Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-03-27
THE APPROPRIATION OF LANDS FoR INTERNAL
IMPROVEMENTS

THE APPROPRIATION OF LANDS FOR INTERNAL
IMPROVEMENTS.
In regard to the principle of making grants Of
lands to particular States, were it new question,
we should consider it seriously questionable policy.
But after what Congress has heretofore done in that
way on large scale-earelessly and somewhat i'm
providently, it is true-the principle must be con-
sidered as already recognised by the Government
and the further appropriation of public lands to
similar objects becomes question Of expediency,
which must be judged, it seems to US, BY the indi-
vidual merits of each proposition.
On this subject there is no little force in the fol
lowing observations, which, coming from an old and
respectable journal in one of the Old Thirteen
States, may be considered as disinterested they
are liberal
FROM THE CONNECTICUT coURANT MARCH 10.
One of the most distinguishing features Of the present
session of Congress is the demand made by the Western
States for large of public lands for purposes of
railway communication. At first glance this demand
seems graspng one and only the entering to the
cessions all the lands to the States in which they lie
But when viewed dspassonatcly, it may be, asseg oil,
the acceptable plan for ir prosperity of the old
States Tae Wing doctrine Of the distribution of the pro-
proportion their number of inhabitants must be ren
pushed while the nation is laborng under public debt
The next best STEP then facilitate their sale and
increase their value enable them in time to pay OH
this Indebtedness For this object plan seems so i'm
as one that will facilitate intercourse encourage
settlers, and bring their products rapidly to market
| Schemes for the settlement Of . """''---A a.
quire far-reaching policy The question of dollars
and cents matter of present emolument is of less
moment than the ultimate we-beng of the immense popu
laton that will eventually crowd these territories. IT,
then, Government cam by giving away acre,
the sale of two at price higher than the three would
have brought without the gift it certainly is matter of
policy, revenue alone conceraed to give the one
away. If by these roads, settlers in larger numbers
induced to enter the Territories and purchase land
the object of Government is gained far pecuniary
policy is concerned.
But therc other objects before Republic than
merely the pecuniary advantages of It's future
growth and prosperity be considered The happ-
and progress of its citizens are be calculated
Men who enter the untenanted forest with their axe on
their shoulder, and nothing but their right and
lndomitabe rely upon deserve the consideration
OF paternal Government much those who living
in the cities surrounded by society. There is kind
of tacit compact the part of Government that such
man shall not be shut out of the pale of civilization
of from the benefits Of market and deprived of the
means of communicating with the world he has left.
There to be duty resting his country follow
him with her advantages and improvements and
him with his fellows by roads and bridges by lines of
packet-shps and The settler has performed
his part of this implied compact by first entering the will
derness let the country then perform her part by
meeting him with the world he has left and by bringing the
advantages of good parental a-seeing Government to
his rude log hut amid the clearing.
This argument, then, and that Of interest and policy
will be sufficient for the grant of these public
lands for the purposes required Neither will the old
States lose their share of the public domain These roads
win bring to their increased profit of trade
their business will be built up, and their prosperity
much increased than would have been the case had
the lands been retained to be sold for their benefit