Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-06-16

government the neighboring good lands. The
oeate gave consideration by building the
levy, the government received consideration,
in the availability and enhancement of the ad-
joining land. This was plain and unmista-
ksble sale, and this was the condition of the
grant. He also voted, while in Congress, for
bounty lands to soldiers; but this was not
donation, but payment for services rendered
on the battle field. This was proven by the
fact that the terms of service governed the
amount. The soldiers were pooly compensated
by the regular pay, and this was to do them
further justice.
AS q matter of policy it was wrong to dis
tribute the lands. Under the present system,
the lands were in one hand and under the
control of one power; there could be no con
f1ict or uncertainty of title. But if they were
placed in thirty one hands, there would likely
be constant conflict in these respects. But it
was wholly impracticable to divide them.
What States should receive the arid plains and
rugged Rocky Mountain tracts, and what the
rich prairies of the West and SoLth2 And if
| divided, the policy of the States might be diff
ferent-Massachusetts might only sell hers to
abolitionists and Louisiana hers to slavehold-
ers, and there would arise conflicts, collisions.
and the bonds of our Union be weakened
or severed. Again, this was only an appeal
to the pockets and cupidity of the people to
catch votes; but in effect taking dollar out Of
one pocket and putting seventy-6ye cents into
the other. There was only two millions of
dollars worth sold per annum, and of this one
halt is taken to cover the expenses of survey,
sale, &c, leaving one million Of proceeds to d.
vide. If there are thirty millions of people in
the Union, that would make just three and one
third cents for each one. How would this
benefit the people-and especially while the
people have to be taxed to supply the one mil
lion. If this were the case under the present
system, what would be the effect of throwing
the whole public domain of taSeLOS hundred
millions acres, on the market at once. 1t is
truism that there is but one mode of support
ing the government, that is taxation, either
direct or indirect; and the distribution of the
public lands is but taking money from one
source to be supplied from another.
He was opposed to the Normal School advo-
Gated by Mr.. Hatton. 1t proposed to educate
one person from each repre- sentative and two
or three from each Senatorial district, for
teachers at the expense of the State; and after
they were educated, then they were to teach
school for you, prOvided, you would make
them up school and pay them good round
price for their services. This the rich were
able to do, and the poor could do as well
without as with normal school. The rich
might be benefited, the poor could not.
There were questions of more practical i'm
portance before the people, than any of these.
The land measure will not be adopted and
should not be under any circumstances. There
were but two political elements in this coun-
try, represented by democracy and black re-
publicanism. The democracy was the only.
national party. The Know Nothings were
mere faction, depending alone on the littlel
State of Maryland for power. The Know
Nothings and abolitionists agree in opposing
the democracy. The territorial questions are
all settled; the democracy are pledged that
new States shall be admitted with or without
slavery, as the people may decide. Kansas
was likely to admit slavery; the democrats
would admit her, republicans would oppose
her on slavery, the Know Nothings would
also oppose her if she allowed foreigners to
vote-so that it would be democracy against
the others. The democrats have nearly al
ways had possession of the government, and
it has prospered and become great. The Know
Nothings propose to scatter the public lands to
the winds; to alter the naturalization laws,
and to deny the right of aliens to vote in the
territories. These are the issues they make
with democracy. The never fight two battles
on one platform-they first have twenty one
years, and then material change" in the
naturalization laws.
As to foreigners, our present naturalization
laws are good enough. All that is necessary
is that they shall forswear all other govern
ments, be of good moral character, and attach
ed to the principles of our government. This
is as well done in five rs TWEEN ty-one years. AS
to voting in the territories, they do not vote at
all. There are no courts there, no institutions
they go into the wilderness, and build up
States. They must be protected in their per-
son and property, otherwise we might be de-
MED the same privileges, upon the same prin-
ciple. When the territory becomes q State,
and aliens declare their intention to become
citizens, they are not aliens in the strict sense
of the term but quasi citizens. And in being
allowed to vote for members to the legislature,
they do not have a voice upon the slavery ques-
I ton, because the Legislature has no power to
make a State constitution His friend Mr..
Hatton supported Fillmore, and he in 1851,
under oath approved the Washington Terri
tory bill, containing the alien suffrage feature.
If it was wrong now, it is wrong then. He
left Mr.. Hatton to reconcile the difference.
The power of the States is unlimited 10 fix
ing the qualification of voters; and Congress
has no power over the matter in the States.
On the question of suffrage the power of the
States has no limit. (Read Con. Art. /, Sec.
/ 2, prescribing qualifications of voters for Con-
gress.) he was satisfied with the laws of Ten
nessee upon this subject-they are good and
should not be altered; he and Mr.. Hstton, differ
ed only as to the power to the States upon the
subject, Mr.. Hatton contending that States had
no right to admit aliens to vote. 1t was mere
" principle, about which they disputed.
As to the assessor law, he aud Mr.. Hatton
agreed now. He always opposed it-Mr. Hat
ton voted for it but being satisfied it did not
work well, was for its repeal.
The time, one hour and a-half having ex-
n;red Gem. Harris Welded the stand TO Mr.