Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-07-21
MR.. CLAY AND DIsTRIBUTToN

~ MR. CLAY, AND DISTRIBUTION.
We quoted some weeks since an extract from
speech Of Mr.. Clsys, delivered January IL, 1882,
mot June IL, 1882, thens said through mistake
and remarked that we had seen no stronger Grgu-
asHt against distribution than the fact which it sta
ted. The Patriot tries to break the force of this
extract by saying that the speech from which it
taken was not upon distribution of the land pro-
ceeds, but Of moneys collected under the tariff for
the support of the government" This is true, but
it does not change or do away with Mr.. Clay's ar
gument. 1t remains the same, and we care not
whether Mr. Clay acted in strict conformity with it
or not, it is still an "argument."
The Patriot says that we introduced it to show
that Mr. Cay was opposed to Mr.. Hatton's policy
We introduced it for no such purpose, but as an
argument against Mr.. Hatton policy. We now saw
however, and defy contradiction, that Mr.. CLAW
never in his life advocated such scheme for distr
button as Mr.. Hatton advocates.
Mr.. Hatton proposes to diUids out the lands them
sslves among the several States. Mr. Clay neverdid
but was always opposed to such policy, and in his
elaborated report of 1882, thus portrays the per-
niciOus consequences which would result from such
a scheme;
"Competition would probably arise between tbe
States In the terms which they would offer 70 mr.
chasers. Each State would be DESTROYS of inviting
the greatest number of emigrants not only for the
laudable purpose of popuaLng rapidly its own ter
rltores, but with the view to the acquisition of
funds to enable it to fnl6l its engagements to the
general government. Collisions between the States
would probably arise, and their injurious CONSEQUENT
ces may be imagined. A spirit of hazardous specu-
latiOn would be engendered Various schemes in
the States would be put aost to sell or divide
the public lands. Companies and combinations
would be formed in this country, if not in foreign
countries, presenting gigantic and tempting but de-
lusive projects and the history of legislation in
some of the States of the Union admOnisbes ms that
a too ready ear is sometimes given BY majority
IN legislative assembly, TO such projects"
Mr.. Hatton, we believe has expressed, also. a
willingness to divide the proceeds of the sales of the
lands, to Obviate any difficulty that might be sug
gested in dividing the lands themselves. But in
this he goes far beyond Mr. Clay. This distinguish
ed statesman originally favored Distribution as n
mere alternative against ceding them to the new
States, which was strongly urged in 1882 The
present plan of holding to, and selling out the
lands by the General Government, was his favorite
policy and in his report previously referred to- he
said: ''NO branch of the public service has evnced
more system, uniformity and wisdom, or given more
general satisfaction, than that of the administra-
tiOn of the public lands"
What were the circumstances, and what the par
ticular policy that Mr.. Clay did propose upon this
subject; Listen to his own words, and then say h.
far they accord with the extravagant scheme of the
present time. He says:
They the Committee, of which he was Chair.
man, believe that sound policy comedies with the |
duty which has deyOived the General Gov eminent
10 The whole of the States, and the whole of the
npOu 10 of gbn luiOn and Il, I
The eTsag system, hrUiag been tried aud qpproUs4
after long and triumphant experience But in conse-
quenee Of the extraordinary financial prosperity
which the United States enjoy, the question meris
examination, whether, whilst the general Government
steadily retains The control Of this great RdoRcL resource
an ITS hands after the payment of the public debt
the proceeds Of the sales of the public lands no
longer needed to meet the ordinary expenses of
government, may not be bene6cially appropriated
to some other objects FOR LIMITED TINE
"GOyernments, no more than individuals should |
be reduced or intoxicated by prosperity, however |
or great 1t may be. The country now
happily enjoys II in a most unexampled degree We |
have abundant reason TO be grateful for the bless
lngs Of peace and plenty. and freedom from debt
But we must be Orgetful Of all history and expert
ence if we indulge the deusive hope that we shall
always be exempt from calamity and re7erses-
Seasons Of national adversely of suffering and of
war, will assuredly come. wise government should
expect and provide for them. Instead of wasting .
q I =
prosperity, IL should husband and cherish them far
those times Of trial and difficulty, chich in the dispsa-
saton Of Providence, may be certainly antcipafed-
Entertaining these views, and as the proceeds of
Inc public lands wanted for ordinary revenue
which Will be abundantly supplied from the imports
he committee respectfully recommend that an ap- '
preparation of them be made to some other purpose
FOR A LIMITED TINE subject 10 be resumed IN The
contingency Of Should such an event unfortu- a
laely occur, the fund may be Withdrawn from its h
eff Hn-T UaTfn and ulial IN ~
means, TO the vigorous prosecution of the war; and
afterwards TO the payment of any debt which may
e contracted in consequence of its existence" h
Is this Mr.. HattOn's policy? Does he propose P
hat the general government shall steadily retain
he control Of this great national resource in its own
ands Husband and cherish it for times of diff
ulty and trial. which, in the dispensatons of Prov
lence, may be certainly anticipated -" only to be
ppropriated to some other purposes for limited I'll
me- subject to be resumed in the contingency of
ar, or for the payment of any debt which may be ca
lus created" We say, is this Mr.. Hatton's poll 81
?? Is it not as different as white is from black? ~
The very contingency which Mr.. Clay speaks of NJ
rs since occurred We have had war with Mex al
0. The government became borrower of money ca
T many millions, and to-day her Indebtedness is co
30, 963, 500 g., for the payment of very large ue
OportiOn Of which the proceeds received for the at
lbc lands is Tlsdged by special act of Congress
Mr. Clay was living, would he not say, pay this .n'
irty millions Of debt before even Ioaning, much
IS giving, the proceeds of these lands to the 'H
ates Mr.. Bell and recognised this fact when az
said in his speech at MurfreesbOrough in 1848, -
at Distribution has ceased to be a questionable INV
ads may now he considered pledged for the payment
the national debt" We say it without hesitancy
fear of successful contradiction, that never be 0
e was such a scheme of distribution seriously ar
ed before the people-one preposterous and W
'urd-and after the experience of this contest =,
venture to predict that it will never be argued
lin.
THE LATE SECRETARY MARCY. live
The New York Evening Post has an article under
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