Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-04-14
MIR. FAULKNER IN RONNEy,

The Hon. Charles j. Fsslkner AZ the Democratic
candidate of this district tor Congress, opened the
canvas in Hampshire, by an address 10 the people,
in this place on Monday last. The pecul ar local
interests uf the county created strong anxiety ON
the part of its citizens TO hear Mr. Faulkner in eI-
planatlon CT The course and policy intended 10 be
pursued by him, if elected, in the next Congress-
lie epoke with his usuel eloquence and conviction,
and was listened to with marked attention and re-.
speot We will not attempt 10 give full or detailed
report Of his speech but will rest ssrbed II can,
by condemnation, give the shadow Of the substance OF
his remarks.
Mr.. Faulkner eaid he had made an engagement TO
address Inc Democracy OF Hampshire at Marc Court,
but being prevented then, he had now availed him
self ri the present opportunity to do He deemed
It emineny proper and it had always been customary
for those who had been honored with public trusis -
give account of their stewardship; and JUST
fly their representative course from any that
might be upon it. But he bad Yet 10 fnd the first
mar, friend or opponent, who had found fault with
his course as representative. lie had acts OF
omission or cUinme=ion 70 defend or vinGicaic.
He stood here 10 vlndlcate the pol!cy and prin.i
Piles nf the great Democratic party-tha; policy
which had preserved the Union and promoted the In.
leresis Of its people. He alluded 10 the complexion
of the last House of Representatives., and said it
fhe most remarkable one that had ever as
sembled in this country. IL performed some good
acts, but it labored 10 perform othes that were as
disgraceful snd viilanous These latter We're steadi
ly and vigorously opposed by the seventy four De
Inocraiic members, who always stood firm aud uni
ted in te;r opposition to every attempted innovation
on the Consfu':cn.
He said he would, without further delay, proceed
to the consideration of the doctrine Of dist buton-
As that doctrine tho most contrOverted, and 3
discussion cf j. would, consequence be The mos!
interesting. lie said ne ~ss and always had been,
opposed to the policy Of distributing the public lands
among tbs States. The ducfrne was conceived IN
1874. II condemned by pubic sentiment, and
bad slumbered from that time up 10 the present. An
effort s being made to awaken aud revive it and
make il the substantial issue throughout the State al
the approaching election. The great object contem-
plated by the Fathers Of our country 10 cedin2 the
unoccuped territories to the general government and
granting it power to dispose them, were drst to pro
mote their settlement; and, secoodly, to throw into
the treasury money eutcien to defray the expenses
Of the gov.rnme II was, In fact the only
source Of revenu. prior 10 the adoption OF
the Constitution Efforts havs been made toprevent
these objects contemplated by our fathers. He said
there had been periods when the public lands were
in danger, snd there had been periods when the
Union as in danger. But tine Democratic party
has always opposed these danger. andebOred 10 con-
fine the disposition OF the public domoln to its egiti
ma.e purposes He said this proposition OF an equi.
table distribution Of the public lands among the sev-
eral States, was only all appeal 10 our curid'y II
public trust, and characterized by them as plunder
sod robbery
In this connection Mr.. Faulkner took occasion to
allude TO a bill reported to the last House by the
Committee on Public Landl, proposing 10 grant
100000 acres Of land TO the Alexandra, Loudoun
and Hampshire Rail Road Company. He said be
had always voted against bills granting lands to rail
road corporations, even when the government lands
laid within the limits Of the States with such
corporations. lie had done 80 because he regarded
them as powerful source Of bribery and corruption
The democratic party regarded such grants as ds.
noraIlzin2 and corruptinS. He would not look upon
the bill in it's present form With any favor He said.
do you believe any State in the Cnion would submit
to have lands within her borders granted TO rail road
corporations OF foreign State1 Such proposition
as this had never been made In Congress from It's
foundation up to the present time. II be should
support that bill In the next Congress, he would
stand alone. He said the friends of the road .hould
appeal to the Legislature Of their own State for as.
ss,ance. They should demand through their repre-
seItatives In the House of Delegates and Senate q
reasonable appropriation from the State TO enable
them to construct this road.-( Rom~y Argus.