Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-03-01
tbs PUBLIC LAsDs-nR BELLS BILL

AONDAA MOEANANOs HAhCH = 1900
THE PUBLIC LASDs-ER. BELLS BILL /
We took the position, sometime sines, in our
papels that the present corrupt, fraudulent and !
pirstcal land policy, which seems to be fastening
Itself on the country, was pressing upon the atten-
ton Of the people and earnestly demanding their
action. We farther said at that time: The policy
Of the Democratic party, founded upon correct
principles Of justice and equality has been that
The public lands ought to be sscredly applied to
the nationsl objects specified in the constitution,
10 such manner e would secure homes to the
homeless and Is fer az needs be, meet the demands
olthe treasury The recent report Of the Secretary
efthe Treasury, showing the heavy surplus OF
revenue accommodating in our vaults, and the abso-
e reosssity for its reduction, renders it apparent
% every one that the time has arrived in hsto-
". predicted by Gen. JACKSON, when the public
Isncs should cease to be source Of revenue. The
public domain was never acquired by the Govern
Deat fos speculation, nor to enrich the States
Such policy is inconsistent with Our free and re
pub lean Institutions, which are based on the
prize pie Of the greatest good to the grestest
nnmber. The area Of our territory has been eK-
ten led TO give ample room aud verge enough "
Tor our constantly and rapidly increasing pOpula.
tion-to afyrl homes for the homeless, and sn
outlstlOr our children.
Proceeding upon this idea, in connection with
existing facts nothing seems to US mare plain than
that it is the duty Of all parties to unite, first, in
sHresting The reckless, corrupt and wholesale die.
position Of the public domain that is being made
10 private corporations and States, and to check,
also, Its rapid accumulation IN the hands Of CAPT
tslists. And, I'd, TO husband our public lands in
trust for our people, to 60 and settle upon snd
make homes Of in the future.
Such has been the declared sentiment Of Ten
nsssee for years past and the time has now arrived
when it becomes cur duty to urge its adoption by
every means within orr power.
We regret to observe that Col BELL with the
peculiar sdrOtuess that has siDgulsrly marked him
as public man, is endeavoring to revive from the
fossil remains of the old Wing party one Of those
Obsolete issues" 50 thoroughly repudisted by the
country, and which be evidently cannot indulge the
hope Of making q successful question. As has
been announced through our reports from Wash
ington, he has introduced into the Senate bill
proposing distribution of the proceeds Of the Pub
lie Lands among the several States, according TO
their respective populations, taking into account
the lands already granted to certain States for rail
road purpose or otherwise. The Richmond Rhig
says:
This, it will be observed, is virtually the same
kiud Of distribution that wss an article Of Wing
faith in the good old days Of the glory and strength
of that party.
Thus it is evident that all the argument and op-
position that was brought successfully to besr
against this proposition IN times past would neoes-
rarily be srrsyed against it again, and the utter
hopelessness of it's becoming practical issue IN q
democratic Congress is well described by an admir-
ing Washington correspondence, copied in tie
Nashville Bannsr, which says:
"And yet Mr.. Bells bill has 10 more ehancs Of
passage than Mr.. Bell himself has OF being pro
claimed Emperor Of France to morrow. Why
Because our Southern Stcklers for strict construc-
ION viii set their faces against it, as OF yore and
the Northwest will not be willing to consent, as }
matter Of course, to any disturbance Of It's mOUOp
Oiy Of the public domain
Mr. Bell understands the truth Of tie sbo7e ex-
preston SIS fully as the suthor Of it. he well
knows that be cannot force upon 8 democratic
Congress and democratic administration Is the
next will be, &c old ard exploded issue that the
Nh:ch they can never support if for no other
reason than their Constitutional objections.
Why then, has the willy politician rs introduced
80 hopeless measure into the Ssnste to sgitste
and unnecessarily consume the pubic timer For
reasons outside Cf puOIic good-ior reasons Of
party interest and OF personal concern 10 Mr.. BELL
If he is sincere il ais opposition to the unwise dis
position that being made of the public lands, why
does he not join with the bulk OF toe Democracy
IN puttirg it DOWN. Why not agree upon the
policy Of reserving the public domain as homes for
the sctual settlers who may choose to emigrate
there from any portion Of the country policy
that has some strength, and which with the CO.
operation Of his friends can be permanently cs.
tablished7 No, such ia not The object of Col
BiLL He is playing for misunderstanding
tubs to the wbale-indugng the W in idea that
be can bring into the kuow-nolhiag and black re-
publican combination be i9 getting up, such of the
old whig party as have not ulted with the demcc-
TsCy cordially, but from an unwli4guess he con
1sminAted with the pOllutiug touch Of the modern
Jsccbn order. So impracticable a move shows
,bCllOw device upon its face. We teleVe that
men Of ell parties in Tennessee are beginning to
understand Col BELL