The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-03-03


when they assume that those who represent the new
Sales have entered into combination with those who
represent the tariff interest in order TO squander the pub
lie lands and cut of the revenue from that soucel
The honorable senator from Virginia is particularly
careful 10 protect the ueasuryi and the honorable
tor from Kentucky also opposes propositions which tend
10 reduction OF the receipts from public lands and vel
he offers, by his amendment, 10 take $4,000 900 acres
from the land fund.- as he calls it, by which the receipts
from that quantity would be cut off forever
That amendment contains other propositions to which
desire TO advert Tor moment Ii gives liberty TO the
States 10 whom The lands are TO be granted not allowed
TO the State OF Iowa. or the other States. The od
States are TO have discretion In the appropriation Of
the land ~ pare gift to them, and they al liber.
" 10 appropriate 10 the purposes of education or of in.
ternal lmprov ement Then what is The benefit which
the United States 10 receive under this amendment
They get no money II road, or bridge or canal should
be built e1cusuey BY the means derived from the lands
granted then the United States have free trans
porlaon But when is granted, does nybody imagine
that road, or bridge, or canal will be built erc-
suy by the fund thus procured Think you will not re-
quire additional capital TO make the road canal or bridge
The old States will then be released from their obliga-
lion to allow OF the transportation OF the troops and pro-
perty OF the United States free from toll
The amendment also proposes that the seventeen old
States shall have the liberty to select the land from the
roads are to pass: They can select it and how long
may they keep IT and withhold it from sale hope
that the idea was not suggested 10 the honorable
from Kentucky by the hope that these lands would rise
SIS $40 per acre, and that the State of Kentucky might
select them at So so. II has occurred TO me that il
there be defect in this bill. and similar bills on your
sections shall first be exposed to public sale
The honorable senator from Kentucky appears to
thnk that the appropriation Of these lands by the States
will be favor TO The poor settlers, who otherwise would
be required 10 pay Tor them. he seemed to admit. in
The course OF his argument that the settlers would have
10 pay for them; but they are poor settlers and. in
der to relieve Them he proposes that the old States shall
have the privilege OF selecting the land. keep long
they please, and have it, the principle asserted BY
him, free from taxation forever, il they choose long
Mr.. President have now disposed of the objections
to the BILL and will present few public considerations in
favor Of the system Of proposed to aid in the
construction Of railroads by grants OF lands on the terms
prescribed in the bill.
In the first place. large portions of the public lands
which are now unsuitable will be sold, not only within
the distance OF six miles from the line OF the roads, but
much greater distance on either side In those districts
in the new States which distant from the navgable
rivers, the lands, however FERTILE not in demand The
few settlers have have no inducemen to production be-
You'd what necessary for consumption OF their house
hold and their stock, and their lands remain, to great
extent uncullvaied because the of transportation
market, in time and labor, would be geacr than the
tire value OF the products
mand for the public lands The settlements will be
tended agricultural industry stimulated, and its produce
tons greatly augmented the comforts and the Of
the settlers will be increased and need not say that their
prosperity will increase your Every who
is enabled from the profits OF his labor to appropriate
nuay to the purchase of dulabe goods 800 contributes
from $40 to $50 10 the support of government
We cannot overesmate the effect OF these improve
ments upon production, and consequently upon
When you come within convenient distance OF Railroad
access to ports and the means OF exchange become
rapid, and cheap; ACTIVITY impaired 10 agriculture and
commercial Industry, and both interests prosper. am
disposed to II these roads more especially, be-
cause look upon them indirect bountes agrcul.
ture and that interest in large portion OF the States
needs encouragement II anguishes Tor the
have stated. Few can be induced to occupy and cult
vae lands far in the INTERIOR and oil those who attempt it
some abandon their farms 10 seek profitable employ
ment IN towns and cities Our cities are becoming over
grown when compared with the settlements of the int.
nor and, il ought extend and increase the
agricultural population; and the system proposed will
have that effect 1t will present inducements TO the set
Element and cultivation of farms by aordng ready
to Market and the means OF securing reward for
labor equal to that which now epis too many to resort
TO the towns and cities TO engage IN the business OF vend
ing the products OF Europe, or in some other OF the var
Gus employments OF city population
Mr. President, there SPECIAL reasons why this gov
eminent should aid IN the construction OF railroads, or
provide some other OF rapid transit to the borders
Of The States west OF the Mississippi.
II has been your policy 10 establish upon borders
tribes OF Indians OF them more or less
civilized; some engaged partially in agriculture but most
Of them wild and unameable accustomed 10 depreda-
ton, sometimes upon the whites, sometimes upon their
Indian neighbors more civilized and orderly than them
selves There continual danger OF serious disturbance
which this government ought 10 be prepared TO subdue al
any time promptly The United States are bound 10 keep
the peace that frontier and afford adequate protection
to people, and this can be accomplished most eectu
ally BY providing the means OF rapid transportation for
adequate military force.
You have lately acquired large districts OF country
tending 10 the Pacific California and Oregon ough, 10
be brought within supporting distance; and, If the war
anticipated by the honorable senator from Tennessee IS 10
upon u.s. the sooner il is done the better. Sooner
later ii must be done, and can only be accomplished BY
opening drec, and practical commune ton to that State
and Territory, through the interior In time OF war,
troops and munitions OF war; aud il may be the necessary
supplies 10 support the military naval force, or BOTH
must be transported 10 the Pacific through the interior OF
country You cannot safely conduct your ope-
Tatons either the Ishmus round Cape Horn at
least IT would be unwse 10 attempt II,
do not mean TO say that there IS necessity 10
construct railroad to The Pacific, but | am OF opinion
that there is public necessity for road roads OF
some kind by which California and Oregon shall be-
come OF ready II II desired TO preserve
and protect your possessions the Pacific you should
not only open roads, but establish military posts al con-
yenlent distances, and maintain al each sufficient
military force TO keep open the communication and hold
The Indians in check.
When the roads west of the Mississippi contemp!a-
led by the bills your table. constructed, greater
security will be afforded TO the inhabitants the from
uers Troops and munitions OF war can be rapidly
transported 10 any point which il be necessary
subdue bostiles.
let US turn attention for moment TO the great
Vaey-he centre, the very heart oil the county,
au1 we may form some estimate oil dement's winch
whl result from the system proposed The Mississippi
running through the centre OF the valley almost due
norm and soulh-its navgable waters within short
Instance OF those of Lake Superior on one side, and
heu Hvet on the oher--the time viii come, and
.oa al no distant day. when there will be open com
muncalon by steam from the Gulf OF Mexico 10 the
uui Of 81 Louis, and from the Arctic ocean to the Gull
VI meNco-embracing the whole OF the temperate zone.
A me country shall be traversed with Railroads.&c.
oe now IN process OF nsructon, and others coniem-
8aed IRON the Atlantic border, shall penetrate to the
n,o ana Mississippi. and similar works shall be con.