The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1858-07-21

and in exact conformity 10 The patriotic grant
of Virginia Of this heritage OF domain Tor the
common benefit Of the Union"
But why multiply authoritiess The con-
slant practice of the American Congress IN
dsposing Of the lands to the favored States,
proyes clearly the consttutionality OF dlstrl'
button, or an utter disregard Of its provisions
by the representatives OF the people.
proceed, in conclusion, to exhibit the I'M
ast and iuiquitons policy which has prevail
cd in the disposition Of this magnificent pro-
perity. The further the views and accom-
plish the purpose Of unscrupulous and amb'-
tious politicians, every expedIent has been
used. every subterfuge resorted to. When
on the eve Of Presidential election II has
been deemed important to patty triumph
to cede immense tracts OF the public land to
the Western and North Western States. the
pretended constitutional objection was at
first overcomer. BY clothing the improve
ment for which the appropriation was asked
with the attribute Of a national road or high
way, and the necessary connection with other
roads, or water communications. canals.
lakes or rivers, was easily discovered to quiet
tender consciences.
Again, it was pretended, that they possess
ed no right to grant these lands on any other
ground than that il would enhance the value
of the Public Notwithstanding and urging
that they possessed the power OF a private
landhoder in making improvements over a
part Of il in order TO enhance the value Of the
remainder. So hard run were the sticklers
for strict construction Of the powers Of Con.
gress over the Public Domain, that they had
to plant themselves on that principle TO justl-
III their votes for these donations but they
would make no grants to States which had
no public lands. That tins was an argument
for the occasion and entirely meant Tor bun,
cumbe, il evident from tie fact il was well
known TO the friends OF the measure that pri-
waite enterprise was ready and quite able to
push the road through the praires which Il
was important to penetrate; and from the
further facts that these parallel roads were
constructed clearly not for the purpose OF
enhancing the value OF the public land, but
in order to enable the State, then 50 large a
participant 81 the llberality Of Congress, 10
locate the sections Of the grant upon the most
fertile lands, leading the poorer for the use
Of its generous but unjust benefactor. When
say unjust beneiactor. an reminded Of a
fact which, think. siGnld arrest the a;ten-
ton Of the people Of our State.
BY grant Of the public land to the State
Of Florida, that State was enabled TO raise a
fund OR the construction Of her railroad,
and the establishment Of her public schools.
She desired to make permanent investment
thereof, and very wisely purchased North
Carolina Bonds do not censure that State IN
the Transaction; but desire to call The atten-
tion ni our people TO the fact. that with funds
acquired from the sale OF lands ia which
they have an interest IN common with her.
she supports her schools by the interest on
the Bombs Of our State. based upon It's pro-
perry and TO be finally paid by tax on her
people.
Again, It Is objected as inconsistent with
tile dignity and with the right of sovereignty
81 any State that foreign Government (as
this Government was denominated by them,
should have the control and disposition OF
the soil within its limits. And this abstrac-
ton d the States Rights party lei at one
! time to an elaborate discussion 90 The ilnOr.
of Congress upon the eypediency Of granting
the whole Of the lands 10 the States III which
they lie.
Another fraud practieed 10 di.po.ing Of
the Public Domain, was in a grant Of forty.
/ two millions ut acres OF swamp Lands TO the
States in which they lie upon the pretcxl
that they we're ,aIIeess without draining
and that this COul, not be done by the Con.
gress of the States. Now it turns out thai
these grants Contain some Of the richest and
most valuable lands on the Mississippi 81
other streams where the locations have been
male.
But further objection urged il. that il i,
unjust to the land States, that the unappro,
prlated lands should be exempt from tsxatlOn
Aud have seen this objection to an equal
distribution recently urged in some Of ouI
public journals. Now. all have to say Il
the editors d such napers i. that they ough
! to have known. and, il they did know. should
/ have stated. that five per cemtpm Of the sale,
+ j. allowed 10 the States 10 which the land,
lie and. besides this am unable to discover
q semblance II wrong 10 the matter, aud es'
pecIally when the unbpvsded mgnihteace o
the trustee 10 the party supposed to be az.
grieyed is considered.
4 further objection j.. tliatit is anti Demo,
cratic. Anti.Democratic Does mol ii,
very term premean a government ct the peo
plea government where the people are 81
government dispensing benefits and
privileges alike 10 all, aud doing justice Il
all! How can il be anti. Democratic, then
To divide equally between all the people o
every member Of tie whole family Of States
an immense domain acquired by the unite,
riintt. the common blood and treasure 81 alli
u must be right aud just aud. reasonable
I Tie leaders know Il 10 be so-and, being un
able to sustain the opposite By argument
they resort 10 the prrjudiccs 81 thr peopl,
and denounse the measure as Wing d
Know Nothing expcdient to get into power
Such are some Of the objections II eanno
say reasons,) to just distribution Of Ii,