New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-03-16

Mr.. webster on the Public Lands.
The managers Of the Illinois Central
Railroad Chat is to beg gave Dinner to the
Illinois Delegation in Congress at Washing
ton ON Friday evening last. They had a
good time of course, and listened to lots of
stirring speeches; but the gem of the eve
ming was letter from DANIEL WEBSTER,
regretting his inability to attend, but speak
ing Of Railroad grants and the general dis.
position of our Public Lands as follows
WASHINGTON. Friday, March 10, 1852.
MY DEAR SIR: was exceedingly sorry that it
was not In my power to accept the invitation, re-.
ceived yesterday, OF yourself and your Ne~-York
frienes, to dine with you at your hotel today You
are here, l understand, upon business connected
with the Illinois Railroad, AMI the members OF Con-
gress from that State are expected to be among
your guests. 1t would have given me great pleasure
to meet those gentlemen, and in expressing my
! eradication that that magnificent work is now
about 70 commence, and that its completion within
no long time is put beyond contingency. The IN
lance and, with the exception of those me asures
adopted tho session before the last, hardly know
whether the present President Of the United States
has given his sanction to act of Congress likely
to have larger influence on the prosperity of the
country.
Several years ago was in Illinois, and passed,
through which this railroad runs thought mad
never seen such an immense tract of valu able laod
and subsequent discoveries OF many sorts OF tse
most SsiSaoe minerals produce entire CONVICTION
mat the State OF Illinois may become prosperous
In Its manufactures as in Its agriculture Ere loag
We shall see another and similar work. com memo
ING the southern extremty of this road, and
ning through the Southern States till IL reaches the
Gulf Of Mexico This is not only probable, but GER
tam, II no great political evil sha in the mean time
beiall the country.
The tn ps;l~ 81
lIgs portion OF the public domain, but il will BE-
well disposed Of; and this grant and other SIMILAR
grant: made already, or now In contemplation, while
tney leave the residue Of the public aads more val
uaoic 60 not essentially interfere with the objects
winch have thought just, and have for long time
zeaousy supported, Of giving land enough for .
Homestead to syery actual settler on the sole con.
diton OF actual residence for short term Of years
IN my opinion the public good and the happiness OF
indlviduAs alike require this. God gave the earth
to man TO be titled and land s Of value whatever
tiitne approach OF cultivation shows that il Is about
70 become the theater for the application Of human
labor, the au-producins source of comfort and
wealth.
Nobody can contemplate these great lines Of In
semd accommodations, running through many States,
without percelving at once their important political
effects. Nothing can tend more strongly TO hold the
states together or, If NAV borrow an expression
from language usually applied TO that which is the
object Of your thoughts to-day nothing is more likely
to keep the Government aAd the Union from running
IL,
TO ssriy to all your associates, not only the assr
ances OF my high personal ssrds, but also nv Esa-
rgratulahons at the which has 20 far
attended their most valuable and important under
taking.
remain, with entire regard, your obsdien. ser.
want, DANIEL WxpsTER.
DAVID A. NEAL. Esq.
We do not at all agree with Mr.. Web.
ster As to the policy of gigantic Land
grants for Railroad or other purposes.
We believe they do essentially interfere
with the true and benign policy of granting
lands in limited alotments to actual settlers
and improvers, without exacting any price
therefor. But We very readily and heartily
agree that, if Public Lands are to be sold
at all, it should be for just such purposes
Of Improvement and the facilitation Of in-
tercourse As are contemplated In this
Illinois grant. We will further con-
ceds that, if the great fundameu-
tai principle of Free Lands to set.
tiers we're but firmly established, the evil
consequences Of making grants of such
lands for railroads, &c, would be far less
obvisus-perhaps lees weighty. Still, We
must deem it in any case objectionable.
Settle the lands conpactly, and railroads
viii be constructed through them rapidly
and abundanty. Essablish the principls
dat usimproved land is free gifs Of God,
to DO disPsased a cir and water are. to an