The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1854-02-22
REMARKS or MR BADGER.
Il Ssaas.. an he ssh i,.l..

Ma hAp9En. i wish 20 answer me
question which was put BIZ NV frienh
from Georgia Mr. Da0sonl when this
subject Was befsrs the Senate in the
earlier part VI the dAy. The question
was this /: How We should answer.
fhnse Of us who represent the old States.
% our constituents for sitting quietly
:, and seeing all these appropriations
az public lands made Tor purposes Of
internal improyementin the new States.
while no p0rtian Of the public damair
vas applied OF set apart for the beIe-
fl of fhnsr which we represent. !
want 10 tell nv friend the motive which
Influences me. and the reason which.
IN nv judgment. renders il necessary
thar We. who represent the old States.
should submit topursue the same course.
and ieel ourselves without remedy. IL
i this. sir: The representatives 81. the
new States have ingeniously contriyed
- induce large portion Of those gen.
I.emen Who represent the old States To
sdapt the opinion that We have no con-
stitutional power to make an applica.
tiun uf the public lands for the benefit
III Ill the States. They have this in
genious system laid down. do aot
know whether YOU will call il argu-
iaent or reasoning-that the lands con.
.iitute fund. held BY the General Go.
vernment a an agent or trustee for the
aenetit of all the States; the proceeds
81 these lands are no longer needed 10
assist in defraying the ordinary expcn.
Gitures of Government. in which all
The States are concerned, because our
Treasury is oyerilowing; brt IL Is ut
terly unconstitutional. IL is illegal, Il
i n violation Of the duty Of the trustees
70 apply the lands. 10 themselves, or
the proceeds Of the lands. for The bcne.
iii OF all the States. for whose benefit.
nevertheless, aud for whose benefit
oGly, the trustee holds the lands.
Nav, sir. see the result Of that pro-
position. Ii is unconstitutional 20 mp.
pi, the proceeds Of the public lands. Or
any portion Of the proceeds Of the pub
lie lands, for the benefit Of all the
states. IL is unconstitutional 20 APP
propriate the lands themselves. for the
benefit Of all the States. Well, now,
III. tie momcnt you have cot these two
propositions assented TO by large
proportion Of gentlemen who represent
the old States, permit me to inquire
what resource is left for as but simply
to n by quietly and permit the lands
10 lie disposed of for the benefit Of the
new states: II i unconstitutional TO
give Us ans share, interest, proportion,
or benefit in the fund held for our be.
nefit in common with the other States.
We do not need it to dclray the expen-
ditures Of The Government ; aud Il u
unlawful, unconstitutional, and wrong
N rive Us the benefit Of il in any other
form. That doctrine is agreed 10 by
majority Of the representatives of the
old States; and, Of course, while that
doctrine IS held, the old States are ut
,erlY powerless, and cannotderlre an,
senciia or advantage from the public
lands.
We hear much said about the ex'
pcnt;tnrc of the common blood and
treasure we hear many calls made I,
the patriotic iervor ct Congress and
of lie people: but, after all, il settles
down into that. The lands. some 0
thcm, were granted for the benefit 0
All he States, and others were acquir
ed for the benefit of all the States
And vet il is unlawful, unconstitution
al. unbearablc, that the Government
should apply them for tie beaekt q a
tie States III the only way in whics
they can BE- applied for tie benefit .
, all the States.
Non, sir, am as sensible of the in
Justice done to the old States as Is N,
friend from Georgia. ] think It Is
CRYING injustice; one which ought I,
bc remedied. | think it an evil which
ought TO Be corrected. | think it al
uawise and unjust boarding OF the pro
pcrtg fsom che general purposes OF he
r.eiif 10 all the States IN this Union
liitiik tic Uiu nav s'sshS =
ask, 10 demand. that a reasonable por
tion of this domain shall be set apar
for their benefit. But what avalls IN.
thinking so, or my friend from Georgii
thinking SOP Our States do not thlnl
so. That is the case, at least in grea
many instances, in regard to the oil,
States. Their representatives DO 10
think %. And while, by Union q
monv ourselves, we might, witbog
withdrawing--tor ! would not be vii
ling to Withdraw at all the as>istane
which We give to the new members 9
the Union-that assistance at any time
it seems to ne, make large and llbera
appropriations Of these lands Tor III
benefit of the old States.
Now, Mr.. President, | am reduce
t. this situation. ! would, i | could
III ANYTHING for the benefit of the Of
states | would especially do it 70
Il n f.xl h..