Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1857-06-09
The Publir l,nnsis.

So far as Virginia is concerned it may DO as
serted with truth that for two years at least she
may expect no benefit from her common interest
in that vast public domain which belongs to her
alike with the other States Of the Union. The
issue was distinctly made before the people, and
the people have decided against il.
But whatever may be the fate. present or pros
psctive, of this measure of distribution. there is
an evil connected with the disposition of the pub
lc lands. which il is allowable 10 call upon even
our Democratic Congressman TO war against
We mean the fagitious policy of granting alter
nate sections of the public lands TO the railroad
corporation. Of tho Northwest. If they will not
consent to accept the just proportion Of Vir-
ginia in the public domain. to which she is en-
titled as well in law as in equity. let us hope
that they will at least unite, as one man. in IN
bending opposition to that monstrous system Of
fraud by which the Freesoi States Of the North
west monopolise the cream Of the public lands
lying within their limits.
The history of the Central Illinois Company 10
familiar to every one. Withou, the expenditure
of dollar, which has not been returned into it's
Treasury, that Company has bull. and equipped
a line of railroad which, with its branches. pene
trates every quarter of the State, aud infuses
rich stream Of prosperity wherever it goes
Such has been the result to the State. The
corporation, itself, after building the road, has n
suthciency of land yet remaining unsold, to pro-
doce sum of twenty millions of dollars for dis
tribution among its stockholders.
And so with tho grants recently made TO the
States Of Iowa and Wisconsin. and the Territory
of Minnesota. An Iowa journal, few days
since, in abiding to the grant which the last
Congress made TO that State. boasts IN a trium-
plant strain that the stockholders will thereby
procure road six hundred and ninety miles in
length, without cost. and a bonus gratis
The theory that the Federal Treasury is in
Identified for the lands given away by the increas-
cd value of those retained, has been long ago
exploded. Even we're this the case, sufficient
and more than sufficient cause might yet be
found for the abandonment of policy of such
results.
The Democratic party processes that the pub
lilo lands should be used for the necessities Of the
Federal Treasury and for no other purpose. If
sincere this declaration, let its faith DO for the
future illustrated by its works. If we cannot
have general distribution, let not have partial
and unequal distribution. II we cannot have
general distribution. let us have none at oil. 1t
is the boast Of the Southern Democratic party
that it is enabled to dictate the general policy of
the party throughout the Union. If so, lot it
commence the work by putting effeo,ual stop
20 these swindling grants made to the States of
the Northwest. Mos, Of them are, ia effect, for
the benefit Of Wall street sharpers and speoula
tors who thus acquire colossal fortunes from the
unwise and unjust munifcence of Congress
The people Of Virginia will not be conten, with
the passive acquiescence of their representatives
in the continuance of this monstrous nquty.-
They will not be satisfied with the futile objection
Of silent vote. They demand tina, their repre-.
sentatives shall protest against the whole policy
With ceaseless and untring energy. The next
Congress win be Democratic in both branches;
and tho Democratic party will have power to
stop this thing If it choose. The people of Viz
ginia. without distinction of party-for. on this
all are agreod-expcct of their representatives
such an emphatic protest against this fraudulent
and unconstitutional contrivance for despoiling
the common territory of the Union as will forev-
or prevent ito repetition.