Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-03-17

ldAllo u VI Nlt uldllti lioRootd W Atiio ttAts
why shall we hesitate to pass it Human
iiy, public policy, and impartial justice alike
demand the adoption Of the measure. Pass
the bill, and the sentiment of the country
will respond to it as one of the most Just
and beneiicent acts of your Legislation. Pass
this bill, and it will accomplish more sub
stantial aud lasting good, 1t will alleviate
more suffering and sorrow; yes, sir,
it will illnmine, with the rays of hope
more dark and desolate places of anguish
and despair than an equal appropriation of
your public lands in any other manner or for
any other purpose.
1t is no argument against this proposition
to tell us that 1t is the duty and the proper
business of the States to provide for and to
take care of their INDECENT insane. We do
not propose to take from them that duty,
but the rather TO encourage and aid them in
the discharge of it. And with the multiple
ed examples and precedents before US 1t is
quite too late to make serious question Of
the power of Congress 10 grant such AID.
If Congress may give lands to the States to
aid them in building roads, and canals, and
railways to support schools, and academies
and colleges; TO improve streets and alleys,
NAA lNhIl NAAAh7f ia HAAAtAhitl iVihlAtlfN ~
Il may give sites for court houses and
churches, and cemeteries TO particular towns,
or countless or parishes; If it may grant an
nuitics, aud pensions, and bounty lands to
particular individuals the very terms of
which Imply gift, or bounty and indepen-
dent Of any contract obligations if II may
give money aud employ its ships to furnish
provisions to the sufferers from earthquakes
or from hre or famine in foreign lands, as
well as in our own; If 1t may give lands for
the benefit OF local asylums IN Connecticut
or Kentucky; If it may give lands, as you
propose TO do to all the destitute among those
who are vigorous and robust enough TO 20
and take possession Of and occupy them; II
we may do all this, why, IN the name Of
common Justice and Of C. nmon humanity,
may we not grant lands, IN equitable proper
tons, to all the States embracing the new
as well es the old, to aid them IN making
suitable provisions for the proper care ana
treatment OF the thirty thousand of our icl-
low-beings who are IN more helpless and
deplorable condition than any other class
upon whom your bounty has ever been be-
slowed
Ii 1t be said that Government receives a
E
enhanced value OF its remaining lands, by
the increased settlements and Improvements.
7 the argument applies with equal free in the
present case. You are furnished another
means, an additional agency to encourage
and promote settlements, and thereby Ia
create an increased demand and 10 1--WE a
greater value aud more ready sale for youi
other lands. The excise of power claimed
iu tins case comes within the rule Of the
most strict construction that The Fedora
Government, as the trustees Of the public
lands, may dispose of them only in such a
manner as proprietor would do in the exer
else Of sound discretion.
Mr.. President. IT may be allowed 10 ox
press the opinion, this is the only measure
winch Is likely to command favorable actor
Of Congress By which the old States wa. re-
celye directly any share or benefit from the
public domain, which Is the common proper
p 50 of all the States. am not complaining
oi injustice 10 he non-andholdng States
but, with the records Of its acts before me
feel authorized TO say that Congress hai
dealt literally, to say The least, with the Lame
States in the way OF grants to them. The
grants to the new States and Territories To-
FAiANNe tAN f'-N7 utilNNNAFA III AtlN a. Ut
gate, on the a0th of June last, TO a fracuoi
short OF one hundred aud thirty millions O
acres. ] hope the policy Of the Government
will always be characterized by aspirit of Ito
erallty towards them; but at the same timc
that 1t will not be iorgetiul of proper IL
gard to what IS just and due 10 the old State
Of this Union.
Now, when the new States are asking tn
votes OF the representatives OF the old State
for grants Of other millions Of acres of ihi
f common domain TO aud them in the construc
. tlon Of various lines Of railroads and for oihe
purposes, Is IL a vain or unreasonable cXpcc
tat,on on our part that the representative
from the new States will'characterIze then
action by a spirit OF justice aud lberality Il
cheerully according 70 Us the small portion
/ OF ihis common fund which is called for b
the provisions Of this bill for an object -
commcudabe and worthy, and in which thr
. themselves are 10 enjoy an equal parucipi
ton? They who ask justice must do jas
tee is a mlXim of policy as wei as AMOR
atty, even IN legislation. ! avn not prepare
% believe that honorable Senators from ih
new States win assume the position of de
nlandng all for themselves and denying eve
~ thing 10 us 1t gives me pleasure, indeed
TO bear my testimony TO the very kindly an
, generous disposition Of those Senators lioi
the new States upon the Committee on Pub
he Lands towards this beneicent measure.
Mr, President, II 1t were needlul, or If
were possible to invest the proposition beior
US with any additional interest aside iron
ts intrinsic merit, It Is found in the consid
, Grafton OF its origin. Ii comes commend e,
Go our attention and our regard in the memo
/ rial Of an accomplished and gifted lady, III
. prime and energy Of whose years have bee
devoted 10 the study and ameloraton of tn
condition oil this most unfortunate and neg
lected class Of people. She has visited j
person nearly every State in this Union, an
made herself acquainted with the condliio
and personal history Of more than twenty-fv
thousand OF this class Of persons, most o
whom were found in a amentabe state c
+ destl-uilon and neglect. Fitted by rare en-
, dowments to have attained popular eminenc
and applause in the higher and more invli
t ing departments of life; 10 have moved a
/ mong the more attractive and admired scene
J OF ITS proudest and gayest circles her days an
years and an ample private fortune have bee
expended IN seeking out and alternating tn
, condition of those whom the world beside ha
| ioTsaken. Wl'h the vigilance and deyuilu
OF patron SAINT she has sought out Tia
, stricken maniac in jails and in poor-house.
IA private cells, in garrets, and IN dark den.
often IN rags and in chains. aud administere
f to their physical wants, and poured the ac
cents OF inspiring hope and consolation int
/, their dark and troubled splrt. Like an an
, gel OF mercy, her yisiations by day aud b
night have been among the abodes wher
poverty and wretchedness and Wild deler
um dwell. This, sir, Is but feeble tribute {
the purity and dlsInterestedness- Of motiy,
to the excellence ana energy of purpose,
the moral heroism and true nobility of chaI
acler OF her whose prayer is before YOU /
her memorial for the aid of the Goyornmel
IN behalf OF suffering Humanity. Look q
the picture which that memorial presents
look at your abundant means; look at wha
you have done and are daily doing for other
/ then let those who can reject the prayer
r that petition.