The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1854-05-17
SPEECH OF
Hon. Sion II. Rogers,
OF NORTH caRoLIsA,
On ihe Land Distribution Hill.


April as, 1851.
The House having under considera.
tian (" A bill granting lands equally I,
the several States to aid in the con.
struction Of railroads. aud for the sup
port of schools
Mr.. .RoeRRs sails Mr.. Speaker, i
desire to submit some remarks in re.
gard 10 the policy which has been pur.
sued in relation to the public lands,
and to give my views, humble as they
may be, as 10 what disposition should
be made Of that vast property by the
future Legislation Of Congress.
In doing so. shall refer to the past
Legislation Of Congress in connection
with this subject. aud will necessarily y
be led into a train Of discourse not only
familiar in this Capitol, but usual in
political discussion. | can scarcely
hope, then. sir, to say any ything new in
this connection. The greatest men oil
our country have discussed ii. Years
ag1 great solictude was felt and ex.
pressed as to the manner in which the
vast domain which then belonged tc
our country, aud that which would be
acquired IN the natural course of event,
growing out Of our institutions, should
be disposed Of.
The great statesman Of the West
who is now no more, said, in speech
in the other end Of the Capitol, "Lony
alter we shall cease to be agitated by
the tariff, ay, after our manufacture:
shall have acquired a stability aud per.
lection which will enable them to cope
with the manufactures Of any other
country, the public lands will remain
a subject Of deep and enduring inte.
rest. In whatever view we contem.
plate them, there is no question of such
vast Importance" When expressing
these sentiments, that statesman saw
with prophets vision the vast acqui.
sitions which would be made to our
territory, and the great necessity of set
tllng then upon a system of policy by
which justice would be done to all the
States.
In my humble judgment gross injus
tice has been done to the old States
and very much lear, from the action
Of Congress for the last few years, and
from its course as indicated during thi.
session, no change of policy can be ef.
fected by which the old States will be
benefited to any great extent. While
! have seat upon this floor, | feel that
it is my duty to use every fair means
in my power to effect such change.
Permit me here to say to member.
representing land States. that would
not, if in my power, do them injustice
rejoice in the growth of our whole
country; rejoice in the growth Of ev-
cry section of it, East, West, North,
or South. We are realizing, in the
growth Of the West, what our father,
saw in the future. Their highest hope,
are being fulfilled. Ours is great
growing, and powerful nation and
hope | shall be the last man to check
her in her onward progress. Ii Con
esslegislates wisely. judiciously, and
equitabiy, in accordance with the prin
ciples Of our Constitution, we see bu
the beginning Of the end.
MIR. Speaker, | am insfayer of dis
tributing the lands, or the proceeds q
the sales thereof, among the States
according to their representation upor
!: this floor. ! think, by the Constitu'
tion, such power is clearly given t.
Congress, and that it is right, proper
and just to exercise it. lhe language
Of the Constitution is this:
"Congrsss shall have power to dispose Of an,
make all nsejful rules AMI regulations respecting
the territory or other property belonging TO th,
United STATES"
In speech delivered upon this loa
by the honorable member from. Soutl
Carolina, EMr. Orr, ] on the s4th o