The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-30

South Carolina, and Georgia, ceded their seve-
raj proportions Of Incorporated lands to meet
the exgencies Of their common country at a
season when patriotism alike demanded and
prompted every sacrifices but The circumstance
that this voluntary REIMBURSEMENT Of future
wealth was needed temporarily to meet de.
mands upon the federal treasury, does not cover
the yet greater condition that the lands seeded
should form a common fund for the use and
benefit Of the United States The purchase Of
Louisiana and Florida, and of the Indian title
in the great West-the annexation of Texas,
New Mexico, and the vast region on the Pa
cific--have served to swell the fund thus be-
gun, until it has assumed proportions utterly
incompatible with the idea not unfrequenty
associated with our policy. Looking at the
domain In its entirety, as capital held in trust
for the joint benefit Of the States and Terri
tories, we can imagine no justification for
persistence in system which relies upon
receipts from sales Of capital stock for means of
meeting pressing expenses Such method
would be ruinous to an individual capitalist,
and as piece of national policy is altogether
lndefensible. For the cost of original pur
chase, of wars leading to acquisitions, of Indian
treaties, of long lines of frontier outposls, and
of the whole machinery of the Indian Bureau.
the public domain is justly liable. These ex
pendtures are, in truth, mortgage upon vest
ed national capital; and revenue accruing from
sales of land should be appropriated in the first
| instance to defraying the interest and principal
of the debt. Whatever surplus revenue may
remain after meeting these items should be APP
proprlated-not to defray the ordinary charges
of Government, but-to the improvement ofiho
| real property belonging to the nation in its SOW
ereign capacity. For all its ordinary expenses
| the Federal Government should rely upon rev
enue accruing from customs duties, or the direct
taxation of the people. The public lands are
held in trust for higher purposes than the pay
ment Of current governmental expenses.
We agree, then, with Mr.. STEPHENS, of
Georgia, that new policy in regard TO the
public domain is called for by the crcum
stances of the country. We think with him
hat it is question "now looming up in the dis,
lance, and before long must become control
ling question in national politics." Its extent
and importance forbid hasty decision, and rem
der extremely undesirable any legislation cal
cuated to prejudice future discussion, or to
stand in the way of a future equitable settle
ment. Whether free farms, rs sanctioned by
the Homestead bill. ought TO enter into that
settlement is a problem that can be most sat
isfactorily solved when the whole subject
comes up for review. With no possibility of
establishing well defined and just system
during the session now in progress, the post
Ponement of the Homestead question appears to
be desirable on many grounds Congress and
the country have been made acquainted with
the arguments advanced in support of the bill
before the House; and it seems to be The part
of prudence to wait until opportunities have
been afforded for maturing some general and
comprehensive plan in reference io-the public
domain.
The reasons that may be advanced in favor
of delaying this bill do not apply with any
thing like the same force TO the measures be-
fore Congress for the promotion of extensive
works of internal improvement. These latter
involve no new principle. They imply no de-
pariure from the we'll established constitutional
functions Of Congress, and are subject to no OBJ
jectons but those which would prohibit all i'm
provemenis by the General Government. They
are as far as possible removed from the 'squan-
dering" schemes which have formed the themes
Of eloquent denuncation in several of the State
Legislatures. In reality, they are but modes
of investing portions Of the public wealth, for
the increase and improvement of the great re-
mainder; and are jusiifable on grounds pre-
clsely similar to those that govern the proceed
ings of men in the management Of their private
estates. The other day we colated facts
illustrative OF the marked enhancement Of
value impaired 10 property by railroads in
Northern and Southern States; and on these
we predcated a proportionate advance as the
result of the construction of projected lines in
the West. speech since delivered by Mr..
YATES, in the House, Shows the gratifying
experience Of Illinois in this respect. The
lands along the line Of the Central
Iailroad in that State had been in market
twenty five years, and were as little sought
after at the end Of that period at the com
mencement, on account OF their remoteness
from market, and the scarcity of fuel and fenc-
ing. MI. 1ATbs AYERS that inc eject on me
auxiliary grant, rendering the construction Of
the line certain, has been to give an impulse
To settlement along the route, and consequently
to impart value to previously worthless lands.
In bare expectancy the completion Of the road,
the reserved sections now readily yield 81 30
per acre, and thus realize to the Government
the ordinary market value of the whole tract.
The statement Of the same gentleman in refer
ence to the grant to Illinois in aid Of the Iii
nois and Michigan canal, portrays, in an
equally striking light, the vast influence Of
public Improvements in promoting the settle
ment and Increasing the market value'of the
adjoining domain.
Missouri Wing Convention.
The Wing Convention of Missouri was held