Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1852-10-02
The Public Lands.

We ask the attention of the reader fo an ar
iicle which we publish to day, from the Rich
inond Wing, headed TnE GREAT QUESTION:
We cannot too strongly impress upon linn The
important subject 10 which II calls attention.
and the facts and reasoning that it e,nbodes.
Truly may it be styled tie great question, for,
In comparison with II oil others now before the
country shrink into insienifcnucc. Shnll the
immense domain. belonging IN Common 10 all
the States of the Union, be so managed NJ that
all The States shall share alike in IT,; or shall ii
he absorbed hy the Statc- aud people of the
west without compensation 10 the CO parcen
ors2
We esteem it a great grievance ir slave is
run of into a free State. and ore ready 10 dip
our hands in fratricidal blood 10 arrest the evil
Is the millions of dollars " orth of land dat is
every year being lilched from the JOINT owner
ship Of all tho States, for the exclusive use 0f
the west, of less value 10 IA than few runa-
way negroes? Let IL be borne in mind too,
that these lands are going chiefly TO the free
States; to Illinois, Michigan and Iowa: that they
are used for making Railroads and Canas-
for educating the peopic and for Reasoning their
taxes--und that the effect is to add greatly to
the population of those Statcs, and thereby IN
crease their political strength and break down
that balance Of power in the Union, on which
in the judgement al Mr.. Calhoun the safety
Of the South depends. Let il be remembered
TOO, that relying on this rapid increase of pow =
err their representatives have already made the
arrogant and insulting boast IN Congress. that
the time would soon arrive, when they would
lie strong enough 10 take these lands, without
asking the old Suites for them.
Congressional acton for the last few years
has shown that the time has passed " hen the
question of constilutionali,y is deboteablc. |,
is the inevitable destiny of the public domain
TO be absorbed by the States. The question
is simply whether Virginia and the other slave
holding and original States shall have the
shares to which they are entitled, or these and
all shall go 10 build up commonwealth that
will in a short time oversha dow them and die
tate the policy OF the government. Shall an
idle afectaton-a senseless sentiment of pride
and prudery debar US from an equal particira
ton in a fund.- the distribution and absorption
OF which We have not the power to prevent I
Attempt TO cover it up as We may with theory
and abstraction, this Is the practical issue.
Shall the quirks and quibbles Of har.spli,-
ting politicians keep the people of Virginia
ground to the dust with taxation, so that thous-
ands OF her sons TO be driven every wear 70
quit her soil and seek home where government
docs not make il so difficult To liyel Are we
TO reject fund honestly our own. the proper
use OF which would make our State the richest
and most powerful in the confederacy. aud her
people the happiest, merely because political
wiseacres chonse to scrupie over what is too
plain to admit of rational DOUBT Let the aues
ton be put TO the people. Let their judgements
DC eSen'and acted upon-in spite of the croak.
'nsS OF the politicians. They and their chill
oren 10 the last generation are concerned in IFS
soiu,'"h ana the action that will follow.
we again urge the perusal of the article 70
Which we have called attention; and osL rio
reader TO bear in mind that it is to the WI
party, the State must look to save III. A.
main from the grasp of the west and secn,. -
equitable distribution among those equally ON.
titled
Il