Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-09-06
WHOLE NUMBER l7O.

were not entitled to the aid of the Federal Gov
ernment. The appropriations for river and har-
Dor improvements contained in acts of Congress
approved during our respective administra tious,
will show the result of that conviction; and 1
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 well
deserving the attention bestowed upon it by the
Chicago Convention of last year. l have not
before me the letter addressed by my lamented
friend, Governor Wright, to that body, but +
was strongly and fayosably impressed blythe,
views he expressed upon the general subject =
she Fiewss9h Ii shayefor many years entcrss.
ft6ihed disfa4sAia--,. &C.,
gress, of the public lands, have been recently set
forth, in my published letter to the Industrial
Congress- They we're
! First. That Congress ought to act upon the
principle, that the United States have a greater
interest in theearly settlement and substantial
improvement Of the public lands, than in the a.
mount of revenue which may be derived from
them.
Secondly. That the accumulation of large
tracts, in few hands, should be discountenanced,
and
Thirdly. That liberal facilities ought to bo
afforded, for the acquisition of small portions, by
such of our citizens, wherever residing are
in good faith desirous of possessing them homes
for themselves and their families. These opinions
were announced as far back as 1885, whilst candi-
date for the Presidency. | set forth also, in my
letter to the Industrial Congress, the recon-
mendations had, whilst President made to Con-
gress and the acts had approved to promote the
policy had avowed. The general principles
have sustained upon the subject of the DISPOSE
tion of the public lands, are in harmony with the
resolution of the convention, with this difference:
that whilst the convention propose free grants of
limited quantities, for actual settlement, the far
therest that had gone, was to recommend grants
of portions of them at prices little if any thing
more than sufficient to defray tNc expenses Of
survey and location. The policy to which hnve
so long adhered, and for the success of which I,
have been sincerely solicitous, makes. the early,
and, as far as practicable, substantial settlement
of the public lands, the principal, and the reve-
nue. derived from the sales of them, secondary,
and comparatively unimportant object.
regard the question of revenue, as only im-
portant, because it affords prospect of securing
regularity; and a'greater degree of stability in
the settlements . If a plan can be devised by
which these objects would, in all reasonable prob
ability, be as well effected, as they be by the
exaction Of a pecunary consideration from the
settlers the REIMBURSEMENT of that consideration
would with me, be no objection to the measure.
FROM report of the committee on pulic lands,
which has lately forwarded to me- it appears that
the sales of the public lands have been pledg-
the past year. If this is so Congress will, with
out doubt if any plan for tn. free gift of any per-
tions ofthe public lands to actual settlers should
hereafter find favor in their eyes, see that the OBJ
lection arising from this cause be, in some prop
er way, obviated. Come what may, the good faith
of the nation must always be scrupulously main
tanned.
My opinions in regard to protective duties and
the best sources of revenue, were very fully Civ
en- in my letter to the Indiana convention in IS43,
which was extensively published: and they are
the same now. on that OCCASION gave my rea-
for regarding the system Of taxation in force
in the states viz direct tax upon assessed prop
erty, as more equal and equitable than system
of duties on imports. | have also my reasons for
believing that duties on imports would for long
time continue to be used as the mode by which the
federal government would collect its revenues in
preference to resort to direct taxation. Altho'
the latter policy is, believe steadily gaining in
the public mind, its advance has not yet been suf
cient to authorize us to expect its early adoption
In the mean time the government must have
revenue for its support, and the very heavy debt
VIII ich it has recently incurred ought to be paid
as oon as practicable. Under these crcumstan-
ce acquiesced in the resolve of the convention
that the means for these purposes should be rais-
ed by revenue tariff.
| have deemed it due to the convention and to
the occasion, to depart thus much firm the rule
which prescribed to myselfin my letter to the
Industrial Congress, in regard to farther expo
sitions of my opinions upon public questions
Having done so, shall for the rest of the canvass
adhere to that rule, and leave the whole matter
in the hands ofthe people, with whose disposition
of it all should be- and certainly will be, salts
ied M. VAN BUREN,
BENJAMIN F. BUTLER,
JosEPn L. WHlre and
SALMON P. CHASE, Esqrs.
Committee of Ruffn1o Convention