The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-02-11

tiso 70 bill csdng the public lands TO the States in
which they lie. used the following language
Il, will DO we also. take another view o. 'as subject
public donAis Let by another estimate what
would cos the Gov. he
acre as be stated ~ cen making for each grant OF
Xud !. i, proposed distribute The public domsn in
ths annef carry our estimate litte further, and
how much would require TO proceed with settle
II would coat give a~as tho unsold portion Of
Wisconsin s6,s21 ,s1s acres, 50 .ss2 oes
iews - ,l loS, a 1OS !. s's Isis
Missouri 2saIS,i7s S.iz7,o5s
scarcely has been sod g. 600 acres. 81 Sss
rhsss arc sufficient .s examples, merely 10 present W
exhibition Of the ehsct OF the principle"
There il not representative in Congress from the
Atlantis States who does not feel that the interest OF
thoss States in the public lands Is IN extreme danger
The numerous bills now before Congress would, IT
passed, grant away least 4O4 millions OF acres The
question with US is how TO arrest It. deemed that
counter demonstration rcm the old States was the best
method and hence introduced some weeks ago. resolu
tons of looking to the policy OF taking the lands
themselves from the control OF Congress beliese
thai serious threat OF this sort from the old States
sm. quantity OF public lands OF value, such Alabama
Tennessee Kentucky, and Ohio have stl the power in
their hands-would bring back brethren OF the West
distribution merely OF the proceeds Of sales would be al
together idle tor the power 10 make partial donations
would still remain. and by improper combinations would
The West has already received upwards OF ~ mil
lions OF % millions OF which were granted by the
last Congress. The North wants tar'h-ihe West the
landa II the temptation proves too strong Tor human
nature and its railtes the South OF course becomes the
victim We all remember how narrowly we escaped a
protective tariff last session. The experiment kp wa. tired
southern wings Ohanks to North Cafolna) coming TO
There are now before Congress two bills. with power.
<.l~ yvhi
interest in the public lands, and third which would
subvsr cherished ideas Of the limitations of the
One Of these bills proposes to cede 10 the organized
States all the public lands lying within their limits
amounting to about 2s4 millions OF acres.
Another proposes give to every actual settler 100
acres AZ the settler the ultimate pur-
chaser there would of be very few sales in future
~ few would buy Of another when land could be had for
Sp II 81 Ss 2, my wau b.
enjoyed almost exclusively by the andless in the West
and by the hundreds OF thousands OF emigrants who
yearly flock TO Our shores
The third bill provides that. in place of the 10th
section in every tow nsnp. now granted 10 public
schools the inhabitants OF that township shall be
Tin quarter sections If they choose) from any OF the
public lands in the State in which they live You
thar township contains SO sections, Of $40 each
This BILL then. coners upon the public schools of the
West oneeightsenlh in quantity of all the public lands
owned by the United States. They amount, as be-
fore stated, about 1884 mons OF acbes; oneegheenh
,
but consequence OF the right OF selection the grant
equivalent 10 at least fifth in value. 253 millions
quantity. My personal knowledge and observation of
the lands in some of the States which have visited
teaches me that selected fourth OF the lands would be
worth than all the rest fourth Of township is
aine sections; two OF these being more than fifth is
proposed to be given by this bill Estimating all the
public lands be worth rs per net, 326
millions Of dollars this bill would confer upon the schools
Of the West more than 65 millions OF dollars This bill
stealing rapidly through Congress when brought
the attention of the House to il by speech and motion,
by way Of amendment, instruct the Committee Pub
lie Lands to which proposed 10 refer W to report
bill granting lands all the schools and colleges the
United States, complaining at the time OF the unequal and
unjust practice OF making partial and sectional donations
and Expressing IN The same speech my decided hostility
the public lands into the treasury This motion OF mine
might have been interpreted by some declaration thai
with the public ands-a power which Congress does not
possess, and the exercise OF which il the object Of
my motion to prevent Nothing is more common in egis
kvs strategy than the killing of bills by amendments
nothing 10 than to endeavor to secure to
ohss Constituents the benefit OF bill BY amendments
apprehension Of i passing. and then voting against the
ball. Now. il were compelled to vote between bill
giving two sections in every township and to the new
btaes alone. and comforting the favor ALL
having regard to population should certainly choose
the latter The result OF the various bills before
Congress- touching the public lands passed, would be
the adoption OF the distribution policy among the
ana ss
bsasfeial eject
You will thus perceive sir. that there is difference
d opnoa between my constituents and myself about the
psneples and policy which should prevail in relation
The public lands. The only question that remains is,
wheeler have acted wisely respecting them. OF this
ny constituents be the judges III have not. and
ny 10 serious TO be pardoned and is which
s6osA bring my head to the block then lie, them chop it
The politician, like the soldier, should enter into the
service uly approaching the dangers that attend it.
Like him. be must the chances OF being shot; those
chances, in each more or eas be Is
lese active. He who himself from false
by making will OF live the longest. II he
insisls participating in the dangers OF the conflict, he
must abide the consequences Of his temeriiy.
trust, sir you will give this letter place in yeur
oolumns You have already perceived that write il tor
ny constituents Of whom you tell me dissatis
fed II that dissatisfaction continues, alter they have
rcd this letter. and il is extensive to endanger the
Of party in April convention OF the demo
cratic party should assemble and select acceptable
eanddais-one against whom there are no objections
- we'll aware 10 not an easy matter to hnd one with
10 hnlts Had j, been, am sure |, with all my sns
would have been chosen But district contains
. number of able and trusty men. any one OF whom
wouA insure . democratic triumph II you have par
tally los me- let not interfere with your judgment
A. tAe oyan OF party and principles you have high
pahc doly perform you will hesitate, hen to urge
ooovemiion, IL such should, in your opinion become
necessary And il il should choose another standard
bsosss shall fail into line with other feeling than
grsnda for past confidence. and think only OF the signal
gsnssosy and forbsarancA which 20 long made my con-
sltaeas blind my feeble claims 10 IT, The only
d ploeuve which my present position has afforded
derived from the belief that wss the choice of my
L. - Akn rk>rnn