The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-10

the country, and TO all appearance animated
by determination 10 sustain their preenslOns
to the uttermost. For the most part, they are
sustained by fair argument; but the compari-
sons that have been made of late between the
size or fertility Of one State and of another, and
the firm resolves that have been expressed to
make this the controlling question of the day,
foreshsdow the illteeling, the arrangement,
and the difficulty that will grow out Of pro-
longed dispute. Starting from points far asun-
der and pursuing lines Of argument essentially
distinct, the discussions are not likely TO result
in the harmony necessary to the efficient dis
charge of the duties Of the session. The slow
progress Of the bills under consideration proves
how nearly equally the strength of the House
is divided. Neither side can afford to indulge
in overweening confidence, for each is strong
enough, under the rules of the House, to
checkmate the other. The immediate trou-
BILE to be feared from this state of affairs
is, that other useful business Of the ses
sion will be made contingent upon the settle
ment Of these applications for grants Of land.
The East may say that Iowa, or Missouri, or
Arkansas, shall not have grant in aid of rail
roads, but it happens that these States are not
fighting alone. and that they can call to their
aid strength sufficient TO battle measures to
which The East attaches high degree of i'm
portance. Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Indiana,
Louisiana, Michigan, Texas, and Wisconsin, are
rs strongly interested in the matter as Arkansas,
Iowa, and Missouri; aud with their united forces
they can present phaanx strong enough to
impede. measures OF their opponents, if not
strong enough to carry their own. Such pro-
ceeding, if it occur. will be open to strong and
just animadversion, but that will not remove
the fact, or mitigate the awkwardness Of its
consequences.
If this estimate of the position and tendency
|of parties on this question be correct an effort
to avert the impending mischief cannot be
made too soon. Whether successful or not, an
attempt should be made to harmonize the
moderate Of both parties, with view to doing
| Justice to each. We cannot avoid the conclu-
sion that both are in a measure at fault
Western Representatives do wrong when they
declare that the East shall have none of the
greater than that of eastern gentlemen when
resisting these auxiliary land grants in toto.
Massachusetts,, New York, and Virginia are
entitled to their proportion Of the domain.
Their right is not stronger, however, than that
of Arkansas. Iowa, or Missouri to grants which
will still fall short of placing them on level
with the older States. Certainly Massachu-
sets OF New York cannot consistently resist
plans based on the principle of granting Gov
eminent aid to national internal Improvements.
Virginia, having always prided herself on
Democratic orthodoxy, may, with a show of
propriety, vote against Democratic applications
for measures subversive Of fundamental prin
ciple of the Democratic creed but it seems to
US that Massachusetts and New York, which
have profited by aid from the national treasury,
should not grudge aid in the form of land TO
younger States. Having uniformly claimed
for the General Government the constitutional
right to devote national resources TO the con-
struction Of national improvements, we have
rendered what support is in our power to the
bills granting land for railroads, and we see no
reason now for altering our course.
There is nothing unreasonable in the hope
that the parties 10 the contest will yet surren-
der ther extreme positions, and apply them
selves TO the arrangement Of medium plan
one that shall assist the younger States in their
career Of improvement, without violence to the
rights Of the others. At this stage OF the SEES
sion, il is Of course impossible 70 mature an
entire new scheme for the appropriation and
management Of the public lands Something
Of the sort will have to be devised by and bye,
and then the mode in which the rights Of the
old States shall be recognised will come up for
consideration. But this prospective claim need
not be converted into an excuse for withhold
ing measures which. while largely benefiling,
the West; will ye, be found to operate advan-
tageously 10 the whole country. Their adop-
ton is OF the highest present importance to the
States applying for them, and will in no respect
prejudice the pretensons that will arise when
the whole subject comes before the country for
review