Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-04-29
IaH NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
RICHMOND WING.
IT'D coRRuf-c>DENTs.
..in.., nust be ass.ressed 70
tn. Land OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Inconsistencies.

'If should be proposed In Congress to give quarter
section Of land every soldier engaged In the Eastern
war on both sides there would be danger of
is passing. Every bill to give away the auds Tor militia
~ services real constructive, services that have
eagerly rendered and reluctantly accepted with
rush. Sometimes good OBJECTS find favor In the dis
trt uon Of the land plumber they limited to local
purposes. Railroads endowed primarily TOR the oene
At Of spectators but incidentally tor the good OF con-
siderable actions education sometimes receives @ u
Il Is coofnej Western State, and internal improve
ment, u Of very local character But II you wish to
the constitutional scrupes OF the strict construc-
tonist propose bill for the benefit of the whole couu-
try, and for deserving object out Of which sp"cua-
tou has nothing to GAIN aud which has lobby influence
TO urge There would be little difficulty even in en-.
Dosing insane hospital in one Of the Western States;
but extend the justice to u the States Is uncon
stitutional or at least undemocratic.
We copy the foregoing article from the Providence
Journal merely to exhibit Of the strange incon
sistencies of the so-caed Democracy, upon the land
question It has always appeared to US remarkably
curious, how Democrats holding the doctrines they
do upon this subj ct could cousen to vote appropri-
atoms Of land to any purpose. They uniformly de-
clare in all their pa,fms that there is authority
in the constitution, permitting them to apply an acre
Of the public lands either to building railroads pro-
noting education, or relieving the unfortunate.
These lands, they say, must be reserved as sacred
fun set a'rt to pay the public debt, and meet the
ordinary expenses Of the government. l, would be
improper, unconstitutional, palpable infracton OF
the deeds Of session, and gross OUTRAGE upon right
and justice, to divert them from these objects Il Is
contrary to all Their ideas of duty and patriotism to ap
ply them to other purposes Their consciences would
trment them forever il they to countenance any
diversion of this common iund from the o' cts to
which they nosily proclaim it is exclusively devoted
They would be glad to aid the States and aid ind
viduals in all their projected inn rovements and e,ers
prses for the public god, tut how can they reject,
the admonitions of duty, and pay heed to the sll
small voice" of conscience.
Such is the reasoning and such the pious procstn.
tions with which Democrats through the press upon
the stump, and in their platforms deprecate every
thing like distribution Of the public lands. Blu
h,w does their conduct tally with their professions
Have appropriations Of land been made railroads
and other purposes through their influence and their
votes? Have the great Western States receiv cd n,
bounties in this shapef Has Douglas been unsuc.
ceSsfu in his efforts at grab game Tor Illinois Has
Missouri, and Michigan. and Wisconsin been turn,
empty away, their applications secuted their de-
mands unheededs Has the Constitution and the De-
mocratic conscience been preserved in tact and un
soiled in this matter Have, IN fact Democrats vo
t d away portion of the public domain: Has il
been strictly and scrupuousy applied to pay ii G
public debt, and defray the public expenses: Is 4
ected for the public to believe that such are real
the facts OF the case; If such be Democratic expec
tAton, then there is cruel and wan,on deception OF
their part, aud limentabe disappointment on the par
OF those who are green enough to confide in Their
re presentations
The truth is, Notwithstanding we have nothing but
Democratic Presidents and Democratic Congresses
the public lands are going going with immense and
increasing rapdity Westward they take their cours,
nothing for the East-nothing for the South-not
piece the size of garden for poor old Virginia L.
little while every acre will be gone and vet
W, are living under the reign Of party, whose DO
lticil principles, and whose tender con ciences wor
per nit the II t. appropriate rood for any purp So
un Ter heaven. How is this? How are we to unJer-
stand SUCH strange anomaly? The public lands are
being squandcred every day-the Democrats are not
responsible for it-and yet the whole legislation of
the country is in Democratic hands Not responsible
Where are their scruples, where that conscience of
which such boast is made
Any scheme for the benefit Of the Western States
finds no difficulty in procuring an appropriation of
land in its aid. But let something be suggested
'S'
at the hands Of Democratic administration. The
public lands become instantly sacred thing. Any
thing Of local character provided it helps the West
is proper and constitutional enough but any thino
general, contemplating the good Of the whole Union
is an outrage and deesable. We concur in the i1,a
that "theie would be little difficulty in even endow.
ing'an insane hospital in o! the Western States;
but to extend the same justice to all the States is
both unconstitutional and undemocra,ic :" accordin.
to the conscientious notions and SUI limo logic Of the
Pierce party. When will the peopls cease TO be i'm.
posed upon by such ridiculous jargon?
fB- The Lynchburg Republican has some spired
and judicous reflections in relation to newspapers and
editors, with which we cordially concur Il is inn
much the habit of vanity pulled and thick-hcaded
politicians and 50 called men Of influence in both
tn" political parties Of this country, to atenpt 4
control the public press and make cats-paws If its
conductors These gentlemen have wonderful opin