Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-05-08
A Poser.

4
Gov. Smith IS always ready with areu-
ments and facts 20 parry of The th1usts
which are daily made in Congress, at the
policy Of the Virginia Democracy. One
of his most successful repartees was elicit
ed the other Gay during MI. Benefits
speech in favor of distribution of the
lands arAong the States, in which he stated
Virginia had never received an acre Of
pablic land. Gov. Smith replied, Il beg
to inquire Of the gentleman if the proceeds
Of these sales do not 60 into the national
Treasury, and whether, if the State of Vir-
ginia does not, in this way, get her share
of the benefits derived from them ~
II the lands Of the United States were
disposed Of and the proceeds distributed
according to the meaning OF the Constitu-
ton, Virginia would receive her proper
tionate share thereof. There is no one
who would be guilty Of the indiscfetion
OF boldly advocating distribution of the
present surplus funds of the Treasury
among he States, for the prosecution Of
their local Improvements. Such propo-
sition, devoid as it would be of ambiguity,
and appearing in its naked deformity
would be condemned and repudiated, as a
monster whose tendency would be to de-
stroy the essence Of our government, and
at once convert our republicanlsm into
monarchy. But this same proposition,
dressed up in verbiage. and disguised by
appeals to precedent and interests, IS sane
toned by majority of the American Con-
gtess. What else is it but a distribution
Of the money OF the Federal Treasury
among the States, when these lands have
been purchased by that money, and il sold
the proceeds must legitimately revert to
The source whence they came. and then to
be used for the Legitimate ends Of govern
ment. We paid $50, 100000 out of the
Federal Treasury for the Louisiana Ter
ritoy. We paid SIS, O0o,0 900 for tie Ter.
ritory Of Utah, New Mexico, sc. We
are now abort to pay 100000 for the
Mesilla Valley Where did all this money
come from, and to whose advantage should
the proceeds of the sale of this territory
accrue2 This money came from the States
by taxation, and therefore the benefits
should accrue to the States, in the exact
ratio they were taxed to raise this money.
How is this to be effected Why by ap-
propriating the proceeds of the sales of the
lands to the support of Government-re-
dncing the tariff to supply the needed
revenue Of Government, with such nei-
dental protection as may necessarily fol-
low; and then the States would receive
each its proper proportion OF the benefits
of the sale Of the lands and thus would
fair, honorable and equitable distribution
Of the proceeds be effected.
What Justice can grow ont of the pres
ent system of land grabbing None,
whatever Ii is founded IN log-roling and
corruption. Ii is but "a popular means oil
robbery, which is accomplished through
the most heterogeneous and unscrupulous
agencies. And because Virginia will moi
lend her sanction to such wholesale filch
ing, and become party to the transac
ton by-receiving the stolen goods, there
are men within her limits, Nho, to their
shame be it said, upbraAl and abuse her
The proposition involves such monstrous
doctrine, that we cannot see how those
who have any respect for the Constitution
and the interests Of the States in their SOY.
ereign capacity. can advocate it. How
would the people of Virginia receive a
direct Proposition If am thu Federal Gov
ernmcnt to raise by taxation her sh re Of
$4,000, 900 to assist Name in completing
some RAILROAD project Yet the principle
involved in the distribution policy is the
same in a more indirect way. |! is making
the Federal head the repository Of powers
not delegated, and which must eventually
impair seriously. if not destroy, that very
principle in our government for which the
great defender Of States Rights SO strenu,
ously contended..