The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1857-05-06
SUBSTANCE OF A SPEECH
OF
Mr.. A. JUDSON CRANE
An nENmco c. III, va, April I'm, 1857.

fello,c. ciiisens cf Hea,icc.
Ii has been agreed between my friend, Mr..
Caskle, and myself that | shall open the
discussion here to- day. As some OF you are
aware, have already announced, through
the public prints, that the subject especially,
would be that of the public lands. No doubt
il will be objected TO me that have mar
rnl-ed down the grounds Of this canvass 10
IN isolated subject, and that have entirely
ignored Inc other grounds Vt party difference.
But | shall not stop now to state the reasons
WAY have chgsn to discuss this particular
subject TODAY. Suffice it, that deem il
great practical and pressing question Of para
mount Importance. And Il must be too APP
parent 10 require remark, that the subject
Itself, in all its bearings, is of too much
breadth not to require all the time which
can be occupied Of this day, Indeed am
free to admit that il has required all the
time | could command for some time past
to read up to and so, il possible, 10 master
this great subject, and even now must leave
unsaid much that desired and that feel IT
important TO say; and feel conscious that
can barely glance at it in cursory man
ncr. Il has been objected by some OF the
prints which are opposed 20 the distribution
OF the pablic lands, that this is an OIL issue.
Granted--but 1t has not become the less
venerable for this reason, nor has 1t lost
aaythingot it dignity or Importance by the
progress Of years; but on the contrary, has
enhanced in these respects, day BY day. Be
sides, am If the opinion that this objection
has rather been made because il will be
found that upon this old issue many Of those
now very prominent in the confidence and
high in Office with the Democracy, will be
toaad, Al an earlier period Of their history,
10 have been among the advocates oil this
very measure which they are now called
upon, by party ties and obligations, to op-
pose. Old as il may be, it is still living,
subsisting. practical, undecided question
one which past generations Of statesmen, as
we shall presently see, and those now living,
equally have concurred in thinking demands
prompt and final disposition. Ious Of the
State Of Virginia. it Is one Of pre-eminent
importance.
| proceed, therefore, first to present to
YOU rapid glance at the origin Of the public
land. IL domain OF the United States.
These lands have been acquired By the
United States from three or four different
sources, viz: lst, BY the deeds Of cessicn
Of the States Of Virginia, North CorOlina,
New York and Massachusetts,, 70 the Union,
under the articles Of confederation; 2d, the
territory known under the title Of Oregon,
watch was claimed by discovery and occu-
patton Sd, by the purchase OF the LOUISE
ana territory from France, under Jefferson ;
iith, that Of Florida, in Mr.. Monroe's time
5th, Texas By annexation, though believe
she reserved her vacant lands; sth, Caliior-
MIA and New Mexico, by war and purchase ;
-th, from Mexico, by treaty and purchase.
Ii is ID the FIRST Of these that | more d.
rsctls al this po.nt call your attention
: New York granted Vermont, Massachusett.
gave Maine, North Carolina conveyed Ten.
nessee, and Virginia gave that magnificent
area of lands, comprising the new states Of
Ohio. Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa
and Michigan, then known as tie northwest
territory. The cause Of these grants wa,
tnus-when the articles of confederation,
which preceded the present constitution
was under consideration for adoption, the
State Of MARYLAND made objection TO coming
into the confederation because Of the claim
Il tie aforesaid States 70 this immense ter
ritory, aud for fear Of being oyershadowed
aud because she disputed their title. an,
lhereupon Congress recommended, for til
purpose Of harmony and Cancellation, Il
ihese States, to cede those lands TO ms
United States, as the common property o
the Union. Virginia, and the other States
did so,--and thus the confederation wa
finally aeceded to By the original thirteen
States.
shall extract enough from her Virgin.
ia'sj proceedings 10 show the temper ant
spirit with which she acted, a. well a M
terms aud conditions upon which she gave
this more than prineeIy-this imperial gran
" rich virgin territ0ry o the Union.
IN response TO the resolution 81 Congress
Virginia replied b. a series Of resolutions
passed "a January, isl. Hen. stats. d
large, page sos, volume 10, in which shi
consents for political considerations se
forth. d "yisiip 10 tie Congress u ~
limited States, in the preamble, all right
titlr and cl4iin, that the said Commonwealth
blt6 ~ tle lands northwest " tie river Ohio
upon tie following conditions, viz: an,
feFr follows several conditions, which il j
ueedIe.. Is enumpfate, aud then there ]. III
following clause .---s' That all the land
within the Territory 10 coded ID the Unite
states, aad not reserved for or appropriate
10 aag Of tie herein before mentioned pni
po.es. II disposed u III bOgntie. 10 tie Oh
Ger. and soldier. ol tie American arms
shall b. considered ~ q common find f.
ne uss all Jotejl u Uet of ne Unas
.IIHsricaa SI0f.S, a. have become Of sha
become laem5efs 81 tie confederation /
Federal alliance, 81 lie said states, wi
gina inclusive according 70 their respe,
tl,s proportion. il the general charge a.
expenditure, and slall be faithfully aud bon
ME disposed Of Ten fha puposf. and for .
Otnsr U.s. 81 pufEOu Wkgis0rtr."
Here s the fist expression o. tie viii
Virginia With regard % the disposition
tie remainder II y. W. Territory aft
certain other provisions lad been compile
with. Congress III IT, aeAt session saggeste