The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-04-28

!" almost every exchnn.. TINT we rcca;x.
the Distribution OF the Public Land. :. h.
A"s u'Scus~td IL il u subject which has
"ee and nrsirct e. recommend il, and Inns
oeen laid upon the table for MANY wears as
emeasure imPolitic. unwise and last. though
not least. Unconstitutional.
The opposition. composed Of men Of all
c"i"rS IF the rainbow. have abandoned their
contracted notions about foreigners and
Catholics dissolving the Union by exercis-
ing the right Of suffrage recognized by the
Constitution and now have changed their
tactics. and. like hungry wolves, are howl
ing after prey and plumber! Distribution
OF the public lands, say they. is the only
means by which the Union can be saved!
The advocates Of this measure certainly
have but little regard for the Constitution
OF our country, the rock upon which our
free institutions are founded and they have
indeed still less regard for the words and
Precepts of one Of the illustrinus dead Of
the old Wing party. Daniel Webster.
We do not propose to act the part Of re-
surrcctionist for every obsolete party that
has lived. died. and been i, GENTLY buried
by the great giant of freedom and advocate
Ut the people. the Democracy; but. at this
time. We will reprint few remarks. made
in the year 1887. by Mr.. Webster. directly
upon this subject:
''Now ! ask. where is the power to make
this grant! II we look upon il a q ces.iun
for tllr benefit Of the States in which the
lip
degree. whence is the power obtained IL
authorize Congress to give away the public
lands. Well. the answer "a this question
might be, that the proposition is not e.
make gift nf il. a certain retains were I,
be made To Congress by the new States.
Now, by the Constitution Of the country
the trust. the disposition of the public land.
was Conferred on Congress; and ask. is j
possible that any man can maintain tba
proposition, tlut aS they were placed il
their hands. a. belonging 10 the whole people
of the United States. they could trnnsfr
the general disposition nf them. 1t appear
Ia me that they might just well entertain
fIs proposition "a To farm out the custom
Eouse in New York on certain terms.
nNor do I know that Congress has any
more authority {" gre array the public land
than the proceeds Of u custom house on tn
particular stiPulations; nor can we surrende
the cont OF OF II amy more than they can rs
sign to others the power of collecting tn
revenue of the custom house in Boston. q
elsewhere. ] see. therefore, objections in
surmoni table whether they assume til
shape Of u grdfuitOus cession or trust
In either cuse il transcends the power q
Congrss II Is 10 make the public lands
common JHnd f"r the benefit Of the Who'll
people of the Union. The great object
TO sell il. the public lands. gradually an
whilst il j. in State of ownership, | hav
always held that Congress might make
more rdiuaLle by fhe creation ef railroads
CANALS and other Improvements of this sort
have felt no dific ulty therefore. in sup
porting grants To accomplish tn ,se objects
brcause it was a very efficient mode Of in
cruising the value of the public domain.
What will old line Wings say after the!
have read the above, from one of their grea
APOSTLES Purtics generally delight to re
fer to time past, and the great men VIII
Srfoser paAicdiaff IPirfine sl to argue an
prove conclusively the consistency of tn
measure offered for public favor. We i'm
agine mum will be the word i'm this instance
-Netr Market Yd.,) Spirit Of Democracy