Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-06-04

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 1867.
The Constitution ON Internal Improve
ments and the Public Lands.

Stltution of Tennessee, consisted, perhaps,
Of as able men, as could be found in the
State, at that time. 1t was, probably
about equally divided, between democrats
and wings. But when they met for the
serious purpose of framing chart by which
the destinies of the State were to be guided,
they wisely laid aside whatever of partizan
feeling had impelled them to differences
and conflicts of opinion, in the ordinary
pursuit of politics, and united on the broad
platform of honest and conscientious states
men, with the best interest of the State in
their heads, and the high impulses of pa
triotiSm animating their hearts. 1t is to
such sources, turning aside from the parch-
ing wastes of merely partizan warfare,
which is, for the good of the country, too
often selfish and dishonest, that the people
look for the principles and precepts, which
they may expect to lead them into the path
Of duty and safety. We, therefore, turn
to our State constitution, this morning,
and present our readers with couple Of
extracts from that sacred instrument, en-
bodying the views of its wise and conserva-
tive trainers, upon the two subjects Of in
ternal improvement and the public lands,
which are now, at this moment so properly
absorbing the attention of our people.
These men, as if gifted with prescience
of the very state Of things, which we now
behold surrounding US, took occasion, and
felt it incumbent upon them to make the
following pressing declaration; which may
be found in Art. IL. Sec. 9, State COnstitu-
tiOn:
"a we'll regulate system of internal improve
ment is calculated to develop the resources Of the
State, and promote the happiness and prosperity Of
her citizens; therefore it ought to be encouraged
by the General Assembly.
In the same Article, Sec. 10, while ex-
hibiting a high and full appreciation of the
deep Importance Of promoting the virtue
and intelligence of the people, by providing
a common school fund, to be forever devO-
ted to the common use and benefit of the
people, and linking the necessities of inter
nal improvement and the general diffusion
of knowledge together, the following sig
nifcant reference to the public lands oc-
ours:
"ProUided, That if at any time hereafter, a d.
vision of the public lands of the United States, or
Of the money arising from the sale of such lands
shall be made among the individual States, the
part OF such lands, or money coming to this State
shall be devoted to the purposes of education and
internal improvement; and shall never be applied
to any other purpose"
1t is never the part Of statesmen to pro-
vide against contingencies violative Of the
constitution, except to visit such violation
with its appropriate correction. Here we
have, both wings and democrats, acting
under the most solemn sanctions, recog-
niSing the constitntionality of distributing
the public lands themselves or their pro-
ceeds, among the States, by providing a
specific disposition Of Tennessee'S share, if
such distribution or division should take
place BY the strongest implication, they
endorse the principle, but leave the expedi-
ency of the measure to the judgment Of the
people. We earnestly and respectfully
PROFOUND these facts to the people of Ten
neSSee, irrespective of party, and ask their
unbiased attention to the subject. Do
you believe your constitution is right?
Do you believe those men, to whom you
committed the high trust of moulding your
institutions were false and treacherouS to
you, deliberate violators of the paramount
constitution of the Union Has our Re-
public come to that era in its history, when
to do justice and secure general and special
equality among the States, is a crime
against the constitution, or a measure Of
doubtful expediency? What would the
people think, if the government were about
to be recognized, and a provision should
be incorporated or the principle distinctly
announced, that we will build railroads,
erect schools, and cherish the prosperity OF
Iowa with our means, but we cannot tOle-
rate such a course toward TENNESSEE
Would Tennessee enter into such com
pact? And what but this, is the doctrine
avowed by the so-called democracy of Ten
nesSee, and of other States of the South
1t is vain to put these questions to the
presses and speakers of the sham democra.
CIV, with hope of obtaining categorical
answer They cannot and will not answer
them. They attempt to palate the out
rage, and to excuse the wrong, which their
own issue creates, by such miserable clap
trap as exploded doctrines" "corrupting
the deople with their own money" sc.
And so we beg leave to put these questions
directly to the people. We ask our friends,
throughout the State, to put them to the
people, and to keep them constantly before
the popular mind, that they may be prop
erly answered in August next.
p2-We call attention to the following
statement, which we take from the Mem
phis Neics. We ask the democracy indi
vidually and collectively, what they thinl
of the position here taken by Gen. Harris
We especially call the attention of the dem
ocratic editors Of the State to it, and asl
them whether they sustain Gen. HARRIS il
this most awkward position. Will they de
ny the fact, or viii they justify it? lie
them speak ont
sOhI shame, where Is thy Blush ""
Gen Harris. the Democratic nominee for Govern