Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-07-09


be proud. His funeral was preached last eve
ming by Rev. Mr.. READ, aud in compliance
with his instructions bis remains will be taken
this morning to McMinnville for interment.
His widow and her fatherless children have
the heartfelt sympathy and coincidence of the
entire community in their sad bereavement
a bereavement which, while it brushes their
hearts, deprives our city and State OF one of
their most worthy and noble citizens.
Practice against PrOfessiOn-The De-
mOcracy and the Public Lands.
The system pursued in reference to the Pub
lie Lands for several years past, is operating
such palpable and inexcusable injustice to
wards a great part of the country, that its
further federation is meeting with most de-
termined opposition. In the outset of this
canvass, we ventured to express a hope that
nobody in Tennessee, would oppose the liberal
and Just principles embodied in the bill intro
duced in the last Congress by our distinguished
and faithful Senator, Col. BELL; that the prin-
ciples of that bill, whatever might be our
views 10 respect to details, would be support
ed irrespective of party ties or party action.
,
so thoroughly committed to the admission of
the power of Congress under the Federal Con-
stitution, to dispose ofthe Public Lands in such
manner as might seem best for the general
good, that we little expected to encounter Sc
rous opposition to the measure on this score
But we were mistaken. The leaders OF the
Demo racy have an uncOnquerable antipathy
L., 81 hvyE ha ~
which acts in opposition to them; and this
opposition is not determined by the justice or
utility OF the measure, utmerely by the source
whence it emanates. Although it may com
port entirely with their previous action, they
are ready to stultify themselves and the ma
jority of their party, if present convenience
or interest should require it. So we find the
most bitter and unrelenting hostility manifest
ed towards the proposition to make all the
States equal in the enjoyment of the benefits
Of the common property of the whole Union,
the Public Lands. From past experience, we
ought to have expected nothing else, perhaps,
and were over-confding when we expressed
the hope alluded to. But we still have conf
dence in the rank and file of that party, and
we are satisfied that, if not perpetually misleG,
they would come into the support Of measures
which their judgment appreciated, against the
ties of mere party allegiance.
When we have referred to the previous &C
ton Of that party in reference to the partial
| disposition of the Public Lands, we have been
answered, that it formed no part of the creed
! or platforms of that party, and was not bind
! ing upon Democrats; that they had right TO
and ought to disregard such action. If this
view is correct, then it follows that it is mat
/ ter of perfect indifference, and Dem Ocrats are
no more bound by party ties aud platforms to
| oppose than to support the measure. Hence
every Democrat is left free to act in this mat
ter as his judgment may dictate. But they
| will not allo " this. They say it is contrary
| to the distinctive principles of Democracy;
that it is Wing doctrine long since exploded
and revived in aspecious disguise, Tor the Pur-
pose of catching votes. While the regular or
gsns and speakers, protesting to be of the 0Ld
| line, reason thus, there is another wing OF the
party, who call themselves old line Wings,
| who deny that it is or ever was measure OF
the Wing party. The special organ of this
/ class in this State is the Memphis Bulletin,
and that paper Indignantly refuses to be caught
in this trap. Il says that it can not be inveiged
into the support of this new-faugled doctrine.
10y the Pretense that il is a Wing measure.
BY this species of cant and manBuvering, the
| Wings and Democrats are driven from its
ssuPport, the-One on the ground that it is not
aud the other that it is distribution. tits an
Iunwarranted presumption on the part of both
upon the ignorance and gullibity of the peo-
pie.
If it is expedient and just and constitutions
to give one State a gratuitous bounty of fv'
or ten millions OF acres of the public lands, t'
I develop its resources and extend its prosperit!
and mower. il is equally so to do the same TO
another. II Tennessee may be benefited a
much as Iowa by grant of lands for educA
ton and internal Improvements, why exten'
the grant to the one and withhold 1t from til
otherl We defy any man of any party L
igive fair, direct, and satisfactory answer
this question. With all his ingenuity, Gen
HARRIS has failed to answer it, though It ia
been propouuded to him, every day during III
Icanvass. 1t is evaded and lodged by the pie
that i: is unconstitutional. let US see how th
democracy stand upon this subject;
The grant to Illinois for her Central Raj
road was one of the earliest partial land bal
ieressed through Congress, aud is most fr'
quently referred to. II was introduced int
the Senate by NJ. DOUGLAS, who is eonsidel
ed by the democracy rs one of The ablest le
in the nation. It was engineered through b
him, aud was brought to vote 10 the Sens'
loo the Sd of May, 1850, and passed by vo'
1 of 20 TO Il. OF those who voted for il ]
were democrats and S whigs; of those Votiu
against il, were democrats, 7 wings. and
labolitionist. There were 10 democrats
The Senate, who by their votes commits
} themselves TO the eonstitnIionaliiy Of thi
measure, and of course 20 all similar measure
Sec Congressional Globe, lst Seas, sla Con
Part !, page 904.