Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-05-23
From the Rockville Register.


public lands, has now assumed a definite shape in
Tennessee politics. u is nOD Eving issuei Both
parties have taken position 1.-THE subject, and upon
its merits we now enter the contest That our
readers may see clearly the position taken BY each
party, we let each define it's own position. The
9th section Of the Democratic State platform, as
adopted by the Convention which nominated HAIR
RIs, is in these words:
9. That we recognize the recent proposition to
distribute the proceeds of the public lands among
the several States, as an attempt to revive an OBJ
solete and unconstitutional measure long since con-
demned by the popular vote; and i've see in IL an
admission of the wisdom of the policy proposed
and advocated by wisest Democratic Statesmen,
OF setting apart and reservng the public domain for
future bones OF ourselves and children. IL is in
deed time, in the language of President Jackson,
that the public lands should cease to be looked to,
az source OF revenue or object of pluDdcr, and
dedicated 10 the encouragement of a hardy popula-
ton, and the benefit of the actual settler.
Mark the language of that section, ye tax-paying
men of Tennessee! The efforts of the Americans
and Wings, to secure to the old States-to Tennes-
see--an equitable distribution Of the public lands
that heritage which is the common property OF
all the States, and which is annually being squan-
dered by the million acres upon the new States
the honest effort to justice to Tennessee, is
denounced by the Democracy of Tennessee as lob
sOlete and unconstitutional" because "loDg since
condemned by the popular vote" This Is sum-
mary way Of dsposing of things peculiar to Democ-
rscy. Every proposed measure, not compatible
with their own views, is pronounced ''obsolete and
unconstitutional" But they have recognized this
as living fearful question: by deeming it aeeessa-
~ to repudiase it in their platform, and therefore,
they but stulty themselves in declaring 1t "obso-
lete" II Is not "ObsoLets /" as the opening canvass
will demonstrate. Its merits will be discussed In
every neighborhood, and upon every street-corner,
until the people OF Tennessee be brought TO iv-
ing sense Of the rank injustice they have been re-
ceiving at the hands of the Democracy, through
their inequtable policy, in reference to the public
domain We are glad that the Democracy have
had the boIdness to so define their position, that
there can he no mstaking it. They are plainly
and positively committed against equitable DIS
tribution of the pubic lands!
Look. on the other hand, to the position of the
American plrty-the position of our standard-bear-
err in the State contest. The following resolutions
adopted at the State Convention which nominated
ROBERT HATToN, brief, distinct aud to the
point:
ReSolved, That all the States of the Union are
entitled to participation in the public bounty and
that the policy of the party in power, by which the
public lands appropriated, in large quantities,
for the benefit Of particular States, is unjust,
quail and Injurious to the old States, and ought not
to be tolerated.
RESOLVED, That Tennessee, in her insulated posi-
ton, heretofore omitted among the favortes in the
distribution Of the public lands, with her load of
debt, increased for the development of her resource
es has deep stake in that policy which shall do
her justice, and supply the means of saving her
people from taxation.
Read that again, ye tG1-pdying people Of East
TENNESSEE Contrast it with the resolution of De-
mocracy. Determine for yourselves whether you
are will ng to bow your necks to the yoke Of party
and thus deny yourselves the relief which is yours
il you but insist upon it. Consider whether it is
rght-Whether it is just-whether it is hot an out
rage that the people of the Northwest should live
in unencumbered prosperity, by the aid of the pub
lie lands, while Tennessee is still burdened with
debt, and herpeopie groaning aye groaning might
lily under the heavy taxation they must endure, to
meet aud relieve that debt.
Consid, r these things, as rational, economical
men, and remember that democracy denies you
this relief, which is justly yours, and if our st tie
is to keep pace with her sisters, that they would
heap still heavier taxation upon you! Call ye this
an ''obSolete" measure? This, that promises to
save you from taxation this, that promises 10
heve your State of debt; this, that promises to
check that wild extravaganza with which the party
in power, has been squandering your possessions
upon the people OF the Northwest, at your own
heavy cost? Is il not rather the great tiUing quss
ton of the times, and will not the people of East
Tennessee arouse themselves at once, to an effect
ual appreciation of its Importance? We will not
suffr ourselves to entertain doubt on this subject
We have too much confidence 10 the intelligence
of the people OF East Tennessee TO doubt that
when they come to understand this measure in its
true light, they will repudiate party that de-
mics them the simple measure of justice.