The daily union., 1854-02-05
SPEECH OF HON. A. MAXWELL,
or FLORIDA

ldV0f OF grants OF puDc ucitvetc
in the House Of Representatives, January "a, 1854.
! The House being in Committee oi the Whole the
state OF the Unon the motion to refer the Presidents an
nual me ssape being under consideration
/ MIR. MAXWELL said, htfS Nt71&
| MIR. CHAIRMAN; AS happen 10 be OF those who
entertain great respect for the Chief Executive OF ths
Union. and also for the eminent gentleman from ILLINOIS,
Senator DoUcLAs.l 10 whom aluson has 20 frequently
been made by The gentleman who has just you
[Mr OL,vsR OF Missouri il may be expected that
have rsen with the purpose OF replying to his REMARKS
Bat slr permit me 10 say that think best manifest
that respect by passing over those remarks 90 full OF
wrath and fury, in perfect silence Yet the dsjointed
mode OF presenting questions which Prevails here y 10
me d very unsatisfactory one Ii would be much bss-
ter-boh for proper understanding OF the Questions
ana measures presented Tor our consderaton and ior the
despatch OF businessf could have that Consecutive
debate which fresh and ripe for the ssue. Hui ~
hope for that must coaform 10 the practice,
and avail uiyse!f OF the latitude given in lha aeoR of
subjects on which The committee may Be addressed. 10
offer some remarks topic OF much interest to the
State have the honor 70 represent as well ~ 70 the
country al large. s@8 M ts
Ii Others prefer the discussion OF general questions Of
less immediate practical importance, leave them TO- en-
gage IN IT, Not because do not share with them deep
concern IN those ques!ioDs nor because do not feel
strong prompting 10 express my opinions IN regard TO
them but because prefer TO econonize the time allotted
this floor devote il chiefly to questions d.
feciy affecting the condition OF my constituents. and
tending to promote their welfare To fulfil their wishes,
next TO constitutional obligations, will BE- my hrst duty
shall therefore ask the indulgence OF the committee
while present Of the more important considers
lions which, in my Judgment, should govern Congress in
It's action upon the pubic lands especially in its
aconupon bills asking grants OF land to aid IN the con-
slruclion of railroads. r79 te ta&M
To undertake the discussion OF all the land questions
which have been broughtiuo this House would require
more time than CLAIM. Indeed the wide field into
which That discussion would lead, and the importance
OF many Of those questions independently considered,
would render il impossible that, in an hours time. more
than hasiy word could be bestowed each, il the ef
fort We're made to consider them all. The homestead
bill, and The bill for the graduation Of the price Of the
public lands already reported to this the bill Of
the distinguished gentleman from New York. Mr. BEN
NETr] proposing distribution OF the lands among the
States, and the bills asking grants Of lands for
different purposes all TEEN with points Of general inter-
est deserving mature deliberaon; and although may
no, be permitted 10 engage IN the discussion OF them,
SHALL at least have The privilege OF expressing my opn
ions upon them by my votes.
have already said, design to direct the attention
OF the committee to only one branch OF these questions
taat which relates to dsoslng OF the public lands 70
States Tor railroad purposes And let me say here. thatI
may not be deemed discourteous TO the Committee on
Public Lands who This subject in charge, that
not moved speak al this time by any desfe 10 foresta
Their action by any want OF confidence IN their aciOn
take the rs lha, oaes that may not IN the
uncertain chances O! getting the floor al some future te
Mrs the opportunity OF urging the justice and popriety OF
certain measures which the people OF Florida feefa
deep and absorbing interest as4s 7aNe ~
do not wonder, MIR. Chairman, that the public lands
have given occasion 10 much strife aud controversy
property 40 immense and OF character to excite inenbs
~ cupty OF that large class who devote themselves
wordy gsin would naturally become surrounded with
difficulties and give rise 10 troubles Of no ordinary i'm
port. As pecuniary interest. eagerly watched and
~
but gather around il elements OF dscord and contention.
But than ihs and above and beyond all mefcen-
ay and beyond the reach OF thoss
passions which contract the conduct of into sel6sh
ness and OF States into and worthy aimsthefs
rose which looked TO the character and to
the welfare OF The whole cosnry. free people. Just
launched into independent, political being anxious TO
cultivate and strengthen The spirit 10 which they were
sdeoted for that being and ANXIOUS also 10 promote the
growth and power OF their country, had higher duty to
perform than merely seeking TO NIL the public purse
waste wilderness was invtng settlement aad the arts
OF civilization Vast regions were spread out before our
statesmen 10 be divided into future cOmm0n Sealths.
The value OF the lands az mere property was but lit
tie compared with their value the destined seats
of great political communities wisdom which
qqired all the knowledge OF social philosophy, and of
political economy, necessary 10 meet the respons
bIties imposed by The trust which rested upon the gov
eminent, That the conflict between gasping avaricc and
tnat wisdom which sought TO combine social and political
advancement with the interests OF the national treasury
and with the interests OF the States in their united ca
pacity should have been an arduous one, was but
natural result II urne permed |, would be interesting
follow The history OF legislation respect TO the pub
lie lands, with the of rival inter-
ess, and TO ascertain the springs OF present policy
But as time does not permit shall for few moments
seek to direct The attention of the committee merely to
the results OF that policy.
Considering these results, connected with the pur-
poses which wise statesmen IN the management of these
lands must have had IN view, must refer to the report
OF the Secretary OF The Interior, ahrmei IN all its con-
illusions by the report and tabular statements OF the Com
missioner OF the General Land Office. have only to
pon 10 those reports 10 exhibit 10 YOU results not merely
gratifying pride, bot showing that there has been
wisdom connected with the management OF these lands
which has justified ard vndcaed the policy adopted by
the government, The large amount Of money yielded
the government from these lands and above the
expenditures in connexion with them, over and
above that which necessary for their purchase,
and necessary TO meet incidental expenses in their
msDag gement--tha vast amount, considering the ques-
ton IN The light OF reeuniary interest, furnishes the
strongest testimony in favor OF The policy which was
adopted and has been so long in operation Sixty mil.
hons profit to the government, and lands yet unsold
sufficient to yield, with this sum- aggregate of 03o7
5lS 246, will present showing which c5nnst be regard
ed condemping past legislation on this subject.
But we are not 10 contract our views in reference 10
this policy by simply con6ning them the pecunary
suits Look the effect OF tnat policy on the growth
and greatness Of our country.
II its ofiginaors designed Strengthen institutions.
10 develop the wonderful resources enbosoned in
soil give facility to the insrease OF population and 10
throw out those lands IN such way to advance the
social and political interests OF republic they ac
complished these ends. Look into the wilderness, 10
which have already efeired, as inviting the people of
this couny and ol all countries 10 lis settlement and I'M
ptoveneni II pesens TO ue those gratifying pc,u.es
which excite the patriotic PRIDE OF every American. In
dustfy wealth. power, and all the attendants of high
civilization, there pe.enied to our admiration. And,
sf when have heard gentlemen eloquently descantng
beloved America, could not bat connect with their glow
ing eulosies Tribute the wisdom and patriotism OF
tho.e by whose lel lsaion she bas been brought po-
.ition aud a dignity so envable and commanding and
could forget thai among the questions on which their
action required. and in which were involved much
oi veal OF To their country. were those pertain
IN nntIc f4uds That thew equal TO the