Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-03-06
THE DEMOCRACY AND THE PUBLIC
LANDS


tern railroads by Congress out OF the proceeds
arising from the sale of sections OF the public |
lands. There is now depending in the Sem |
ate. rs our readers are aware, q bill to make
grant of this nature and for this purpose to the
State of Iowa: and in the other House of Con-
gress, one for two such appropriations to the
State of Missouri. Mr.. Orr, from South Caro-
lima, to our surprise, undertook in the latter
branch of the Legislature the defence OF the
bills,and herein of the principle upon which they
are bottomed In order to cast the weight of
previous reflection in his favour, he tells the
House ~that he had examined the subject with
great care and attention. Now, in confined
S pace. we propose to examine the fruits OF his
reflection. We shall then be able to estimate
the weight of the reasons that can induce South
Carolina politician to break rank and pass over
to the other side. Or shall be able to apply
Il guage to the honorable members understand
ing. Here is the gist of his argument. He adj
mits the full power in Congress to dispose of the
public lands; but very properly contends that
this power is coupled with trust that they shall
only be used in such a way as will advance the
public good in its most enlarged sense. This
Just he thinks is complied with, by the enhanc
ed value resulting from such an appropriation
upon the adjacent public property.
The authority of Mr.. Calhoun was of course
relied on. But Mr.. Orr sees the shadow of In
ternal Improvement rise up to threaten him.
In order to Danish this ghost he Immediately de-
clares that the system of Internal improvements
opposed by the Democratic party, is that which
aPpropriates money out Of the 1feasuryfor roads
and canals in certain locations. So that it is not
against the constitutionality or the policy of
such system that the election is levelled.-
The fund out of which the appropriation is
made, is the stamp which gives the Impress
He consequently admits the existence Of the
Congressional power, bat only stands upon the
application of it. Let it be remembered
that Mr. Orr is not merely delivering his
own oracuar meditations, but is likewise pro-
nouncing the Democratic creed on this point
But to assure the cautious reader, and we
are well aware that it is our privilege to ad
dress many discerning mind, that we have
not misunderstood the honorable member, we
will add another extract: cit is said, and
truly, that Congress has no right to lery
tares on the people of the United States for the
purpose of constructing such works." The
Hon. member seems to forget that the public
lands represent so much money, and 1t mat
ers little whether Congress appropriates the
thing itself or the thing by which it is repre-
serted. The distinction that is here sought to
be drawn is entirely imaginary. The honora-
Bile member conceives that the question of
Constitutionality is affected by the fact OF
the work of improvement being constructed
out of the proceeds Of taxation. Mr.. Orr Is
certainly endowed with the metaphysics of Ha-
dalras. Congress has the power to lay hold Of
the land fund for purposes OF Internal Improve
ment, which may render resort to taxation
necessary, yet Congress has not the power to
devote part of the revenue derived from any
other source to this object! Why has not Con-
gress the power to devote portion OF the pub
lie revenue derived from imposts to the business
of making road through the public domain, If
such road would increase the value OF the CO.
terminous lands! The abandonment OF princi-
pie bv the Democratic Honorable, which we
have exposed, in its effects II followed up, upon
the disposition of the public lands does not
initiate against our views of sound policy, or
Constitutional law. But we have very ex-
allied opinion of the ability of the argument by
which this change is defended, and the structure
by which Mr.. Orr has attempted to bridge the
chasm that has always divided the Wing from
the Democratic party on this subject.
1t is clear if this publication of the Democratic
creed by the member from South Carolina, is to
be the basis future operations, the States
may come in for portion of that public domain
which, belongs to all. But we are inclined to
believe, that this speech will not become 'aplat-
form for the Democracy" that the honorable
gentleman will not have the honor OF beng ga
noun of multitude but that his speech will be
disaffirmed by his party. That party, so remark
able for it, homogeneous materials, have, we be-
lieye, denied the right of Congress to make ap-
preparations from any fund whatever, towards
general system of Internal Improvements
That was the creed until the new States made
their advent upon the political arena, and by
means of "a general system of threats and re
wards, induced the Democracy in the old States
to subject their articles of faith to a modifca-
ton on the subject of the public lands The
Democracy wavered, thought of the next genera
election, and struck hands with the tempter.-
The growing West, with her teeming focks and
oranges full, has ever since formed tavorite
theme of their variegated eloquenee Now, with
due Difference to the college of purists, in whose
custody is deposited the creed OF the party
we think, that the principle of the exception de-
,troys the rule-that the exception is the h ole
in the dirk that lets in the ''main of waters"
Congress has 10 power to vote appropriations to
construct works of Internal improvement, and
we understand this, Mr.. Orto the contrary, not
withstapding, to be the old Democratic rule, out