Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-05-21
N NASHVILLE:
The Public LANDS.

The Public Lands.
z In our previous articles upon the subject of
q disposition of the public lands, we disposed
of the objection urged as to the constitution
atty of the policy advocated by MS. The re-
naming objection, that of its inexpediency,
considered independently Of its bearings upon
the prosperity of the several States, is soon
disposed Of IF we consider it without re-
ference to the benefits it will confer, or the in
juries it may infict, it must be determined by
its justice or injustice. If, in such case, it is
just and right, it is the first and highest duty
OF the government to dispense that Justice and
secure that right, and place them beyond the
hazard of future violation. II, on the other
hand, it is in itself unjust and wrong, then it
IS equally the duty of the government, to
check the Roadway which it has already at
tanned, and to effectually guard the States
against the evils and injuries which grow out
of it. 10 consideringof the absolute power of
Congress over the matter, in the absence of
any explicit provision of the constitution, our
line of argument led us to refer to the mode
in which the public lands have been acquired,
and incidentally to show that the claims we
set up in behalf of the States, and especially,
the old Statbs, were founded upon the plain
est principles of right and justice In that
discussion, we also showed, that by the policy
heretofore pursued in relation to the public
lands, injustice of very gross and outrage
Gus character had been inflicted upon some of
the States, while others had been proportion
ally benefited by this very wrong; and that
herein the spirit of the constitution and of
the federal Union had been most wantonly
and unnecessarily violated. With this view,
it would be adding insult to injury to debate
the question whether it is expedient to re-
medy wrong or repair aniDjury. Such hest
tation might well become the deliberations Of
council of bandits, convened to divide the
plumber of successful maraudng expedition;
but we think it would be as shocking to the
moral sense, as disgraceful to the character of
a great aud magnanimous nation, whose boast
is its equal laws and equal rights, and whose
pride and glory should ever be its public vir
tue Whenever, therefore, expediency, or in
expedency shall become the test of justice
and the measure of virtue, in this government,
then indeed have we as nation, forfeited all
title to respect in the eyes of mankind, as
well as the allegiance of the upright and con-
scientious citizen. We have chosen thus to
place the question of expedency upon the
highest grounds, judging it by the principles
which distinguish between right and wrong,
and which constitute the corner store of all
national greatness; because it places the ques-
ton in its true light, and exposes, at glance,
the magnitude of the error upon which the OBJ
jeclion is fouaded.
We are aware that the blighting effect of
this exposure, will be attempted to be parted
and evaded 1t will be maintained by that
party which opposes us, that it has never, as
q party, given its countenance and support TO
the wrongs to which we have alluded; that it |
regrets as much as we can possibly do, that
such a State of things has been brought upon |
the country and that it would keep step with
the formost in relieving the country from the |
dilemma. But thisiss most unmitigated soph-
ism. The donations of the public lands to a |
few States does not in fact ripen iDtoa wrong, |
does not attain to injustice, until you refuse to |
deal in the same way, with the other States. |
We maintain that in Congress reposes the
right and power, exclusive and absolute, to ad- |
minister and dispose of these lands. We con-
cede that concurring with this right duty die |
tates that the interests and internal resources
of the States should be cherished and develop |
ed, and that Congress has been performing
meritorious work, in lending its assistance to
these ends But in process of time other
States, which have not hitherto partaken of
this bounty, put in their claim for an equal
share in the disposition of the common fund.
The wrong does not attach until you spnrn
these just demands, and oppose this act of JUS
tice. 10 as yOur refusal to grant to tie old
States, equal rights an and equal enjoyment Of
the public domain Nth the neD, that makes the
the Orong Of Which, zoe complain. The very
issue which our opponents make with us de-
fines the outrage, and if successful will con-
summate it, They cannot escape it-whenever
they open their mouths they give utterance to
their own guilt-and they shall not evade the
responsibility. The time has come when the
people are looking after their rights and in
terests, in this subject In them rests the nj
innate power of the government. If they
find their leaders treacherously yielding their
rights, they will assert their supremacy and
take their own interests into their own hands.
1t will not do to tell them, they are being
bought by their own money. Such a cry,
substituted for argument, is an unworthy i'm
putation upon the honesty and integrity of
the people, aud will meet with their indignant
rebuke. They cannot be diverted from the |
maintenance of their rights, by TIE pittful at |
tempt 10 identify a single man with the odium
of the whole business. They want a full and |
fair discussion, and we give distinct waning,
10 the threshold Of this campaign, that so far
as we are concerned, they shall have it.
The Democracy of Shelby county have no
minated judges W. O. Dunlap and E. W. NJ.
King, as candidates for the Legislature.
ACCIDENT TO GIN. PILLow.-We are sorry
10 learn that Gen. Pillow was throw from his
n. early last vraalr hfla ridtDc