The daily union., 1854-02-14


OF reasoning. The lands constitute fund held by the
general government. The agent trustee, for lhe
benefit OF all the States. The proceeds OF these lands
are no longer needed TO assist IN dsffayng the oIdhay
expenditures OF the government, IA which all OF the States
are concerned because our treasury is oysrowing ba
is utterly unconstitutional, is Illegal, i is violation
OF The duty OF the trustee TO apply the lands themselves
or the proceeds OF the lands for The benefit OF all the
Slaes ior whose benefit, nevertheless aud Tor whose
beAeht only, the trustee holds the lands.
Now, SIR, the result oil this proposition, IL rs uD-
constitutional 10 apply the proceeds oil the public lands
or any portion OF the proceeds OF The public lands, or
the benefit OF all the States II is Unconstitutional APP
prcpriate the lands themselves any portion OF the
lands themselves. for the benefit OF all the States The
moment sir, that you have got these two PROPOSE
lions assented 10 by large portion Of the gentlemen who
represent the old States, permit me to inquire what resource
is eit TO us but simply TO SIT BY quietly and permit the
lands to be disposed OF for the benefit OF the States
IL is unconstitutional to give any share, interest,
proportion, benefit in tund held Tor benefit in
with the other States We do mol need 10 delray
the expenditures oil the government; and II is unlawful
uDoonslltulona wrong, 10 give the benefit o1 n IN
any other form That is the doctrine, and that doctrine
agreed to by majority OF the representatives OF The
old States and, OF course, while that doctrine held
the old States utterly powerless, and derive no
benefit or advantage from the public laods.
We hear much said about the common expenditures OF
blood and treasure We hear maDy calls made upon the
patriotic fervor oil Congress and OF the people bui alie
all, il settles down into that Some OF The lanss were
granted for the benefit OF all the Saies Others were ac
quired for the benefit OF all the States and yet II Is un
Law fu unconstitutional, unbearabe, thai the government
should apply them for the benefit OF all the S.alesn
the only way which they be applied Tor the beneh
OF all the States.
am sir as sensible OF the injustice done the old
States as my friend from Georgia. | think that it
crying njus,ice-one which ought 10 be remedied !;
think il evil which ought 10 be corrected think il
unwise and unjust boarding of property from the
general purposes and benefit OF all the States OF this
Union. think that the old States have right 10 ask
and TO demand that reasonable portion OF this domain
shall be sci apart for their benefit But what ayas my
thinking so, my friend from Georga thinking SO! Our
States do not think sohat is the at least in great
al IE.r
do not think and while BY union among ourselves,
might, without wlthdrawlng-ior would not be will
ing to withdraw at all the assistance that we give 10 the
members OF The Union--without withdrawing that
assistance in any respect, might make large and lib
era dispositions OF this land Tor the benefit OF the old
States
Now, Mr. President am reduced to this situation |
would, if could do anything for the benefit OF the old
States in this respect would especially do 1t for my
own State. believe i 10 be constitutional. right, and
proper Ii but be constitutional, rig ht and prop
ibat the trustee, II he be trustees should dispose OF
the fund for The benefit OF his cesui que trust But
oyerfuled. What course avn 10 pursue! Am | TO
sit here and by reason OF my opposition the bills which
intended 10 advance the interests OF The States In
which the lands situated, show myself TO have ma
lgnaDt wish 10 check their prosperity! Certainly not
have such wish wish to have the lands disposed
OF for useful and just purposes wish TO have our own
just share Of them but we canno, gein. would unite
with the representatives OF the old States in making II
condition upon these graAs that we should have our
share OF them but they will not unite with me. And,
therefore, as cannot make any opposition which will
think have been unjusy overlook ed, why shond ex
hibt myself here making opposition al once ungracious
and booess aDet the advancement and the prosperity
OF any State In this Unon'
The senator from Maine Mr.. HAMIIN says that this
bill-oI another bill before this morning. do
know whch--as il departs from the original principle
which these grapls oil alternate sections made and
gives land for the purpose OF aiding The construction OF
road yond the line OF the road, and contiguous 10
IT, is in effect either disguised or undisgnsed applies aon
of lands or internal Improvements Well, sir. Inc egs
atlon not The less acceptable TO me that account
II you will not distribute these lands tho proceeds Of
then among all the States. why should you not apply
them to useful and advantageous parposeswhy not TO
purposes of internal improvement Surely, Is un-
constitutional 10 give them to the owners II must be con-
sliiuiional 10 give them some where else The govern
ment cannot be bound TO keep these lands.
My friend from Iowa has suggested what really al
last comfortable refection-ha,, inasmuch as the do
MAN, however large, rs not nexhausible, our brethren
and friends in the Stairs Will at length have ab-
sorbed the whole OF II, aud then the Inconvenience oil
making further grants 10 them, # II be an inconve
nence will have ceased But permit me 10 tell him that
that characteristic OF The public domain is not ds,n-
gushing characteristic which separates IL in character
IRON the public treasury lor Is as true wllh regard 10
the public treasury that after you have exhausted II all
you get more IRON H. The only difference is that
by to duties or taxation, we may put more money
into the treasury
equally sfcacious mode for putting lands into the
public domain. Here sands Mexico another treaty,
with hall million OF OF public lands ceded TO u.s.
will replensh the domain And after we have exhaust
ed that. have the residue OF Mexico and the whole
of South America 10 look 10. So that ] do not see, at
last that shall derive any particular or special ad
vantage from the prospect tha, the present public domain
will be exhausted finally, any more than could from
the fac, that the preseat OF money in the treasury
may be exhausted for assure yourself, SIR. we shall
take repIenish both OF them, aud keep the coun
try with an abundance o public lands 10 dispose Of and
| an abundance OF public money TO spend.
| have made these remarks IN answer 10 my friend
from Georgia, and the question which he says might be
asked by our constituents am OF those who have
never been disposed TO nierpose lacious l-naued
opposition 10 any OF this kind coald not have
done consistently with my own feelings, because have
no envy or desire obsfuct the advancement OF any
portion OF the people OF the country; and because
really see no objaciion IN principle to the application Of
public lands in this way Not that there have not been
Objectionable cases There have been SUCH and in
every mode OF expenditure there will be such. The
real objection is that while these grants made to the
new States, nothing Is given 10 the old. In my opinion
1t is unreasonable, and 1t is unjust Il is mlsappca
ton oil the public domain. 1t ought 10 be corrected
But we OF the old States have right TO complain for
large portion Of MS have voluntarily come 10 the coucu
sion that is unconstitutional TO give any portion OF
our own property
[ro Continued
OF Imposition.
VDE undersigned propcors OF hotels Washington advise
drIiy thrc