The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-10-30
SPEECH OF HON. N. P. BANKS,
In Fsscuii Hall, Boston, ON the
FIN NANCIAL CRISIS. 4.
CONCLUSION.

You hear much said in these times Of pam
10 which regard to the consequences Of the
land grants by the last congress to States
and territories for the purpose of developing
the Railway interests Of the western portions
OF our country. Of that policy, of its WIS.,
dom or its want OF wisdom, have nothing
to say; but speak of it in another view,
showing its origin and its effect, and lead
ing us to right conclusion as to the prin-
ciples upon which it has been established,
and as to the effect it has had upon the in
dustrial interests Of the country. .
The disposition Of the public lands has
been u serious question for many years.
Chiefly upon the Atlantic coast and in the
older States, they have advocated an equal
diyisor between the new States aud the old.
But that plan failed. The policy most re-
Gently advocated since the explosion Of the
distribution plan, has been that Of granting
the swamp lands Of the Western States to
the States in which they were, for the pur.
pose ofdrainage and dc(rayin, the expenses
of internal improvements. BY the statutes
of 1913, 40, 80, there have been donated
to FIVE States, 3l,000,0O0 acres OF swamp
lands. some Of them the best lands Of the
Southwestern States at this time. OF these
81 900 900. %, 600 900 have been given to
Southwestern Slave States, and 100000
only to the Northwestern Free States.-
That is all! 1t has no political significance
except Us showing which way the wind
blows, and which way the lands arc going.
daughter and applause.) ...
Then there was another principle with
regard to the swamp lands introduced into
the history Of this country, which was that
of land grants to railway companies for the
purpose Of enabling them to build their
roads, and thus increase the value of the
other lands Of the United States, and devel-
op the material resources Of that section Of
the country. This policy began in Sept.
1864 little while after the passage of the
Compromise Measures of 1880. Six or eight
millions Of acres were granted up to 1858,
the whole OF which, with one single excep-
ton, was given to the Southwestern slave
land States. To Illinois. Alabama, Arkan.
sls, Missouri and Mississippi, thewhole oI
these six or eight millions of land grants
were made up to the year 1858.
For what purpose3 1t has not only or
economical significance, as showing which
way the lands were going, but it has po.
litic,l significance rs well. The grant Of 9
million Of acres 10 the ambitious and schem.
ing men Of u new State, was an appeal 4
them to sustain the policy Of the admins
tration. The compromise measures had
been adopted rs the policy Of the admins
tralion in 1880, and after those measures
had been established, the land grant system
to railway companies was devised, and fo
the purpose. as think may be safely said
Of sitting the conscience ef the people in 70
gard to this great question Of the intcrfsr
ence of slave labor with free labor. rE-v.
The policy did not originate in the North
II came from different quarter. But l d
not charge upon any party the responsible
. ty of these grants. The truth is that tn
principle once established, no party and n
public mau could refuse to grant to othe
. States the same advantages that had bcel
3 granted 10 the Southwestern States, IN thi
, particular. This policy, In this way be
, camc general. The distinguished statesma'
5 who is now Governor Of Kansas, stated il
: 1854 in Washington. that he himself ha
; satisfied Mr.. Calhoun Of the propriety 9
: these land grants for railway purposes. 81
What his policy has been and y. yoa w
!. dertand perfectly well, and il is an. indh
; patable hct, that when he went 70 Kansa