The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-10
The Public L.nds-East and West.

The various bills donating tracts Of the pub
lie domain TO promote important Improvements
in the western and southwestern States, en-
counter almost insuperable obstacles in the
House OF Representatives. Several of the num-
Der have passed the Senate with little OF no
opposition from any quarter, and as the prnci-
pie involved in all is the same, we may reason
ably anticipate that the remainder will follow in
due season. Not one, however, has yet received
final approval in the House and the prolonged
debates that have taken place on one or two of
them Indicate degree Of hostility which still
leaves the issue extremely doubtful. II may
he that mere accident will determine the fate
Of this class of measures for the present ses-
sion. The Iowa bill, which, being first on the
list, is made the special object Of discussion,
may be carried or rejected by resort to the
technicalites of legislation; but such result
must be deprecated by all parties, for it will
leave the principle as uncertain as it now is,
and will only add force TO contention already
angry enough.
The mischief to be apprehended from con
tinuance Of the feeling displayed is by no means
particular localities. IL threatens to assume
the form and proportions Of strictly sectional
contest, with all the keenness, acerbiiy, and
even the danger of previous antagonism Of a
similar character. To the difficulties growing
out Of jealousy between North and South, we
seem likely TO have counterpart as between
East and West and though the issues wear
for time less exciting aspect, we may err in
concluding that they are unworthy Of imme-
date and serious consideration. A quarrel be-
tween East aud West will lack the pToyoca-
tives that have existed in the other case but
it is NOT to be despised because the primary in
iuences still lie upon the surface, or because
the direct occasion Of strife has not hitherto &C
cupied the attention Of our statesmen.
A glance at the speeches delivered since DE
cember on the. subject Of the public lands will
satisfy any person that we are not conjuring up
an imaginary danger. The question has exhibit
ed but two sides, represented in the main by
the two clusters Of States as ordinarily thrown
together. Eastern States, through their Repre-
sentaiivos, have maintained that their rights
have been neglected in the past course Of legis-
lstion on the public dOmain--ihai the schemes
before Congress for aid from that domain are,
IN fact, 80 many cOnirivances for squandering
for the benefit Of part what properly belongs
20 the whole-thai the old States having relin-
pushed their original territory FOR the benefit Of
the General Government, have a clear title 70
protest against the alleged entertainments " the
wesi-and that the West should he taught
at once that though the East has borne previous
Misrepresentation, it is not inclined TO permit a
renewal of the practice. On these points the
East is united; and the only difference in re-
gard to The future is, whether the existing land
system shall be adhered 10, or whether the IN
Appropriated domain shall forthwith be divided
amongst all the States in ratio regulsted
by the relative strength Of population. On the
other hand. the West has denounced what il
considers TO be an unwaranted assumption by
the Eastern States--it denies their title TO the
unoccgpied territory except as paris Of the
cOnfederacy Of States-it asserts that they have
long enjoyed the advantage Of controlling pub
lie affairs, and have used the power TO build up
their own prosperiiyit argues that the grants
oVuBut w Nit WEST VIII. dIief al, not DC more
than equivalent % the appropriations made from
time b. time out OF the national treasury TO carry
on Improvements for the bencf; Of the Atlantic
States-aud itpoints, lastly, to the rapid strides
Of the West in population and wealth, to the
possibility that il may at no remote day WELD
the balance Of political power, and TO the pro
liability that when that day arrives, the assumed
hostility of the East will be remembered and
repaid There are western advocates who
concede the right Of all the States 70 certain
proportions Of the domain, provided the distr-
button can be made without injury 10 the new
States while others resist the plan Of division,
and rather than submit TO il will forcgo grants
applied Cor until the West is strong enough TO
have its own way
Il is obvious that these views are as wide
apart as the extreme ends Of the two gcograph
zeal divisions. They are not the views Of iso-
lated individuals, but Of large bodies Of repre-