Martinsburg Gazette

THE PUBLIC LANDS.

The Democratic leaders (says the Lexington Gazette,) are again attempting to blind their party to the importance of this question. Without that consequence they may well dread its influence upon the Public mind—A false issue is made by representing the contest as confined to Bennet's Land Bill. Objections are made to that bill that it does not give Virginia enough. Well, it was passed by a Democratic House of Representatives, and received the votes of thirty Democratic Congressmen. But as to Bennet's Land bill it is not material. Will they go for any sort of distribution—upon their own terms? Let them meet the issue. The Whigs gave their support to Bennet's Bill, believing it the best they can get. Such as it is they will take it rather than lose all. If Bennet's Bill does not give the old States enough, whose fault is it? The Whigs have contended for a full and fair distribution. The Democracy have it in their power to pass just such a distribution act as they please. Will they quibble then over Bennet's Bill, and at the same time, refuse to make any distribution at all. Give us something, if it is but a "small pittance"—ONLY TWO MILLIONS FIVE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND ACRES, worth at government minimum prices three millions of dollars.

Because we get none of the lands originally ceded to the Federal government and the new States are taking all—we are to stand off and give them all the purchased lands too. That is the result of their reasoning, and the inevitable consequence of their policy. To talk about anti land distribution now, is a vagary. Distribution is made at every session of Congress, and the question is, who shall get a share. Shall this "common fund" go to the new States entirely, and Virginia none?—This is the view now of Virginians to take of this subject.