The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-04-01
LANCASTER CAROLINA THURSDAY MORNING. APRIL 1852

VI aSfeS Wcte uIspOSeu VI, Wnicn would
otherwise never have been sold.
"Mr. Calhoun. have seldom given
vote the result Of which gratified me more
than the vote which l gave on that occa-
sion. then presided in that chair which
you now occupy, and gave the casting
vote. l take to myself, therefore, some
credit Of that magnificent improvement.
Indeed, l do think that there is princi-
pie more perfectly clear from doubt than
this one is. 1t does not belong to the cat
CORY "f internal improvements at all. It
is not a power claimed by the Govern
ment as n government. It belongs to the
Government as laudable proprietor
And l will add, that it is not only right,
but duty, and IN important duty
Now, what has been considered an eauit-
able arrangement between the Govern
ment and the State which may undertake
an improvement passing through the
public landsl Long since, it was agreed
that the grant ofalternate sections, was n
fair contribution on the part of the Uni
ted States, considered as proprietor, AID
from which the United States would be a
very great gamer. 1t appears to me to
be an equitable arrangement; and doubt
whether, in any case, either of n canal or
a railroad passing through the public lands
the United States will not be thegainer.
To that extent an prepared to 60, be
the road long or short ; if it be long you
gain the more; if it be short, You gain
the less; and you contribute in proportion
to your gain"
That is one authority to which / wish
especially call the attention of men,
bcrs from the old State, who are dis
posed to raise constitutional question a
gainst this Till. There is another author.
ity, which think will be considered up
on this side of the House (Democratic) IL
very high one, from which will read
Gen. Cass, in that debate, in presenting
the reasons why he would support the bill,
said.
This bill does not touch the question
Of internal Improvement at all. 1t asserts
no right on the part of this Government
to lay out road, or to regulate the con-
struction of Il road, The Federal govern
ment is n great landholder; it Possesses
an extensive pnblic domain and we have
the power, under the Constitution, to dis
pNse Of that domain; and a very unim-
tied power it Is. The simple question is,
what disposition We make Of the public
lands! No one will contend that We can
not give them away to State. As the
Senator from Kentucky has said, every
President has signed bills asserting the
principle that these lands may be disposed
1t Ivy the General Government, without
restriction as &, the purpose Of such dis
dorition. We my Lcstow them for
school purposes, or We may bcstow porr
tion for the purpose Of improving the valu,,
of the rest. What right have you to sit
still and see your lands growing in value.
through the instrumentality Of individuals,
without rendering any furtherance of that
"tjectt Is it the settlement Of the lands
that makes them valuable"
General Cass subsequently in the
same debate, in reply to constitutional
issue made by the gentleman from Ala
hama, (Mr. Basby) in more pointed
manncs. maintained the constitutional
power Of Congress to dispose of portion
ofthe public domain to enhance the vclue
"f the re,naining portion, He said:
IL will answer theSenator. The Gen
eral Government has no power to make
any railroad or canal through any State;
but the disposal of II portion Of the public
domain to raise the value of the rest, is
clearly within the power Of this Govern
mrnt.
find, Mr. Speaker, in the 18th volume
Of the Congressional Globe, another debate
upon the bill granting alternate sections
of the public lands to the State Of Michigan,
in ~hkh number Of Senators parti ipated.
l believe that at that time Mr., Niles, of
Connecticut, and Mr.. Bagby, Of Alabama,
were the only two Senators who raised
the Constitutional question, In that de-
bate Mr.. Calhoun participated and said:
AS far as the Michigan bill was con-
cer"ed simply giving alternate sections Of
the public land for the purpose Of cnhan-
cling the value Of the remainder. Upon
this point he would say that he had not
the slightest doubt that the Government
not only had the right as proprietor ofthe
public domain, to grant portions Of the do
main for such purpose, but that il was
the duty Of the Government to do 30.
The Government in his opinion, ought to
be ashamed Of allowing their land to be
enhanced in value by the exertions and
at the cost Of a State without contributing
in some degree tn produce this result
On that occasion, Mr.. Miles, in reply
70 these observations, charged Mr.. Calhoun
with inconsistency in voting for that hill,
and with an abandonment Of his doctrines
upon the subject of Internal Improvement.
Mr. Calhoun replied to the Senator from
Connecticut rs follows:
He Mr.. C.) acted now on the principle
on which he had acted from the beginning
"a principle perfectly clear; and mot only
was il clearly the right Of the Government
to make these grants, bat be considered
that IL was the duty of the Government IN