John M. Clayton epub Speech of Mr. Clayton, of Delaware, in the Senate of the United States, on the Fourth Day of March, in Reply to Mr. Grundy of Tennessee, Mr. Woodbury ... and Others, Vol. 2 (Classic Reprint)

Ui NflTED STATES.-M arch 4, I83l ,T he motion lor the inde6nite postponement of the resolution of Mr. Foot of Connecticut, relative to the Public Lands, being under consideration, Mr. Clayton of Delaware, addressed the Chair. Mr. President :I f Ineed an apology for discussing topics extrinsic CT not strictly relevant to the subject of the resolution before us I shall find it ia the example of honorable gentlemeo, who, in going before me, have availed themselves, by general consent, of an opportunity to debate qq this motion, the full merits of other questions of momentous interest (ij cur country. While the argument was of a sectional character, and chiefly calculated to excite personal and local feeling, I desired no participation io it. But, although generally averse to any deviation from the ordinary rules of Parliamentary proceediiig, and unwilling to originate any new subject of controversy even in ihe boundless latitude given to this diicussioD, I cannot be silent wliile principles are boldly advanced and presse Jupon us, (no matter how inapiilicable or inappropriate they may appear.) which in my judgment ares ibversive of the interests of this nation, or hostile to the spirit of the Fednial Constitution. The resolution of the honorable Senator from Connecticut has noibiug imperative in its character, li lays down uo new principle, and proposes no ufw course of legislation; but simply asks an inquiry into the expediency of either hastening the sales of the public domain, or of stopping tbo surveys for a limited period. The committee to whom the inquiry is pro posed to be entrusted, is composed of five member-, all of whom are Representatives of States within whose limits are contiiined large portions of the public lauds. Seeing in this fact a suflicient refutation of tbe objection that this inquiry may create uauccessary alarm in the Wes Icnrtti Messrj(Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don't occur in the book.)