Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-09-26
MIR. HUNTER AND HIS LAND BILL.

A portion nj the Democratic press Of this State,
who style themselves StatcS-rigEts organs, but who
are no more reliable than many other Democratic
Journals, continue To assail the bin for graduating the
public lands as introduced by Senator Hustler Of this
State. They are truly represented ny II =" thin minori
ty," not numbering over Ctgh' III the state, and their
insane rawlings as To the violation Of principle and the
Constitution, the other journals which sustain the bill
can well afford to view with charity. Bold and rcck.
less assertions Rrc presented for argument, and not
one have had the courage tn prove by argument Ten.
titled to cnnsidcl ution,I and facts why the bill violated
the Constitution, and repudinted a Democratic prin-
ciplc. We have examined the bill infinitely, aud arr
c~lrarlr'of the opinion that it is the only mode that
could be adopted to settle the question, besides con-
Tuning many wcigh:y considerations to cn,itle i, 10
the confidence of the Democratic party. We are
ready TO admit that it is a relaxation Of that rigidnrss
with which Virginia politicians insisted on III dispos-
ing OF the public lands, but M 10 its bcin. n surrcn-
der OF the principles entertained, ~ n mistaken idca.
The Homestead feature amounts To nothing, for il re
qulres - cents for every mere, Il sufficient amount tn
cover NIL the government expenses, and this for lands
that have been i'll market for 20 Years. Those only
who are capable of holding land in the Stntes or Ter
ritorics where they are located ure permitted tn en-
brace the benefits of the bill: thus sustaining the
great States-rights doctrine of leaving every State t"
regulate ill., own concerns, without interference from
the general government.
The bill also allows the States to buy all the lands
within their limits ut government prices, and thus
forever Kidding Congress ii the vcxins question a.
10 their disposition. In all the light in which il is
viewed it cuinmciids itself ~ the favorable consider
alton of the democracy, and will defy the attempts Of
Wings aud 4 few Democratic s,irklrrs 10 successfully
weaken. The puautum III price IL III principle, and
rs the government receives the revenue derived from
the sale. and appropriatcs it to the purposes designed,
II" reasonable objection can be urged against the bill,
nor can II be successfully proven that il III any way
departs from the doctrine rntrrtainrd hv Nirgin!n.
The opponents nf This hill uo, satisfied with con-
dcmnrng II. assail the auihur and charge lin with
b%etraying his party and sacrificing tho honor az Nir.
Elnia. those attacks, however, will full harmless at
his feet III the arrows are sped from the bow uf ma
lie and envy. No public man in the country has pur.
sued a more consistent course aud escaped with less
obloQuy and personal detraction. No suspicion of dis
honor can be attached to his name, and the imputation
that he has introduced this bill rs q bid for the
presidency is too contemplate to invite notice or con.
sideration. His life and rise display no art or intrigue,
but he has attained his eminence by his cen,lemnnlv
character and the purity Of his political principles
Il. is the height of folly for a corPoral's guard OF de-
mocrats TO sink him in the estimation of the democ-
racy of Virginia. His position and commanding ta-
Tents are too well appreciated to be disturbed by ma
licious scribblers. In every crisis his eloquent voice
has been heard in defence of his country and her in
terests. He has been guided by those principles ever
cherished by Virginia democrats, and it is not TO be
as he has not heretofore borne al equlvo-
cal character, that he would involve himself in q
transaction that would subject him to the charge of q
falschcod and criminality. His high character a. u