Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1857-05-05
Eible, remove the lands from this theatre Of bribery

kibe, remove the lands from this theatre OF bribery
and corruption.
Mr.. L. regretted that an unwise and rash at
tempt had been made to commit the Democracy of
Virginia against equal distribution. He was an
older democrat Than some Of lhem-too old one
10 be caught by chaff and straw traps. He was
not bound TO accept every issue rendered him by
Ihe Opposition. He adverted 10 the. positions Ia
ken by the great Democratic leaders on The sub
ject OF distribution. In IS29-30-and 81 Gen. Jack
son recommended it. In 1884 he vetoed Mr.. Clay's
Bill, because it not only gave proceeds to the
States, hut undertook 10 control their appropriation
ofIhem, which was uuconstilutional.e II was an
electioneering bill introduced by Gen. Jacksons
enemies, and he was bound TO veto IT,
Mr.. Buchanan once voted for the engrossment
of bill to distribute, and on several occasions de-
clared his belief in its constitutionaliy. He Mr..
begged therefore If he was TO be read ont OF The
Democratic church, That Mr.. Buchanan the DEM
oeratic president might b. read out also.
He did not believe that he was in a minority of
the Democra CO of Virginia ON this issue. The
great North West was with him But even II he
stood alone, he was fearless. He had differed wi b
the party be fore. He remembered 10 have stood
up ia CnaTlestown and raised his voice against
Gen .Jackson's proclamation as a Federal docu-
ment. He-stood up in lille posse of thirteen,
and yet he had lived 10 see The day hen the ma s
of The party were with him standing on the middle
ground teIween Qualification aud consolidation
He had carried the Democratic banner through
this district with the independent Treasury inscrib
ed ON it, and bore it in tIiumph, with a bare ma
jority Of four to back him.
The South would be compelled 10 take his posi-
lion on the land question in the end. The HoHse-
stead bill was competing measure with Distrbu-
ton. That bill had already come near being pas
sed. The amendment OF Geo. w. Jones to the
land graduation bill embodying The homestead
principle passed the House in 1855 and you Sir
{Mr: F } were absent. hope sir, you had good
ekcuse--I hope sir.you were siok. The homestead
principle IS 10 throw open the public lands 10 the
whole world, 1t invites hot only The inhabitants of
Vie nearer Westeth States, and the more populous
NOflh bat the inha biIans Of the four quarters of
the gIobe-uf Europe Asia, land Africa-to enter
into q Scramble with the people of Virninia who
who shall get the most of the po5lic lands When
shall we be better a6le to resist this agrarian
scheme than sOlo? If Virginia is ever TO enjoy
any benefit from them, when could that benefit be
more GeeePIabIs- tbNn- "teNg aN050 when she Is
sI8oauing under taxation, ard struggling under
1900 600 of debit Let her get her share and
conf plcIe her Railroads. Let her get it and COM
Pletfe the Alexandria and Hampshire Rail road
the greatest artery connecting by the nearest route
;h waters of the Mississippi and the Atlantic. If
the; lands were Lot given away but sold, and Vir-
gFhia should receive her share of the proceeds she
could construct this great work herself and that
was what he was in favor Of
, In conclusion Mr. L again adverted TO the posi-
ton he occupied the anddate of the old liners.
He carried their banner inscribed with their mot
to-A fair distribution Oths hOnOrS among the Ol-
IaeTs Tie recruits aud fair distribu-
tOR Of the proceeds e the public lands among tie old
states as GreH as the Ilel1