Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-04-18

The Enquirer has favored its readers with
eyera broadsidss on the subject of the Public
lands. within the last few days. That journal
avs truly that this is to be issue in the ap-
|roaching State elections, aud we are glad to see
ur opponents at length marching up boldly to
he discussion Of question in regard to which
ney have hitherto had as little to say as possible
The Democracy are beginning to see the neces-
fly Of offering explanation of their position
reference to this subject to the people, and we
resume that the grounds upon which they rest
heir opposition to the reception of virginas
hare of the public domain are fully and au.
horatiyey stated by the Enquirer. We do not
propose the present occasion to travel over all
be ground occupied by contemporary in his
pug and elaborate dissertations but shall content
urselses with calling attention to some of his
bading views.
The Enquirer endeavors to show that the pub.
c lands are not worth having, and that if dis
Fibuted among the States they would prove q
urthen their treasures instead of source of
roft. 1t eagerly seizes on and endorses a state
tent in the speech of Mr.. Staples, of Patrick,
rowing that the administration of the public
bbt for several years past, and adds:
If the State of Virginia shall fare as well as the Gen.
al Government is here shown to have done in the
aanagement of the two three millions of public lands
ring somewhere east and north of the Ell Passo which
ill fall to her share it is plain that her public debt will
ndergo very decided phases under the influence of
ennett's Land Bill.
Now, if it be true, the Enquirer admits,
hat the public lands actually charge upon
be Federal treasury, and if it be also true as it,
bntends THAT if distributed the respective States
Foud find them burthen instead of mine of
wealth, then why not cede these lands at once
the States in which they lie ? Are not the En-
uirer's arguments irresistible 10 favour of such
measure, aud is not that journal bound in all
Pnsistsncy to advocate it Why should the &C.
oral Government continue to expeod two mil
ons of dollars annually in the administration of
he public domain aud above its receipts from
hat source. when the new States re- ready and
Filling to relieve ii of this burthenl These two
hilIio rs of dollars are raised by duties on i'm
osts and we have the authority of the Enquirer
pr saying that the South pays nearly the whole
f such duties. Is not the South, them
post outrageously and unjustly taxed to pay
pr the administration of the public lands!-
it not bad enough to be robbed of our property
Without being compelled to bear the expenses Mt
nding its manag cement after it has passed from GU
ands and its benefits are mouopolised by Others!
his system the Enquirer proposes to perpetuate.
do our rs the doctrine that Cong ess should levy
uties for the purpose of providing surpIu.
md to be afterwards distributed among the
tates as s'rabid federalism and vany epdeavors
b prove that the Wings have sanctioned this
doctrine by their support of Benefits bill. BIZ,
he Euquirer's doctrine is even more rabidly
edera than that which it so iercely assails 1t
Foud be bad enough, we admit to distri-
ute equally among the States money that
ad been raised by an unequal system of taxa
on, but it would be far worse to distribute this
honey INEQUALITY, and the federalism OF such a
heasure is of much deeper dye. This is precise
y what the Enquirer proposes to do. 1t AYERS that
he South pays nearly the whole of the customs.
nd yet it advocates annual appropriation from
be federal treasury for an indefinite length of
me for the exclusive benefit of the new States.
his is distribution in its worst shape
ave from such republication and strict
destruction as this If the public lands do
pot yield sufficient revenue to defray the ex |
enses attendant their management, and if it |
an be shown that in case of distribution, the old |
tates would be subjected to similar burthens,
Re hold that these lands should be promptly re
nquished to the States in which they lie These |
tates are anxious to get them, and the old men, |
ers of the confederaey would thereby be relieved
their share of the expense now incurred by
be General Government in managing this inn
pense national property. The Fnquirer's loeic
pads irresisti5iy to the conclusion that the pub
c domain should thus be disposed Of The land
rates Of the West-the who are eyen now
amouring for the possession of the whole public
omain, will need no stronger argument in favor
their cherished policy than that whichth En-.
uirer supplies. "You admit (they win say to
pc old States) that the public la nds ara a bur-
zen to the General Government, You admit
nat they would be burthen to yourselves
hen why not allow take them :? Why
lay the dog 10 the manger, aud deny us the pos
pssion of that which you cannot enjoy 2"
SENATOR ATHERToS.-The Philadslphia In.
uirer says:
The President, in the distribution Of patronage.
as already made many bitter enemies. Even
is friend, Senator Anterior, of New Ham,
-yaI L