Weekly national intelligencer., 1854-04-08

These grants Except for military services are for the
benefit of only part of the States and the old States
have been wholly excluded.
The swamp lands granted to California are mary mil
lions Of acres but have not been returned and are
included above
Had the land granted to the land States and the Terri
oo2 46l acresbeen sold ut Government price
it would have Amounted to $153 84S 054 The share
New York in this according to representation would have
been $21 ,693, s24
If there is any constitutional objection to the grants
that have been made it must be because they have been
made exclusively for the benefit Of part of the States
and not for the benefit of all and thereby the rights of
the old States (which have been entirely excluded have
been not only preudiced but far denied and defeated
This, if not unconstitutional, is certainly unjust But
that objection does not apply in th instance The ap-
pcaon is for all. Had it been ony for the benefit Of
the land States, it is probable would have with
more favorable consideration.
The power of Congress to make thu grant applied for
be denied without first estabIhng that the Con-
sttution does not mean what says md that the Pres
have approved and the courts have enforced
stitutional laws this subject for tie last fifty years
without defeating unconstitutional and void
oneha Of the legislation of Coness in relation to
the public lands
Has TO ExpEDIESR.
This application is for most useful Ind praseworthy
purpose in which all interested; one that appeals
directly to the best sympahes of the human heart against
the merits OF which even its opponents say they have
thing to urge Their objections arise from other consid-
erations. They put in plea Of want of power. That
has been answered They ntepose argument that oil
manner of applications would be made if this grant
ed. This hardly merits serious reply. All of
applications have been made and have been granted.
The lands are being squandcre granted and given away
with the most reckless and extravagant profuson.
Among all these cannot grant be made for the public
goods Is it oil required to be bestowedupen spectators
and corporations? Besides is not Congress competent
to judge when grants should be made and when they
should be denied. Are refuse proper applications
for fear improper ones will be made!
The members Of this committee reporting against this
grant prepared to report in favor Of grants for rail
roads, at this session. sufficient to take than fifteen
million of acres Of the public lands in addition to all be-
fore granted. Where do they find authority to make
those grants than this one! Yet all these grants
they regard as expedient and constitutional The land
all the proper States and for the proper purposes
therefore, the grants constitutional They also sup
ported the homestead BILL Was that expedient and
stuonal, upon the principles now laid down in their
report? .."' 'r>..
V.-As TO RAILROAD GRANTS. *.
1t is urged these constitutional and proper because
uuins il lost bJ making toI II this true, it is
not perceived how it would effect the constitutional right
make the grants, (not whether they wisely
wisely made.) But nothing often and confidently
asserted was ever more Take, for example,
the Illinois Central railroad most favorable for those
relying upon this argument The grants for that road
were as follows: >@...:.
To Illinois 595 O5S acres
To Mississippi 737,1 $50
10 AlaDana. 4l9,5ZS
Amount granted to that road. ....a, 75l,7ll 4"
Reserved to be offered at double price: ..
In Illinois. 22S 921 acres
In Mississippi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 2S8,495
In Alabama. l67,045
Amount to be offered at double price. ,651 874