Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1857-05-23
Distribution oc the land Fund,

c0"NlletV H9iA Tue hlstsrJ u the lew past
years, that the safety of the South depends
solely ON rigid adherence 10 the Constta-
ton Aow, that large Northern najorities
control TIE action of Congress, and when
those majorities are annually increasing, by
The accession of new free States into the t.
Mon, that great and conservative mstru-
ment with its compromises and limitations,
is the only ark Of our safety. Whenever,
them a new and important measure is pro-
posed the Southern patriot should fec to
the Constitution, as the doyout Christian
ices 10 his Bible, for light and guidance in
the hour Of trial
We, therefore, make an earnest appeal to
al men, uiJhop5 distinction Of Partg, to
consult this sacred charter of our liberty and
decide, each one for himself, how far it gives
pomer to Congress to distribute the proceeds
Of the public lands among the States Of the
Union. All viii admit that il it exists, it
is a stupendous powcr-and like all powers,
dangerous in proportion to its magnitude.
1t should therefore, be plainly, we had al
most said necessarily derived from the most
uuambisuous expressions Of the Constitu-
ton. Not depending on strained oonstrue-
ton or inference Its advocates propose
that Congress should make q donation to
tho States of the Union, Of the proceeds Of
tie sales Of tllo public lands, il all past and
ell future time. Mr.. Clay once remarked,
that centuries would pass away before the
public domain can be disposed Of. While
those centuries roll on, it is proposed that
the settled policy Of the federal government
shall be to distribute the proceeds of the
land sales annually among the States In
the mean time other lands viii be acquired,
BY treaty, purchase and conquest. The
same policy viii distribute them 70 the
States, until they will be taught to lock to
the federal government alone for support,
and forget their own sovereignty
The Constitution provides Section Sth,
That Congress shall have power to lay and
collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excuses,
to pay The debts and provide for the COM
mon as'enee al" sen'rpl %'il"le o' ,no o"',
instrument giving Congress power 10 raise
money IN any rag, for any other purpose
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