The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-06-12
THE CONSTITUTION ON INTERNAL
IMPROVEMENTS AND THE PUBLIC
LAMBS

that time. 1t was, probably about equally
divided, between democrats and wings. But
when they met for the serious purpose oil
framing chart by which the destinies of the
State were to be guided, they wisely laid aside
whatever of partizan feeling had impelled
them to differences and conflicts of opinion, in
the ordinary pursuit of politics, and united on
the broad platform of honest and conscien-
tious statesmen, with the best interest of the
State in the q heads, and the high impulses of
patriotism animaling their hearts. 1t is to
such sources, turning aside from the parchiDg
wastes of merely par,izan warfare, which is,
for the good of the country, too often selfish
and dishonest, that the people look for the
principles and precepts, which they may ex-
pect to lead them into the path of duty and
safety. We, therefore, turn to our State
constitution, this morning, and present our
readers with couple Of extracts from that
sncred instrument, embodying the views of its
wise and conservative trainers, upon the two
subjects OF internal improvement and the
public lands, which are now, at this moment
SO properly absorbing the attention of our
people. These men, as il gifted with pre-
science of the very state OF things, which We
now behold surrounding us, took occasion,
and felt II incumbent upon them to make the
following pressing declaration; which may be
found in Art. IL, Sec. 9, State Constitution.
"a well regulated system of internal i'm
provement is calculated to deveope the re-
sources of the State, and promote the happi-
ness and prosperity of her citizens; therefore
it ought to be encouraged by the General
Assembly"
In the same Article, Sec. 10, while exhibit.
ing high and full appreciation of the deep
importance of promoting the virtue and in
telligence of the people, by providing CON-
mon school fund, to be forever devoted to the
common use and benefit of the people, and
linking the necessities Of internal improve
meni and the general diffusion of knowledge
together, the following significant reference
to the public lands occurs:
"Propided That il at any time hereafter, a
division of the public lands of the United
Stntrs, or of the money arising from the sale
Of such lands, shall be made among the indi-
vidual States, the part of such lands, or money,
coming to this State, shall be devoted to the
purposes Of education and Internal improve
ment; and shall never be applied to any other
purpose"
1t is never the part of statesmen TO provide
against contingencies violative of the copsti-
tuition, except TO visit such violation with its
appropriate correction. Here we have, both
wings and democrats, acting under the most
solemn sanctions, recognising the constitu-
tionality of distributing the public lands them.
selves o. their proceeds, among the States, by
providing a specific disposition of Tennessees
share, if such distribution or division should
take place. By the strongest implication, they
endorse the principle, but leave the expedi- |
ency Of the measure to the judgment Of the
people. We earnestly and respectfully pro-
pound these facts to the people of Tennessee,
of party, and ask their unbiased
attention to the subject. DO you believe your
constitution is right? Do you believe those
men, to whom you committed the high trust
of moulding your institutions, were false and
treacherous to you, deliberate violators of the |
paramount constitution of the Union! Has
our Republic come to that era in its history,
when to do justice and secure general and |
special equality among the States, is a crime
against the constitution, or measure of
doubtful expediency! What would the PEG.
Pile think, if the government were about to be
re.organized, and provision should be in
corporated or the principle distinctly announc.
ed, that we will build railroads, erect schools,
md cherish the prosperity of Iowa with our
means, but we cannot tolerate such n course
toward Tennessee! Would Tennessee enter
into such compact And what but this, is
the doctrine avOwed BY the so-called demo-
crncy of Tennessee, and Of other States of the
South! tits vain to put these questions TO
the presses and speakers of the sham demo-
cracy, with hope of obtaining categorical
answer. They cannot aud will not answer
them. They attempt to palate the outrage,
and to excuse the wrong, which their own
issue creates, by such miserable claptrnp MS
exploded doctrines" "corrupling the people
with their own money" &c. And SO we beg
leave to put these questions directly to the
people. We ask our friends, throughout the
State, TO put them to the people, and TO keep
them constantly before the popular mind, that
they may be properly answered in August
next.
.W- We are gratifcd to learn that DAN
Z. TREwHIrT, Esq, OF Hamilton, has been
nominated by the Wings and Americans for
The State Senate in the district composed of
the counties of Rhea, Bedsoe, Marion, Brad
ley, and Hamilton; and that he accepts the
nomination.
A dispatch from Memphis, dated the 26ih,
says that the crops in Tennessee are all dying
for want of rain.
We find the above in Georgia paper
The despatch from Memphis is wrong. In
this section at least, there has not been in
The last six weeks m interval OF four days
without rain. The wheat never looked bet.
ter or promised heavier yield, while the ia,
yOrable season ia pushing nm onis md rorn