The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-01-20

about the year 1886; and then followed the
scene Of distribution amongst the States, and
the insane expansion of the currency by the
United States and the State banks, vast pro-
jects Of internal improvements, endless impor-
tations, even of agricultural products, based
upon q worthless carrency-a currency under
which debts were certain to be contracted, but
could not be paid suspensions, failures, gene
raj dlscredits and bankruptcy.
If We superadd to this picture, one of the
chief scenes of which is the land system of OUR
government, subsequent transactions in Con-
gress the soul Of its legislation for few years
past, by which four acres have been granted
to spectators where one has been demanded
by our immense emigration, we shall be aole
to form some idea OF the stupendous evil of
that system, and some conception of its powers
Of demoralizing our public men.
Liberality to ards those who desire to Guilt
vate the soil is demanded alike by humanity and
by sound economy. There isnO view which can
be taken Of the public domain as national
interest, which does not suggest the justice
and propriety Of throwing it open to those
who will cultivate and improve it. 1t is i'm
possible to prevent individual Spectators from
taking advantage Of the lioerality Of the gov
eminent. This, however, is an evil incident
to any rational scheme that may be adopted,
often reactng with fearful effect upon those
who thought to speculate out Of the actual
settlers. It is questionable, indeed, If grants Of
lands should not he confined to citizens of the
United States, and such has been the intention
Of Congress.
The greater evil of the whole land system ia
undoubtedly that which is seen in its influence
upon Congress, and Of course the extension OF
the same influence into all the relations of life.
1t converts great source Of revenue and a
boundlsss blessing to the people into nation
al curse-a blessing which, properly admins
tered and made the instrument alone of pro
vidipg homes for the homeless and revenue for
the whole people, would confer countless bene-
fits upon the human family. This immense
trust-this great gift to man--this noble patri-
mony bequeathed to the federal Union as a pa
triotic offering-is now An object Of fraud, Pc
culation, and an instrument of national degene-
racy. And ia there no retreat from, no rene.
NY lOIi tHIS bAdN Va hHtC tuc pcOpIc
of the United States, led on by Gen. jackson,
forgotten the fierce war they waged against the
Bank, because it was charged with influencing
members Of gress-because it became in
fact what its protector called it, a political
machine? 2"
How much more power for evil has the trus-
teeship Of our public domain over that of the
Bank! How much greater are its facilities for
corruption how much broader and deeper are
its channels of temptation 1t is in Congress
ceaselessly demanding its legislation, exact
ing its favors and buying its grants 1t has
sharpenod the appetites Of State Governors
AMI officers, who besiege our national Legisla-
ture every year in swarms, distribute favors to
members, promise fortunes and too often pay
the cash in hand. How else is Washington
filed with lobby whose power has become q
second estate of the republic, high in favor, in
credit, and in social position? Is it necessary
to search for the greatest cause Of this cxtraor-
binary state of things beyond the influence of
the public lands? And can it be said that the
national Legislature is untainted when the
moral sentiment Of Congress does not rebel at
association with its published aud notorious
tempters? Was it so thirty years ago? Are
men not known in these days by the company
they keep?