Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-12-30
Ths Pubic Lands-What Shall BE- Done.


strange indifference by the people, is bcgi inning at
hast to attract very deep and general attcntion-
The public press Of both parties are now earnestly
engaged in discussion Of this important and nte-
resting subject Protests and denuncations, strong
and vehement being uttered from one end of tho
Southern country to the other against the par tia
unjust and Ubiquitous system which has heretofore
prevailed in all our legislation in regard to this vast
and magnificent common fund. The people unver-
sally, and even many Of the politicians of the Demo
cratic party, begin to perceive and appreciate the
urgent necessity for immediate and radical change
oil policy ON this subject. And VIC offer hearty con-
EXAMINATIONS to our taxridden and over burdened
citizens upon this suspicious and cheering fact We
fancy that we almost the dawn Of brighter day
Tor Virginia and the South-the Inauguration Of
Juster, wiser, q more benefcent policy by which
Zach and all the Southern States will be allowed and
invited to partake Of the benefits of trust which was
designed for them equally with their sister States of
tho North and Northwest
The indications, indeed are encouraging even here
In Virginia that the Democratic press and politicians
are beginning to open their eyes to the rights as we'll
rs the wants and necessities Of the State in connec-
ton with the land policy OF the General Government
They begin to realize the vital and pressing impor-
lance Of some change other before the fatal fact
stands revealed that an acre of the public lands
remains, but that the whole of them have been ruth
iessy and recklessly squandered away upon the new
States while the old-Virginia included-have been
leff without much a cents worth--despoied
and robbed to their very faces of what was so Justly
and rghtfully their Better late than never that
common sense and common justice should triumph
over partisan prejudice and empty unavailing alb
straction. Better late than never that Virginia,
bowed down and writhing under the weight of heavy
and even oppressive taxation, should be permitted
by the dominant party to turn her anxious eyes to
the only source of relief now within her reach.
As cheering evidence of disposition on the
part of the Democracy to go in for change of poll
cy in regard TO the public lands, we give place to
the following article from the Valley Democrat an
uncompromising advocate Of the State rights creed
Of the Southern Democracy. 1t says:
"fom the exhibit Of the report Of the General Land
Office, learn that forty millions Of acres of pub.
Lie lands have been disposed OF during the last fifteen
mouths, Of which only ten 'SHOas produced an equva
lent in csshthe balance having been consumed IN the
shape Of military grants and gifts various railroad mo-
nopoles This shameful robbery OF the Treasury by spe
ouators ought not 10 he submitted much longer. The
public lands instead of being applied the objects con
templaed by the Constitution and deeds OF cesson are
squandcred away upon railroad companies and heartess
specuators who sell them again prohts
thus retarding the actual settlement OF the and
compelling settlers 20 pay profits these soul
hss corporations. The time has for the Democratic
party either require rigid observance OF creed up
the part OF all portions OF the country abandon its
policy altogether This OF corruption and spocu-
hton should be stopped in way or other or soon
Abe whole public domain will be consumed by the grasp
ing apacty Of SPECTATORS the dctrment of the coun
Try and the government"
We have admitted in the foregoing paragraph all
we have asserted Sontended for on this sub
Iceland admitted too, in all its length and breadth
Over forty millions Of Of public lands we are
told, have been disposed OF during the last fifteen
months-and howl Why, ten millions of acres on
ly have been sold, while the remainder, amounting
TO thirty millions of acres have been consumed in
the shape Of military grants and gYts to Udrious |
railroad ompdHies This is all literal truth but |
yet the state of the for the last fifteen months
Is not whit than it has been for many very
many years before. The Northwestern States have |
constructed nearly the whole Of their railroads by
means Of donations Of public lands to them by Con-
gress. In fact the Northwestern politicians claim
these grants not only matter Of policy, but as
thing of right and they have thus far obtained for
their respective States all that they have ever asked
for. This being so, it is surely time as our Valley |
contemporary suggests, that the Democratic party
should abandon their policy" on this subject, and
unite with the Wings and Americans in the effort TO
put an end TO the wholesale system Of pillage and
robbery which now prevails.
We observe also that the Philadelphia PennsyIra- |
aiaA-the reputed confidential organ of Mr.. Bucha-
nanis beginning 20 speak on this vital question
in tone at once reasonable, just and firm tasks
"s il not apparent that serious evils are resulting
serious moral questions arisng-frOm tho manner in
which the National Legislature is disposing Of the
public domain Are there not those who feel deeply
impressed that in the multiplied schemes proposing |
large grants oflands to various incorporated bodies
the most demOralizng effects upon the country are
sure TO followr Congress owes it to itself Without
adsaneing another sep, fully TO consider whether the
people desire and demand such appropriations or not
Great distru1 is beginning to be t6h |
all ocer the country Of tie integrity n our Lqnd |
policy, FOWegfaL corporations haze sprung like
gp'Gie into ,0ealh aad influence uader its svay.-
Rich DteR hare become riehcr--tho Jelo haoe been
~ actual 6snefciaries, while the many-the stocL-
iotfeys an the original estdte-haoe IooEed on anil
eoadered hoo q system Of equality could Sork out
neh dispyopoyfioHafe beBcft"
Such is the language held by this Pennsylvania
Democratic organ in reference to the unequal unjust
md aagitious policy pursued by Congress in refer
'nce TO the disposition Of the public lands While the
iew States have grown rich and prosperous and pow
rfnl by means Of magnificent donations Of the pub.
" iAnoA, the old uhifteeni uough having the same
tights and the same interests in them, have been
hrust aside without the grant Of scarcely an acre;
and what IL their condition IN consequence? What,
In brief IN the condition Of Virginia. IL is mean
choly enough, and Is known aud read Of all men,
We have frequently described IT, and it is not neces.
sary TO repeat that description here. Suffice il 10
say, that she u heels over head in dcbt-hcr poo.
pie are complaining and grooming under the burdens
OF An unusual taxation-and her improvements are
all languishing aud starving for the want Of tho ne
eessary AID and sustenance Let her have her inst
proportion Of the public lads, AMI ber condition will
be Immediately reversed and The smile OF prosperity
once more gladden. al her bills and valleys
We invoke the earned and patient attention Of the
people Of Virginia to this al important subject We
shall CONTINUE 70 urge aud press Il upon them. from
pmc TO- time with all The real and ability in our
poser. Add Then " they refuse to obey the voice
nj rnaan ALL 4 .ns -