American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-04-11
WISE AND DISTRIBUTION.

and thus get Hunter out of his way
for the Presidency, he would stop at
nothing. We published an extract
lately from 4 speech made by Wise at
Louisa Court House, in which he en-
dorsed both tho constitutionality and
expcdiency of Mr.. Clay's "Great Land
Bill" In speaking Of that bill, Wise
said that chat the proposition to dis
tribute the proceeds Of the public lands
among all the States; to be applied by
them as they see proper, to all the
great objects of moral and physical i'm
provement," is ga measure aChich IN
Sures equal benefits to ALL THE STATES
qoithout tie least Ui0lence to the Con-
stitution, and is IN exact conformity to
The patriotic grant Of Virginia Of this
heritage Of domain for the common bcn-
eft ofthe Union."
Thus spoke Henry A. Wisein 1871,
when he was almost daily bitterly en-
Weighing against the corrupt practices
of the Democratic party. Then he had
not sacrificed his political integrity for
office and he spoke what he honestly
believed. But many changes have &C.
Cured since that day. He who then
denounced Democracy as abominably
corrupt, has since sold out to those he
so 1iercely denounced, and crazy as he
is has the hardhood to think that thro'
the means Of that party he may one
day become the President of a Union
he did SO much in the late Presidential
canvass to dissolve. Foresecing that
the publication of his Louisa speech in
favor of Distribution would perhaps do
his ambitious aspirations serious hurt,
he has lately published a letter taking
u decided ground against Distribution,
rs he had formerly done in .taror of it.
This letter, viewed as an effort to de-
ceive and mislead the people, while it
is worthy of the INSCRIPTIONS source
from which it emanates will, we appre-
bend, deceive no one who who has the
capacity to think for himself. 1t is
simply another illustration of tho fact,
that our crazy Governor is consistent
in nothing except his Inconsistency
and if it shall have the effect to deceive
the unwary, unsuspecting and unthink-
ing Democracy into the belief that he
has always been a consistent Democrat
and therefore better qualified to repre-.
sent Virginia in the United States Sc
nate than Hunter, we presume its prl-
mary object will have been accomplish
ed. There is point in this letter how
over, which is original, and in this he
has certainly got ahead Of the other
leaders Of the Democracy. Hereto
fore Democracy has been content to
dcnouncc Distribution as unconstitu.
tional. Wise, however, goes farther,
and opposes it because at aoould be
virtually to dlSsolve the Union."
The editor Of the Southside Demo-
crat, who wrote to Wise for his views
on the subject, takes occasion to inform
him that he knew what his opinions
formerly were on the subject, and bcgs
him to say whether they have under
gone any change" Wise, however,
was not to be caught in that way. lie
was not prepared to admit that he had
not been all the time a consistent Dem
ocrat, and hence he replies that the
journals Of Congress contain "his
speeches and votes, and that his opin-
ions there have not changed, but been
fortified by time" Now, our crazy
Governor knew we'll enough that it
made no earthly difference what his
"specches and votes" in Congress had
been on this subject, and that none felt
enough interest in the matter to exam
inc into the subject. lie also knew
that if they did, he would be found on
the record in favor Of distribution.
We apprchcnd it makes but little
difference with the people as to the
views entertained on this subject by
the present occupant of the Gubernato-
rial chair. They know him to be as
INSCRIPTIONS rs he is ambitious, and,
conceiving no imposturc too monstrous
for the popular crcdulty, he would
Just as soon denouncc the Ten Com
Jnandmcnts as unconstitutional, and
calculated to "dissolvc the Union," az
tho proposition to distribute the pro-
cceds Of the sales Of the public lands
among all the States, provided only
that such q course would cnure to the
speedy realization of his ambitious as
pirations.
The peopIc---thc honcst.hoartcd, un-
corrupted, unaspiring, burdcn.bcaring
portion Of the pcople---thoSe who do
their own thinking and their own vo.
trpg, will prefer to be instructed on
: Institutional points. by such men as
{ lief Justice Marshal, Madison, Clay,
'iebstcr, and all the leading statesmen
- The age, Than such INSCRIPTIONS
rrmglingS ~ Henry A. Wise. The
people know that tho public lands arc