The Rutland County herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1852-1855, 1854-03-31

of II. And with the multiplied exam.
pie. and prcccdcn,s before us. u !. quite
too late TO make a serious question Of
the power OF Congress To grant such a'd.
II Congress may give lands TO the States
to aid them in buildinf ruajs, and canals,
and railways to suppor, schools, and
academies. and colleges to improve
streets, and alleys, and river banks, ~
particular localities il Il may give sites
for couri-hou.cs, Hnd churches, aud .
cemeteries TO particular towns. or coun- .
tics, or parishes ,i II may grant nnnui-
ties, and pensions, and bounty lands to .
particular individuals or classes Of indi. .
viduals--ihe very terms Of which imply T.
gift, or bounty, and independent oi 4
any contract obligations if 1t may give
money and employ It's ships 10 furnish
provisions TO the Sufferers irom earth
quake or from fire or famine IN iorigu
lands, as well NJ in our own. II It may
give lands for the benefit " lscal nsy
lums in Connecticut or Kcnlucky II it
may give lands rs you propose to do, to
all the destitute among those who nre
vigorous aud robust enough TO 90 aud
take possession of and occupy them II
we may do all this, why, in the name
/ OF common Justice aud OF common hu.
maniiy, may we mol grant lands, IN
equitable proportions, to all the States.
embracing the new as well as the old,
TO aid them in making suitable prp,is-
ions for the proper care and treatment
of the thirty thousand OF our fellow he
ings who are in II more helpless aud de-
upon whom your bounty has ever been
bestowed
II ii be said that Government receives
"a consideration for these land grants IA
the enhanced value of its remaining
lands, by the increased settlements aud
Improvements, the argument applies
with equal force II the present cast.
You are furnishing another means, nn
additional agency TO encourage and pro-
mote settlements. and thereby 10 create
an increased demand and To give n
greater value and more ready sale for
pour other lands. The exercise of the
power claimed in this case comes within
the rule of the most strict construction,
that the Federal Government, rs the
trustee of the public lands, may dispose
of them only in such manner rs propri.
etor would do in the exercise oi n sound
discretion.
Mr.. President, if may be allowed
TO express the opinion, this Is the only
measure which is likely TO command The
favorable action Of Congress by whicl
the old States will receive directly any
share or benefit from the public domain
which is the common property Of al
the States. am not complaining o
injustice to the non landbolding States
but, with the recorls Of It's acts bcior,
me, feel authorized to say that Con
gress has dealt literally, to say the
least, with the land States 10 the way
OF grants to them. The grants to the
new States and Territories for vnrou,
f purposes amounted IN the aggregate, oI
the 30th Of June last, TO fraction shor
Of one hundred aud thirty millions u
acres. hope the policy OF the Govern
; ment will always be characterized by I
spirit Of liberaIity toward, them but
at the same time, thai II will not be for
, getlul of u proper regard TO what !
! just and due the old States OF TIA
, Union.
Now, when the new States are ask
! ing the votes Of the representative .
the old States for grants OF other nil
lions OF acres Of this common domain I,
aid them ia the construction Of yariou
lines of railroad and lor other purpose.
, Is II a vain or unreasonable eNpeclaiioi
) on our pau that the representative
. from the new States will characlrriz
: their action by spirit Of justice an'
! llberality IN cbesriully according 10 u
. the small portion Of tbs common Ton,
. which is called Tor by the pros isions .
. this bill for an object 30 commendabl,
. and worthy, and IN which they them
selves are TO enjoy an equal pariicipa
' tom "Thcy who ask justice must d.
% justice" is u maxim Of policy hs wrli -
! morality, even in legislation, am no
/ prepared TO believe that honorable Sen
aiors from the new States Nill ns-utn,
+. the position Of demanding all for lhem
. selver and denying everything iou..--
= II gives me pleasure, indeed, 10 bea
' my testimony 10 the very kindly an'
e generous disposition Of those senator
. from the new States upon the Commit
= tee on Public Lands towards this be
I. nehcent measure.
D Mr. President. II Il were nredfal, %
. II II were possible 10 invest the propo
E siiion before Us with any additional ~
. iercst aside from its intrinsic merit. II !
! found in the confederation of is origin
! Il come. commended 10 our attention
B and our regard in the memorial of ~
accomplished aDd gifted lady, the pfiin'
p and energy Of Shos1 year, have LsrI
! devoted 10 the slady and sneliofaiion q
% the condition oi lbis most unfortunate
/ and neglected elass Of people. She ba
! visited in person nearly every State IL
/ il.is unioa, and made berself acquainted
A.. with the oodi,lon and personal history y
!. more than tseniy five thousand of fht
4 class " persons, mosi oi whom rer'