
bills as we were satisfied camc within the
class referred 10, and DO all that could
be righlfully done by the Executive, 10
, prevent abuses by appropriations for OBJ
lCClS lllbl NClG NV ClltIAlCh W hhO uiu W
the Federal Government.
The appropriations for river and har-
Dor improvements contained in acts Of
Congress approved during our respective
administrations, will show the results oil
that conviction; and | know Of nothing
that would prevent me from pursuing the
same course if | should again occupy the
office of President.
The subject is one of vast importance,
and we'll deserving The attention bestow-
ed upon it by the Chicago Convention of
last year. | have not before me the let
ter addressed by my lamented friend,
Governor Wright, 10 that body, but was
strongly and favorably impressed by the
views he expressed upon the general
subject.
The views which | have for many
wears entertained IN regard TO the best
disposition by Congress, Of the public
lands. have been recently sci forth, in my
published letter to the industrial Con-
g~rcss." They were
First. That Congress ought TO act upon
the principle. that the United States have
a greater interest in the early settlement
and substantial improvement of the pub
lie lands, than in the amount of revenue
which may be derived from them.
=, Secondly. That the accumulation Of
/ large tracts, in few hands, should be dis
5 |counlenanced, and
Thirdly. That liberal facilities ought
TO be afforded. for the acquisition of small
: portions, by such OF our citizens, wherev.
err residing, as are in good faith, DESTROYS
a Of possessing them as homes for them
selves and their families. These opin.
/, ions were announced as far back us 1885
o whilst a candidate for the Presidency.
It set forth, also, IN my letter to the Indus
v trial Congress, the recommendations
had, whilst President, made 10 Congress
and the acts | had approved to promote
the policy | had avowed. The genera
e principles | have sustained upon the sub
'e iect Of the disposition of the public lands
d are in harmony with the resolution of Iii,
N convention, with this difference; tina
~ whilst the convention, propose free grant
~ oflimited quantities, for actual settlement
at the iarlhest that | had gone, was to rec
,e ommcnd grants of portions of them, a
~ prices litIo, if any thing, more than sui
be icient 10 deiray the expense of surve
H. and location. The policy to which
4. have so long adhered, and for the sue
cess of which | have been sincerely so
i%citous, makes the carly, and, as far t
ISL practicable. substantial settlement of til
ITO public lands, the principal, and the revC
m nue. derived from the sales of them.
an secondary, and comparatively unimpo
he tant object.
VI | regard the question Of revenue,
3D. only important, because it affords a pro
On pect of securing regularity, and a great'
nv degree of stability in the settlements.