Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-06-02
FACTS FROM THE RECORD-GEN. JACKSON
AND THE PUBLIC LANDS.

for their wild and reckless policy Of distributing the
proceeds of the public lands among the States. The
Patriot of the 23d ulL, quoted the following extract
from his Message Of 1892 in support Of its position,
which Il follows with the remark that Gen. Jack
son was in favor Of distributing not only the pro
-ceeds Of the sales Of these lands but the lands
themselves" What the Patriot can here find to sus-
tain such position we leave the reader to determine
8. Among the interests which merit the cOnsdera-
ton Of Congress after the payment Of the public
debt one of the most important IN my view, IS that
of the public lands Previous 10 the formation OF
our present Constitution il was recommended by
Congress that a portion of the waste lands owned
by The States should be coded to the United States
for the purpose Of general harmony, and as a fund
TO meet the expenses Of the war. The recommen
dation was adopted; and, Mt different periods Of
time, the States Of Massachusetts,, Connecticut,
New York, Virginia, North and South Carolina, and
Georgia. granted their vacant sell for the for
which they had been asked. As the lands may now
be considered being relieved from this pledge, the
object for which they were coded having been &C
complished It is in the discretion Of Congress to
dispose Of them in such way best to conduce to
the quiet harmony, and general interests Of the
American people"
twill be observed that the foregoing does not
contain one word nor intimation about distribu-
ton Of either the lands or the proceeds arising from
their sales; nor the policy to be adopted with
regard thereto after the payment of the public debts
but was a mere statement of the importance of the
subject and an introduction to his views and re-
commentators thereon, clearly and foreibly ex
pressed in the same Message and which is in fact
part Of the paragraph from which the above is taken
Why the Patriot should have omitted that portion Of
the Message which did truly embody Gen. Jaekson's
sentiments. we leave the reader to conjecture. The
following is the continuation of the Message from
which the Patriot copied the extract. We copy at
length that there may be no clubbing in future as
to Gen. Jackson's opinions
"In examining the question, all local and section
al feelings should be discarded and the whole United
States regarded as one people, interested alike in
the prosperity Of their common country.
g 1t cannot be doubted that the speedy settlement of
these lands constitutes tie true interests Of the Republic
The wealth and strength Of country its popula
ton, and the best part Of that population are the
cultiyators of the soil Independent farmers are
everywhere the basis Of society, and true friends Of
liberty"
have already arisen and may be expected hereafter
TO grow out Of the public lands, which involve the
rights of the States and the powers of the Gen
eral Government and unless a liberal policy be
now adopted, there Is danger that these questions
may speedily assume an importance not now gene
rally anticipated. The influence Of a great sectional
interest when brought into full action, viii be found
more dangerous to the harmony Of the States than
any other cause Of dsconten and 1t is the part of
wisdom and sound policy to foresee its approaches
and TO eudeavor, if possible, to cOunteract them
Of the various schemes which have been hith-
ero proposed in regard to the disposal Of the public
lands none has yet received the entire approba-
tion of the National Legislature. Deeply impressed
with the importance Of speedy and satisfactory
arrangement of the subject, I deem il my duty on
and, to the propositions which have been heretofore
suggested by others. TO contribute those reflections
which have occurred to me, in the hope that they
may assist youin your future deliberations
% II SEEMS To NE TOBE OUR TRUE POLICY, THAT THE
PUBLIC LANDS SHALL CEASE AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE
TO BE A SOURCE OF REVENUE, AND THAT THEY BE SOLD
TO SETTLERS IN LIMITED PARCELS AT A PRICR BARELY
STUFF CENT To REIMBURSE TO THE UNITED STATES THE
EXPENSE OF THE PRE-. ENT SYSTEM, and the cost ari-
sing under our Indian compact. The advantages Of
accurate surveys and undoubed titles secured TO
purchasers 10 forbid the abolition Of the pres
ent system. because none can be substituted which
will more perfectly accomplish these important ends.
It is desirable however, that in convenient time this
machinery be Withdrawn from the States and that
the right of soil and The future disposition Of it, be
surrendered TO the States respectively in which 1t
lies.
s. The adventurous and hardy population of the
West besides contributing their equal share Of taxa
tion under our import system, have, in the progress
Of our Government for the land they occupy, paid
into the Treasury large portion of forty millions Of
dollars and of the revenue received theretrOm, but
n small part mas been expended amongst them
When, 10 the disadvantage of their situation in tins
respect we add the consideration that 1t is their Ia
bor alone which gives real value TO the lands, and
that the proceeds arising from their sale are distrl-
buted chiefly among the States which had not Orlgl-
nally any claim TO q EN-, and which have employed
the unlimited emOumeuts arising from the sale Of
their lands IL cannot be expected that the new
States will remain longer contented with the present
policy after the payment Of the public debt. To
aUert The consequences 5rL5ct may be appreciated from
this cause 10 put an end orsrsr 10 all partial and inter
ested legislation on the subject, and to afford erey AHer-
icgH c-r Of enterprise the opportunity Of securing an
iHedDeQdsat FREEHOLD It to me- therefore, best 10
abandon t5s idea Of raising future Tege7us ont Of the
public lands"
It viii be clearly seen from the foregoing that
Gen jackson, instead Of favoring any such reckless
policy as raising fund from the public lands to be
distributed among the States, was positively opposed
to their being used for any other purpose, after the
payment Of the public debt than the encouragement
Of a hardy population of independent farmers, who,
he said are everywhere the basis Of society andt the
true friends Of liberty, and that in order to do this,
ne thought it chest TO abandon the idea of raising
future revenue out Of the public lands, and sell
&C to actual settlers in limited parcels at price
barely sufficient to reimburse 10 the United States the
expense" necessarily arising from its surveys, sc.
More than this: the Patriot should have remem-
,cred that at the close Of the session Of 1928,
iii passed both branches Of Congress to appropri-
te for limited time the nett proceeds Of the public
lnds among the States which bill Gen. Jackson, the
'resident retained until the commencement Of the
ext session of Congress, and, on the 9th day Of
lec, 1888 returned 10 tie Senate has objections fully
laborating the whole subject Herstosd the Jas and
ct he is claimed by the mere recklessness Of asser
on as having favored, only the distribution Of
g Treeeeds Of the sales Of the public lands, but
he lands themselves. Il has been said, "there is
thing new under the sun, but in these modern
mes of Know Nothingism each day brings forth
me new absurdity. They cannot realise the fact
at the people are nOtasses.
LATEST FROM THE CANDIDATES.
The following is post script to a business letter
,m gentleman of the highest intelligence
ted
"HAYwOoD COUNTY, May q.
The candidates for Governor addressed the citi-
IS of this county ON yesterday. The Democracy
in ectaey, and know nothings in glOOm-cOn-
slg o5,rrd An right in this county. Old Hay
ID win be represented in the next Legislature by