Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-08-22
RICHARD H. WARDEN.
OUR AGENTS:
The River Grant.

N The River Grant.
In last weeks paper We published the
letter Of Secretary STUART in relation TO
the extent Of the River Grant. The
news was very unexpected and unwel-
come to us; and viii no doub, be SO to
our readers. who are deeply interested
in the improvement 81 the River.
The Board have, however, entered in
10 contract with Messrs. Bangs Broth
ers d Co., of New York, 10 complete
the Improvement as far up as Keosau-
qua, certain; and 10 Fl. Des MONIES.
provided the State succeeds in procuring
the lands above the Raccoon Fork. In
the mean time, they have referred the
matter TO the President for his action.
and have strong hopes Of : favorable de-
cision.
We are aware that great conflict OF
opinion exists among legal men as to the
true intent and meaning Of the law, ow-
ing to the ambiguous language in which
it il couched. Attorney General john
son and several other able jurists have
decided in favor of the Grant extending
to the State line: while other eminent
men have decided that il only extends to
~
the Raccoon Fork. Which of these de.
cisions ID right we cannot pretend to say;
yet. without any pretence to legal know
ledge. We incline to the opinion that the
first Of these gentlemen are right, and
that just and liberal construction of The
law would entiilc the State 10 these
lands.
We feel as much disappointed and
dissatisfied as any one else in the Valley;
but at the same time we cannot approve
Of the unjust course pursued by some in
our midst, who are very earnest and
noisy in the abuse of wing officers, for
doing whatihey no doubt Conscientious.
~ believe to be their duty, under the sol.
emnity of their oaths; while they utter
not breath Of complaint Cat least not
publicly.) against the men of their own
party who, Isl are responsible for the
ambiguity and uncertainty Of the law;
End for not long since having the matter
finally and definitely settled by Con-
gress; and Bird for the high-handed and
shameful manner in which they have
butchered the improvement, and squan.
dered large proportion Of the grant,
Without -efiectlng anything for the inn
provement. All this has been done b,
tie leaders Of their party, before the ve-
~ eyes and faces Of the people. and not
one word Of condemnation escapes their
lips! It's all right. But as soon as
schig officer makes decision adverse 10
the interests Of the improvement, these
men are seized with .shcly horror and
cry out: "Oh. the monster! he is ruin
ing the country"
II the prominent wings had done a
hundredsh part as much TO ruin and de-
feat this great work d the men who as
pire TO lead and direct the Democratic
party in the State, they (the leaders,
would have thought than worthy of the
execrasion and denunciation Of all hon
est men. Base and unmanly insinua-
tions have heretofore been thrown out
BY those who had selfish and parsizan
ends 10 accomplish, at our injury, thai
We were not friends to the Improvement.
in q community where our course and
character is so well known. we have al
ways deemed il superauous to notice
these charges and insinualions. And we
now say, once for all, thatour homes.
hopes, and all. are Unidentified with the |
and advancement Of Me |
Dee Moinss Vailiy--and our voice and
hand will ever be raised against every |
man. OF Get Of men. who through blum
I'eripg, ignorance, o. design, does any
hing . reiArd sishsr. IN pursuance Of
'his course. We have heretofore condemn
ID and disaereed with our friends. in and