The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-07-03
THE PUBLIC LANDS.

From the East Tennessean.
MEssRs EDToRs:-lhe Impression left on
the minds or many by the ingenious argu-
ment Of Gen. Ilnrrs yesterday, in reference
to the Sale Of Public Lands, was altogether
erroneous. From what he said, many, both
Wings and Democrats, think that only two
millions Of dollars worth Of public lands are
disposed Of yearly, and that the demand will
not be greater than this for the next fIty
years, and hence the argument w. TINT IL the
proceeds were distributed the amount com.
ing to each State would be ridiculously nsir
nifican,; and the amount to each individual
would be enthusiastically small. But instead
Of this being the truth, the quantity sold du-
ring III" wear 1858. amounted to tho sum of
nine millions of dollars, and inside from this
amount actually sold for the cash, which has
gone into the treasury and is now living there
i"r no earthly use, save FOR next Congress to
squanGcr in villniny and corruption, there
was during the same year about twelve mil
lions of acres Of the public domain given
away to the different States works of inter-
nal improvement, &C., making in all about
thirty millions of acres of land actually sold
and located, and disposed of one way md
another during the year. This year the de-
mand will be much grenter than thirty mil
lions: and each year it will 90 on increasing
in proportion to the increase of our own pom
ulntion and the increase of foreign immigra.
ton. But admit that the demand would not
exceed ten millions wo. tn per annum, would
this not be handsome sum to distribute
yearly! Bnt the sales, if they would CEASE
This ubiquitous, partial distribution, would
amount to thirty millions of dollars worth
next year. Any man who wishes TO satisfy
himself OF these facts, and the fallacy of Gen.
Harrls's argument on the subject, NAV do so
by reference to the report of Secretary Guth-
rir, and the report of the Land office.
Now already more than two hundred mil
lions of acres have been gwen away, vet
tennessee has not received the first acre of
It, We think that it is nothing but riph,
TINT we should have our share of the pnbli,.
lnnds-we have ms much right to them. Won :,
hundred fold right more than many of the
States that have already received their mil
lions.
And, moreover, we think the sooner these
lands ARE disposed of, the better for our Gov
errment. So long Ms they remain they will
he grand source of corruption and vilanv.
But if we had our forty millions of dollars
ont of them, there is no danger that we
would misapply tour constitution pre-
scribes the manner of disposal. Through
its ins'rnmen'ality every boy and girl in our
State would be enabled to get fine ednca-
non; and our citizens would be relieved from
their bnrdrns"me taxes. The democracy cry
ont humhug, bumbug. But we say there is
no hnmbng about it. The great Clay in his
day thought there was no humbup about
snch calculations ms ih"se-Webster did not
either; nor do any of the democracy, but they
opposed this measure years ago when first
apitaied, and now from custom or contrnr-
ness, they are going to oppose it.
Then let every man come up to the polls
in August and vote for the candidates, from
Governor down, who are in favor of the dis
trbnton of the proceeds of the public lands;
and It the measure is carried through Con-
gress, in less than ten years we will have n
neat school honse and furnishing school in
every school district in our State. A WING.
MARYvILLE, TENN. June "a. 1857.