Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-04-28
On motion, the meeting adjourned.
GEO a SHEPHERD CHI
WV. II. OGprS, Sec'y.
DISTRIBUTION IN VIRGINIA.

In almost every exchange that we receive from
this State the Distribution OF The Public Lands IL
being discussed. II i. Il subject which has age AID
neglect To recommendit and has been laid upon the
tsb. for many years as a measure impoiic, un"ise
| and last; though not lees'. Unconstitutional.
The opposition, composed oil men OF all Inc coiors
of the RAINBOW, have abandoned their contracted no.
tiops about foreigners aud Catholics dissoving the
Union by exercising the right of suffrage recognized
by the Constitutions end now have changed their
tactics, and, like hungry wolves, are moving aHer
prey and plunder. Distribution Of the public lands
say they. is the only means by which the Union can
be saved!
The advocates of this measure certainly have but
little regard for the Constitution OF our country, Inc
rock upon which our free institutions are founded;
and they have indeed still less regard for the words
and preceps of one of the illustrlous decd OF the
old Wing party, Daniel Webster.
We do not propose 10 net the part of resurrection.
st for every obsolete party that has lived died. and
been decenlly buried by the great giant OF freedom
and advocate Of the people, the Democracy; but, at
this time we will reprint few remarks, made in the
year 1897 by Mr.. Webster, directly upon this sub.
ject.
IF we look upon it "a cession for the benefit of the
States in which the lands lie, II It was 2ratuiIouS
grant in any degree, whence is the power obtained to
authorize Congress to give away the public lands -
Well the answer to this question might be- that the
proposition il not TO make gilt OF 1t, as CERTAIN re-
turns were be made to Congress by the new States
Now, by tho Constitution Of the country, the trust,
the disposition of the public lands was conferred on
Congress: and ask, lie possible that any man can
maintain the proposition that they were placed IN
their hands, as belonging TO the whole people OF The
United States they could transfer tho general dspo.
stion of them. Ii appears TO me that they might just
well entertain this proposition as to farm out the
custom. house in New York on certain terms.
"Sor do know that Congress has any more au.
thority to GRE array the public lands than the pro-
ceeds of a custom house on particular siipuiaions;
nor can they surrender the control OF 1t any more
AZ anlla NfInD
the revenue of the custom house in Boston. or else
where. see, therefore, objections insurmounable
whether they assume the shape of gratuntons ces
siou or trust. In either case it transcends the pow
or of Congress? II rs 10 make the Publ'c lands n
common fund for the benefit of the whole people OF
the Union. The great object is TO sell IT. the public
lands gradually; and whilst it is in State of owner.
ship, have always held that Congress might make II
more cauabe by The creation Of railroads. canals ana
other improvements Of this sort. have felt no diff
| Guilty therefore, in supporting grants to accomplish
these Objects because II was very efficient mode Of
increasing the value Of thu public domain"
What will old line line Wings say after they have
read the above. from one Of their grea; aposesl-
Parties generally delight to refer 10 times past and
the great men who were most distinguished in the
advocacy of those particular principles, 10 argue and
prove conclusiveiy the consistency OF the measure
offered for public favor. We Imagine Mum will be the
word in this iustancs.-lNe r Market Pa) SPIRIT Of
Democracy.
NEW HAMPSHIRE ELECTlON.-Why have
not the Democratic papers hereabouts informed their
readers OF the result OF The late election 10 New
HaEn;s!.;re ?-ihe first gun fired since the new Id
mnistratlOn came into power. In that orerwheim-
ing Democratic State. which they used to call The
star that never ses the Democracy have again been
routed horse foot and Dragons. Not solitary
Democrat was elected. The Black Republicans have
elected their Governor and oil their members of Con-
eress. What has become of that ID or 2O,ocD majority
which New Hampshire has always, urtil lately, rolled
lur Enn nirnF nF
aininer enlighten the public on this interesting point
-TRchmond IIhig.
The interrogatory here propounded with such an
air of triumph can be answered with confidence and
truth bv the Enquirer. the Examiner, and all other
journals familiar with the history Of New Hampshire
politics In the fret place. il is not true that New
Hampshire has "an0ys, until lately rolled up from
Is to $4,000 majority Tor the Democracy. Tn the
contrary, New Hampshire voted fEice against Gen.
jackson for President, and when the Democracy
gained the ascendsncy in the days of the Old Hero,
they found that they could maintain 1t only by sleep
less vigilance. In more than III of the ~ years cleo
tons since the close of Jscksons official life there
has been fierce contest between the parties: the
opposition having actually succeeded several times
This was the case more than during Mr.. Folks
administration
The explanation of The recent defeat Of the Democ.
racy of New hampshire ought 20 be known to the
intelligent editor Of the Wing. IA already nulstrd,
they had but email majority 10 operate on four
wears ago. So small indeed, that loss equal To that
generally sustained BY any violently assaulted party
would throw them into minority in tie State The
abolition tornado thai swept New England after
the passage of the Kansas Nebraska act took off
comparatively few Of the New Hampshire Democra.
cy, but number sufficiently large, under the crcum.
stances, 10 p.odur mpor,ant results TO New Hamp-
shire and 10 the Uuion. The few deserters from The
Democratic ranks co-opersted actively with the Rich
moud Wings quondsm political friends. and the
black republicans of the State elected Hale and Bell
10 the Senate carried through the Fremont preslden
tal tck. in triumph. sud s;i!l hold possession of the
granite hills. Can tie Wb!g see any just cause OF
exIltsou in the present defeat Of the Democratic
party OF New Ham, s.;-e, the party struggling against
the black.repubcaa organization of that State i
Union