The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1854-03-15
NUMBER A..

- you propose 10 DO, TO all tho destitute
lmong those who arc vigorous and robust
enough to 60 and take possession of and
occupy them if we may do all this, why,
n the name of common justice and OF
common humanity, may we not grant
ands, in equitable proportions, to all tho
States, embracing the new as well as tho
old, to aid them in making suitable pro-
visions for the proper care and treatment
Of the thirty thousand of our fellow.bc-
lngs who are in n more helpless and de-
plorable condition than any other class
upon whom your bounty has ever been
bestowed
If it be said that Government receives
q consideration for these land grants. in
in the enhanced value Of its remaining
lands, By the increased settlements and
improvements, the argument applies with
equal force in the present case. You
are furnishing another means, an addi.
tional agency to encourage and promote
settlements, and thereby to create an in.
creased demand and to give greater
value and more ready sale for your other
lands The exercise OF the power claimed
in this ease comes within the rule of tho
most strict construction, that tho Fed
cral Government, as the trustee Of tho
public lands, may dispose of them only
in such manner as a proprietor would do
i'll the exercise of sound discretion.
Mr. President. if l may be allowed to
express tho opinion, this is the only
measure which is likely to command ia.
vorable action of Congress by which tho
old States will receive directly any share
or benefit from tho public domain, which
is the common property Of all tho States.
l am not complaining of injustice to the
non-landholding States but, with tho re-
cords Of its acts before me, 1 feol au-
thorized to say that Congress has dealt
literally, to say the least, with tho land
States in the way Of grants to them. Tho
grants to the new S!atos and Terrific
res for various purposes amounted in
the aggregate, on the 30th Of june last,
to fraction short of one hundred and
thirty millions of acres. hope the pol
icy Of the Government will always be
characterized by spirit of lberality to.
wards them but, at the same timo, that
it will not be forgetful of proper regard
to what is just and due tho old States Of
this Union.
Now, when the new States arc asking
the votes Of the representatives Of the
old States for grants of other millions Of
acres of this common domain to aid them
in the construction of various lines Of
railroad and for other purposes, is it
vain or unreasonable expectation on our
part that the representatives from tho
new States sill characterize their action
by spirit Of justice and lberalty in
chcorfully according to US the small por-
tion of this common fund which is called
for by the provisions Of this bill for an
object so commendablo and worthy, and
in which they themselves are to enjoy an
equal participation "Thoy who ask
justice must do justice" is a maxim Of
policy as well as morality, even in legis-
lation. | am not prepared to believe
that honorable Senators from the new
States will assume the position Of de-
manding all for themselves and denying
everything to u.s. 1t gives me pleasure,
indeed, to bear my testimony to tho very
kindly and generous disposition of those
Senators from the new States upon the
Committee on Public Lands towards this
bcnefcent measure
Mr. President if it wero needful or il
it wore possible to invest the proposition
before us with any additional interest
aside from its intrinsic merit. it is found
in the consideration of its origin. 10
comes commended to cur attention and
our regard in the memorial of an accom-
plishcd and gifted lady, the prime and
energy of whose years have been devoted
to the study and amelioration of the con.
dition of this most unfortunate and neg
lcctcd class of people. She has visited
in person nearly State in this Union, and
made herself acquainted with the condi-
and personal history of more than twen-
ty-fve thousand of this class of persons,
most of whom were found in lamenta.
BILE state of deslitution and neglect
Fitted by rare endowment. to have at.
tanned popular enlinence and applause in
the higher and more inviting depart
ments of life to have moved among tho
more attractive and admired scenes ofits
proudcst and gayest circles, her days and
years and au ample private fortune have
been expended in seeking out and allie.
Waiting the condition of those whom the
world beside had forsaken. With tho
vigilance and devotion of Il patron saint,
she has sought out the stricken maniac
10 jails and in poorhouses, in private
cells, in garrets, and in dark dens, often
in rags, and in chains, and administered
to their physical wants and poured tho
accents of inspiring hope and consolation
into their dark and troubled spirits. Lika
an angel Of mercy, her visitatious by day
and by night have been among the abodes
where poverty and wretehedness and
wild delirium dwell. This, sir, is but a
feeble tribute to the purity aud disintcr-
estedness Of motive, to the excellence
and energy of purpose, to the moral he
roism and true nobility Of character OF
her whose prayer is before you in her
memorial for the aid of the Governments
in behalf of suffering humanity. Look
at the picture which that memorial pre-
sonts look at your abundant means;
look at what you have done and are daily
doing for others. then let those who c;n
reject the prayer of that petition.
A word or two now, MIR. President, in
reference to the amendment offered by
the Senator from Indiana, (Mr. Petite
which proposes to limit the opriation
exclusively to the States in which tho
public lands lie The proposed amend
ment is incompatible with The main OIL
ject Of the bill, and inconsistent with Nj
it's provisions. 1t is an adversary pro
position, and as such it may I've consid-
erod rs coming within the parliamentary