The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-05-27

ton Of half century upon this Subject is idle is ,le
short of the ridiculous 10 talk about the of authority
IN Congress TO pass this bill. have only express tho
hope that may receive the sanction Of
Jorty both houses, and become law of the land
withdrawing the objections Of the President
MIR. HUNTER. Mr.. President, understand that the
from Vermont proposes 70 postpone the considers
ton Of this subject until Monday next.
Mr. FOOT. Immediately after the question on the mo-
ton Of tho senator from Virginia pra. ten thousand extra
copies sha be disposed Of will submit that notion his,
believe, lie precedent motion.
Mr. HUNTER Of course; therefore the present ~ mol
an occasion to enter upon the merits OF the BILL when The
day for the consideration of the question: the irends
OF the administration Think sir, will be able, and they
WILL at least, be willing TO meet tho gentleman upon ssuo
dictate the message the fault will be that of the Presl
dent, or of the nesssgc, but Of themselves.
Mr Presiden cannot permit the present occasion 10
the course which the Preaident Of the United States has
pursued in regard to this bill In my onion, the thanks
Of the people due to him for arresng measure which,
a. happy TO believes has few parallels IN tho past MS
tory Of legislation, and for n,eTposns himself between
the constitution Of tho country and blow, tho mishevous
ELECTS q which i would have been difficult = over estimate
mo barrier which tho constitution has imposed between the
Jurisdiction Of the general and the State goyernmen
des service which entities him TO tho grateful apprscAion
OF the American people, for he makes good tho only cod-
tons upon which the experiment If free government which
we are now trying can result happily and successfully
you will but venture TO say. that behind its boundaries
lie covered and protected Of human happiness and
human prosperity than defended by ramparts of
brick and And sir he who succeeds successfully
defending and protecting these the moral defcnces OF
country entitled thanks of the people than the
mere man of who holds and maintains it's military
lines #s#
Il is in my opinion, the danger Of the mss that in our
eager pursuit after wealth and all those material objects IN
which we take keen interest," prone to forget
the moral bases upon which rest happiness and our So
curty must be permitted 70 say, that in the whole
course OF my experience in Legislative life, think have
known period in which less regard paid to the
limitations imposed by the constitution upon the powers OF
his government Nor need go further for an illustration
Of that proposition than the very bill which under
agents Of the general government; which assumes to say
upon what conditions they shall their own local and
municipal powers and those conditions to be prescribed W
this federal governmental bill which founded, if upon
any principle ALL upon the assumption that The right to
dispose Of the public lands unlimited power vested In
this government or that it Is limited only by tho positive
prohibitions Of the constitution So far AZ the public lands
concerned this supreme, and 90 far a.
they can afford the means may assume ana exercise any
power which not positively prohibited by the constu
uon.s ta. aeise gNA
But said BEFORE it is my purpose at present to
enter at large upon the consideration of tho merits OF this
may do at another time, when the whole
question fairly before have felt, however, that 1t
due to the President to make my public acknowledge
him for the manfu discharge of his duty upon this
rejoice that have made upon princ-
pe and that something has been done to awaken the Amer
lean people the consideration Of the nature of the title and
the happiness and the prosperity which they enjoy
ing am glad that is issue of principle great moral
and political issue, upon which the President, and most
not ALL of his friends may be willing and ready stake
themselves before the country.
Mr.. TOOMBS. Mr. President, do not purpose to enter
into discussion of this question, until the Senate has at
least sgni6ed its wish take up for consideration; but
desire express my full and hearty concurrence IN the NEE
sage upon your table II offers prospect Of hereafter adj
mnistcng tins great national fund upon some sound con-
stutona principle. There be leading ideas in
the message The first that the public lands and Their
proceeds subject the constitutional restraints IN
their appropriation by Congress AZ any other funa or
money the treasury of the United States That be-
Ieve be sound principle. The second idea Is, that IN
the of the ITSELF should be governed
by the same rules by which liberal and enlightened pro-
pretor would be governed in the management OF his estate
for his own interest
BY observing these two sound principles which
forced by the President shall settle this question upon
solid and proper foundation lappehend that many OF the
cases which the from Vermont Mr. FooTl has
cited authorities IN conavenuon Of the principles OF the
message will be found be in conformity to the one or the
other of these sound principles and not they fall
without thcm the burden will be upon the senator himself
and wcghty and heavy isto show that they come
within the constitution of the United States. II true there
may be much found in the oosehe squandcrng,
may IT, offensive of this branch OF the
pubic property of the United States There may be even
found for this bill and for it's being passed with
full consideration when 1t is remembered that we have de-
parted especially within the last eight years from all
sound principles the Of this fund. Very
many Of the which the senator from Vermont has
cited violations and departures from principle which
which has brought upon itself the condemnation OF the Pres
ident OF the United States.
surprised at the senator's apparent censure OF the
President OF the United States for sending in his veto under
the circumstances Whether he gentleman may consider
that power be wisely rcposed 10 the President or not
given by the constitution full ample, and comPete
the senator's power vote for against the
bill when j, is before him. The constitution provides that
every bill which shall have passed the House OF Repre-
and the Senate shall before 1t become law, be
submitted the President of the United States he APP
prove he shall sign but If not he shall return IT. with
his objections" That is what he has DONE say this
power the President full ample, complete, and nn-
(and was intended be) that OF the senator
from Vermont any other member Of either branch OF the
legislature, for against the BILL according to his
judgment OF s constutonaty and expediency The lam
gusgc OF the constitution broad 1t gives the rresident
the power clear terms grants the Legislative
power to the houses Of Congress-.
say air. that this message promises to put the admins
OF this great national fund.- the public domain upon
will give il that dcbera,ion which the constitution intended
that should have. The effect Of the veto IL only 10 SUBJ
init the bill scrutiny, and calmer consd-
and deberaiion OF this body The gentleman says
has passed Senate but this Is the first time that
il has been submitted the President This branch of
Congress and the other may have passed it once before
think has passed. great many other measures have,
which have my appreciation, and that Of grcat
many other gentlemen. Oenmes business IL conducted
way that Of raise these great ques-
tons The grave and important considerations which IRE
urged by the President of the United States have not been
brought before many gentlemen OF this body doubt
that many Of hem calm REVIEW when the prospect
Is held out Of putting the Of the pubic lands
sound constitutional basis, will abandon their own
previous course and in placing upon basis more
comfortable TO the constitution Of the United States When
the Senate think proper take up this question: shall de-