Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-03-25


such equitable distribution is evidently viola
ton of the compact between the cedins States
and the General Government. We have already
shown that virginia's proportion of this fund
would furnish the means of relief to her heavily
taxed people, complete and keep up her great
works of Improvement, and furnish the means
of education to the poor children OF her indisent
citizens for generations to come. why then
should we refuse to receive it, cast 1t away Us
worthless bauble, or give the lands away at q
nominal price to the paupers and criminals VI
foreign countries for the purpose OF maintaining
the ascendanoy of a particular party
Now is the time to strike for change OF pol
icy in regard to this great question. The people
have hitherto deprived themselves of their just
rights in the premises by blindly following the
lead of politicians, some of whom prefer TO Keep
these lands as the inexhaustible source OF great
corrupting fund, by means Of which they may
buy votes, secure the continued success OF party,
and render permanent their own position IN Oh
fees of splendid emolument. But there VIII De
a mighty revolution in public sentiment, II the
people can be awakened to a sense OF the vast
Importance of the subject, and be made to feel
its practical bearings upon them, individually
Now, then, while they feel tho nsed OF assistance
while they are oppressed with grievous taxes
and shudder at the prospect of harder times 10
come-let them be informed as to their just
right to fair share Of this vast land fund; OF the
fact that the treasury of the United States Is
Overlooking, and that the government is apply
ing the money which belongs to them to most
unworthy obiects-that the new States are get
ting rich from speculations upon their property,
while Virginia is getting poor with the means OF
relief to be had for the taking; let the people
understand these things and be further informed
that this state of affairs is sanctioned and advo-
Gated by the controlling party in the State, and
we believe they viii apply the remedy, by elect
ing men to the Legislature and to Congress who
are in favor of receiving Virgnias share OF the
public lands.
Our Democratic fellow-citizens have been
taught to believe that it is worse than dishonor
to touch dollar of this fund, and their minds
must be relieved of this antiquated, absurd and
ridiculous notion. That it is no violation OF
Democratic principles to distribute the proceeds
of these lands, or to receive the donations is es-
tablished by the votes Of prominent Democrats
and the acts of Democratic Legislatures. 1t Is
known that various land bills, appropriating the
public domain to various States for purposes OF
Internal Improvement, Education, &C., have
passed through both houses of Congress by the
aid of Democratic votes. AS to the Constitu-
tionaty of Distribution, the Democratic reader
NAV learn something of the views of Mr.. Buch-
anan from his speech in,1s37, an extract from
which is published on the first page of this pa
per. Mr.. Clay's land bill passed through Dem
ocratic House of Representatives, and was voted
for in the Senate by such Democrats as MIR. Dal
las, of Pennsylvania. The views of Cass, Doug
lass, and all the prominent Democrats OF the
Northwest are well known, and even in Virgin,
ia, some of the most prominent men in the Dem
ocratic party, and thousands among the masses
are favorable to fair distribution among all the
States, and opposed to the vast donations to the
new States while the old States get nothing
Ex- Governor Smith is said to be favorable to
distribution, and the latest rumor is that Ool
Yancey, of Buckingham, the 'old wheel-horse OF
Democracy" in that section of Virginia has O.
vowed himself the allocate of the MEASURE
The people, too, are beginning to see the folly OF
their past position in reference to this question:
and we see the dawnings of more enllght-
ened policy. When the full light does break
upon the minds of the people, Old Virginia will
take such strides in Improvement and prosperity
as she has never done before