The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-09-19

Notifications, constructed and kept up at such
an immense expense, and 50 entirely useless in
time of peace; but to the nervous arms of
our fellowcitizens of the interior. Let us be
taught by the wisdom of the world, that as the
naval power of a nation may be made to con-
duct its commerce, so the internal improve
ments of a country may defend its coasts.
But we again avail ourselves of this occasion
10 invoke the attention of the South to this
method of participating in the advantages of the
Union. This bill, granting lands for the CON
structlon of railroads, is an ''entering wedge''-
one which will rive the national domain into
vast fragments, to be employed in the construc-
ton of internal Improvements in the nc,c States.
1t has been stated that the public lands asked
for at the present session alone for this purpose
amount to fifty millions of acres-not one acre
of which is asked for by the old States The
inevitable destiny of the public domain is
rapid and indiscriminate distribution In add-
ton to the bills referred to, the Bounty Land
BILL the Swamp Drainage bill, applications for
Schools, Insane Asyums, will all have to be
satisfied. All resort to this common property.
Like some vast wreck that has drfled ashore,
the public domain is plundered by all that can
lift hand. 1t cannot last long, before pradua-
ton and gratuitous grants to settlers will absorb
it entirely
In the opinion of western Senator, every
thing portends partial distribution of the lands:
"We have large amount of public lands-in
my judgment, of little or no value to the ma
tion-scarcely, have no doubt, defraying its
own expenses If they are not to be appro-
prlated by awarding benefits to those who have
served the country in military point OF view,
they are to be appropriated, as we see from
proofs of the policy of the country, for the con-
structlon of works of public improvement, and
partial in their character-to be appropriated to
works Of improvement in those States where
the lands are situated"
We again ask the Southern States, will they
still refuse to accept any part of this birlhright,
thus about to be torn from them forever; or will
they, with the policy of the Virginia and South
Carolina schools of Democracy, resist any at
tempt to secure for themselves portion of their
own? We would commend to the attention of
the friends ofinternal improvement of the South
the excellent speech of the Chairman of Public
Lands, upon the bill granting lands to the Pacific
railroad. 1t is speech replete with practical
information. Mr.. BowLIN is Democrat who
illustrates the difference between Northern and
Southern Democracy. He is Democrat in ia
vor Of the progress and improvement of his
country--he is Democrat like Mr.. WALKER,
of Wisconsin, who does not propose to assert
the rights Of his section of country, ''by arms,
but in the constitutional mode--by her votes'
These Northern Democrats protect their rights
with the census. The Southern Democrats de-
fend theirs-by convention.
But as Southern Democrats object to any
participation in the lands because it is uncon-
stitutional, let them hear what this practical
Western Democrat says upon the subject of the
constitutional power of the Federal Government
to appropriate public lands to any purpose
whatsoever. We adopt his argument, as plain
ly unanswerable:
" Another objection to these grants with some,
was, as they allege, the want of constitutional
power in Congress TO make donations, as they call
them, of the public lands; but which call any
thing but donations. But even if they were what
they assume them to be, have been unable to dis
cover the difficulty, for if there IL provision in
the Constitution that is perfectly clear and de-
finite, 1t is that provision giving Congress full
power the disposal of the public lands under
the title of territory other public property.
The power to dispose of, and make all needful
rules and regulations respecting, the territory
other property of the United States, is given to
Congress, without any limitation or restriction,
and clearly intended to be left solely to their
sound discretion and patriotism. And whilst il
nj 9TH he an aCt NJ had fail for h
lessly to squander the public lands upon improper
objects, looking nothing to the improvement of
the great fund intrustcd to their care, yet that
would argue nothing against the power TO do 30.
And Congress has constantly and uniformly er-
crcsed the power to give away the public lands.
They give them for asylums Of various kinds;
they give them TO endow schools and colleges;
they give them frequently to individuals for meri
torious conduct; they give them to soldiers. long
after they have been legally paid for their
vices. None Of these debts against the Gov
eminent, but in every instance it is pure naked
donation-not even assuming the disguise of any
other pretence. do not believe it Is just or
proper use of the fund to be donating 20 n----
without any Interior object looking to b
results upon the fund itselfj but that argu
ing against the power"
We will only add, that if it increase tn ,uo
OF tue pubic 10 COUSIuCl lHpTON .tl .
through them, what will be lis effects a
meet the public domain with the seaports Cd
countryl The Mobile railroad may
thousands of European immigrants; the.
pass by carloads far into the interior; the
go direct, without transhipment, to the
domain in the interior Of Alabama, Missii
Illinois, or Ohio; they will improve the
domain, produce hemp, grain, hogs;
will send them back to the port Of Mobi., -.
expectation. Their commerce will enrich their
country and give additional value to the public
domain. Is not then an outlet to the Atlantic
of as much importance to the value Of the ma
tional domain as right Of way through it7 Is
it not as constitutional to contribute TO the con-
structon of the outlet, as TO grant the right of
way7 People Of the South, discard the alb
stractions which brood over the energies Of