Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-06-16

from the paper referred to) The democratic
platform had plank upon the subject, declar-
ing that the public lands should cease to be
source of revenue. Yet Gen. Harris taking
GROUND against bis party, says, it is dead ques-
t'on. The American party was for an equitable
disposition of the public lands. They wereob-
tanned by cession and purchase, for the com.
mon benefit of all the States alike, and the Civ
ing OF them away to some of the States and
not to others was unjust and violated the pur-
pose OF their acquisition, and the trust by
which they were held. They might be sold
and the proceeds divided, the States might
have them apportioned by scrip or warrant to
De located, or sold as in other cases, or in any
other practical way by which the end should
be accomplished. We have twelve hundred
millions of acres, and if Tennessee has any
common rights and interests in them, let that
interest by all means, be secured to her. Gen.
harris denies the constitutionality of the meas
ure. The Constitution gives Congress the
power to dispose of any property of 1.-The Gov
ernment (Art 4, Sec. 8, same read by Gen.
harrls) While it would be against policy to
sell custom-houses and other public works, yet
they had the power to do it. The constitution.
policy, State rights and justice, all dictated
and authorized this doctrine, for which he was
contending. Gen. Harris had read the expo
sitions of Clay and Webster upon the constitu-
ton. He would not review all that these gen.
tiemen had said upon the subject but if Gen.
Harris would rest the whole question upon
their opinions, as gathered from their entire
speeches and writings, he would most cheer
fully abide their decision, and leave the ques-
ton with them. Gen. Harris, he said, Was
unwilling to this. But he had other proof of
the consttu tionality of the measure Gen.
jackson had said, the war debt having been
paid, ut Was in the discretion of Congress to
dispose of the public lands" Thus asserting
the power and discretion of Congress. (Read
from Gen. Jackson's message) Mr.. Buchanan
had declared it constitutional, and had favor
ed distribution. In 1916, there was grant of
small amount of land to Tennessee, in the
Western District, for which every democrat
from Tennessee, in Congress, at that time vo-
ted-they had no constitutional scruples.
Gov. johnson was in favor of giving away the
public lands-to every man in the government
homestead, if he would go and take it. But
if more proof were wanted as to the constitu-
tionality of the proposition, Gen. Harris him.
self is sworn witness in its behalf While q
member of Congress, he voted away millions of
acres, without money and without price. All,
but the General says these were vast swamps,
coeered with green water and stagnant la
goons, filed with bull-frogs and huge alliga-
tors, with miasma floating and mosquitoes
singing over themi This will not do; for the
very act specifies dry lands, as we'll as wet
there was great deal, millions of acres, of
high and rich land, which had never been
overfowed since the days of the flood. The
General he believed, was the first ''matured
Statesman" he had ever known who determin-
ed constitutional questions by weathergaugel
IL might suit the General to refer questions of
this sort to bull-frogs, allgators, &c, but he
could not consent to make up his opinions in
that way. In truth the majority of the de-
mocracy in Congress, have generally voted for
these land donation bills. On the Minnesota
bill at the last Congress, there % for it, and 10
against it, in the Senate. His distinguished
friend, Gen. Harris, was a man of genius,
Statesman of ripe experience" and was not
bound by the action and opinions of his party;
he mounted platform of his own; but he
(Hatton) submitted, whether the democracy
of Lincoln and of the State of Tennessee, would
take Gen. Harris in preference to the majority
of their party, or Gen. Harris against himself
His friends, had also voted while in Congress,
large amount of land to the soldiers. This
was donation, although the General contended
that it was mere payment for services rem
dered by them. He (Hatton) regarded this in
a much higher and more honorable light. 1t
was O boon, a deserved tribute of gratitude, on
the part of the Government, to its noble and be-
roic defenders. 1t was higher and more pre-
cious than pay-it was the outpouring of graf
itude to the self-sacrificing soldier; and was
neither given nor received as pittance doled
out in consideration of toll. He appealed to
the soldier, whether he accepted his warrant
country was a grateful and an honorable one,
worthy of his admiration and service He here
| quoted from the present governor, the triumph
ant exclamation: 81 have got my victim in
my arms, and will carry him through the
| State"
Mr.. HATToN continued; We have the consti-
tutonal power, and how has it been used 2
$50 millions of land have been sold, while 200
millions have been given away; and it is be-
lieved on good grounds that this system is to
be continued for the Northwestern States,
and that ultimately they intend to take and ap-
propriate all these lands to the exclusion of
the old States. Gen. Harris was for gradua-
ting the lands down so that the poor man
could obtain a home at the lowest price, after
paying the expenses of survey, sale, &c. But
it was argued, that where lands were given to
Railroads, on the alternate section principle,
the remaining sections were enhanced,
and were being sold at a minimum of two dol
lars and half to make up the deficiency
This operation would graduate the system up
instead of down, and put those homes which
were most desirable and con venient to market,
out Of the reach of the poor man.
His friend, Gen. Harris, had said it was an
appeal to the pockets and cupidity OF the peo-
pie to catch votes. He knew that his friend
would not hold that as a point against him
personally, and if not he would like for the
General to disclaim it, as he believed he would
cheerfully do. (Gen. Harris disclaimed any
personal application) Then, says Mr.. Hatton,