Washington sentinel., 1854-06-25

preserve the true federal spirit of the Constftu-
lion, which will forever bind together the States
in the same hushng spell of compromise and
tranquility, we will never intervene IN The man
agement OF the domestic affairs OF The local au-
thorltles In the Language of the President, which
conveys moral that cannot be TOO deeply i'm
pressed upon the public mind, or too iondly cher
ished In the public heart-''a strict adherance 10
the terms and purposes of the federal compact
oilers the best if not the only security for the
preservation OF our blessed Inheritance Of repre-
sentative liberty"
Is The case OF the insane one Of the certain eau-
merated O6Jectsn OF federal jurisdiction mentioned
in the Constitution p? TO be attained by tc sep
arafe prorisioas ofany" of the States, and Z not
proper to be propided for by local gisatoa2' Is il
one Of the specified cases OF concurrence Of fed
eral and Stale powers? Is il necessary 10 provide
for the insane in order 10 execute any express
power! If these interrogaories, suggested by
Inc commentaries on The Constitution of Two OF
ITS immortal trainers, can be answered aiirma-
lively, then we have the power 10 pass this bill
But, fthey cennot, then, in passing il, we abuse
our trust, usurp the powers of the local author-
Ties, and transgress the sacred boundary Of sepa-
ration between The Stale and federal jurisdictions
have thus endeavored briefly to portray my
constitutional objections 10 disposng ofthe public
lands in gratuilous donations; more especially in
providing for objects of exclusive local supern
tendence. might prefer many objections of mere
expediency, but they have been clearly and for
chilly presented by the President in his veto mes
saga production scarcely less admirable for
its purity of language than its soundness Of prin-
ciple. will only add by way Of satisfaction 10
such OF my constituents may feel disappointed
of the expected federal bounty, that the share OF
Alabama would be far less than she would be
entitled TO II the apportonment had been proper
tionate TO her share Of federal taxation /; and
that in order 10 restore the federal treasury SlO-
100000 diverted from it by this bill, she would
be compelled TO endure double the taxation of
other States that would get more public land
And TO magnify this gross Injustice she would be
confined by this bill in her selection 10 those bar
rem rocky mountains and sterile sandy plains
which compose the public lands yet unsold within
her limits, which would not command one dollar
or perhaps fifty cents per acre. while other States
holding no public lands within their limits, would
be able to dispose OF their scrip at one or more
dollars per acre, as purchasers would have choice
of The best lands in the Union. And in vet fur
ther violation of her rights, she would be con-
strained 10 surrender the five per cent Of the net
proceeds of the granted lands, although solemnly
dedicated by compact between her and the gene
raj government, TO internal Improvement within
her limits Hence, had | no constitutional scru-
pies, would be unwilling to surrender her rights
and abuse her interests by consenting to bargain
so inquitous and unjust. She is already 100
heavily taxed for federal bountes she does not
enjoy. | will not add to her burdens 10 increase
those bounties. | will not concede the choice OF
The public domain TO other States, and accept for
my own the refuse.
thank the President for exerting his constiiu-
tiona prerogative 10 defeat scheme whereby
Alabama would have been first delrauded of her
just share OF that common fund, the public do
MAN. and afterwards despoied by taxation of the
poor portion assigned her. But thank him more
for vindlcating The true principles ofthe Constitu-
ton, and upholdlng and maintaining the rights OF
the States, which are the surest bulwarks against
centrasm, and the safest guarantees Of popular
liberty.