The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1852-07-28
&c Trifics light as air,
Are, to the jealous, combinations strong
As proofs of holy WRIT

The Miners Express of the 18th seeks to
make good its repeated misrepresentation of
this paper, by garbling all that we have said on
the subject of Bennets Land Bill, and by plac-
ing the most abs ard constructions upon particu-
lar p0rtions-such, for instance, as the state
ment on our part, given as mere matter of
news, that Benefits bill would probably be the
only chance left US, was "an endorsement Of
principle and an advocacy of the measure,
&c. We have also frequently spoken # the
bill as providing " magnificent grant which,
if prudently managed, wsnld ere long give US
a pre-emnence," &c, all which the Express
also construes to be an endorsement of the
principles of the BILL and as in favor of its pas
sage. 1t is also true that we have stated that
this grant would be sufficient to enable us TO
establish the basis of great system-a system
which, in the course of time, If properly man
aged, would rebound 10 the great good of the
State. All this we are willing to repeat, yet in
all this there is no endorsement Of Benefits
bill, or the principles involved, neither is there
in the whole Of it any hope wish expressed
that it may become a law. As journalist, We
gave cur readers at the outset synopsis of its
general features, and have kept them advised OF
its progress. When its passage through the
House is counted upon fixed fact, and its fin al
passage through the Senate also become pro-
bable event, we then spoke of it as matter
worthy the serious attention Of the people of the
State, as connected with the choice of members
of the legislature, who would have the DISPOSE
ton Of it. Even these facts the Express is
dis,ngenious enough to put forward as an en-
dorsement, on our part, OF all the princi-
pies involved in the bill. A common de-
famer, DESTROYS of a pretext to misrepresent,
might, in a dire emergency, resort to such
means to crafty his malignity-bui, in an intel
ligent community, as We know Dubuque to be,
the silly vaporing and far-fctched conclusion: Of
the Express will scarcely weigh a feather in the
scale Of truth. A more trumpery effort to mis-
represent neighboring print, or to convict a
contemporary of inconsistency has never before
been attempted.
In The FIRST article which we wrote upon the
subject, and the only one which came within
gunshot of touching the principles involved in
the bill, or OF touching upon its expediency, we
said: /" This is some ameloration of the Under
wood proposition, which was to make the old
States bona fdc land holders in the new States.
We have nothing more 10 rely upon than a tele-
graphic rumor as to the position of western
members on the subject-a position which they
viii assume Favorable to the billy only as a last
resort. and aehea satisfied that appropriations
can be obtained on M other terms"
However, this is a new question, and admits OF
a vast amount of argument pro and con. We
may advert to it again, especially if the bill
should become law. The most important To-
cal obstacle chich acomld deroire upon our people
Of locating the routes upon arhich the, lands
should Be expended. This would give rise to
much discussion and perhaps t0SEbnsiderabe
feeling also"
The above extracts, which 90 to the substance
of the question, and which completely spoil the
case sought to be made out by the Express.
have been carefully suppressed by the paper
So far from advocating the bill, or giving an
opinion in its favor, we have said that Western
members would 20 for it &c only as last resort.
So far from desiring its passage, or urging it
upon the favor OF our people, we have pointed
out /" the local obstacles which would make it
vexed question among US.
Il is true that IN sometimes looking upon it
as measure certain to pass, we have spoken OF
it as pregnant with important consequences to
Iowa, and as afording capital upon which we
could construct the basis of great and bens-
fetal system; and with this view of e case we
have sought, in such appeals as we have been
able to make, to withdraw the public attention
from mere local Improvements and to fasten 1t
upon a great and useful general system. But,
whatever may have been our wishes, at no time
have we had faith in the hope that certain To-
cafities would listen to reason, or surrender
their preconceived opinions upon the altar OF
the public good. Believing, therefore, from past
experience, that every argument in favor OF the
general good would be passed by in silence, OF
treated with contempt in certain quarters-and
believing that any aud all Offers of reconcitia-
ton would continue to be rudely and indignant
" rejected, We have come TO the conclusion as
before stated, and here repeated, that we would
be better off without the grant. II this be IN
consistent with anything we have heretofore
said in reference to this bill, we are unable to
see IL. If we are to have /" rams horns, and
nothing but " rams horns" mapped ont all ovei
the State, and local and everlasting dissensions
resulting even in bursting up OF political or
carnations aud the running mp of the black flag
BY such papers as the Express, we do insls
that we would be better OFT without me grant
whilst none would be a greater gamer by such
a result than the Miners Express, as the defea
Of thu bill is the only chance left by which tina
paper can retrace lis fugitive steps and return
again TO its former political associates whom y
has ignobly deserted