I have no inclination to enter into these matters at length, even if I were able; but entertaining no doubt as to the requirements of policy and of justice in the present case, and in all like cases,--seeing my way clearly before me by lights that cannot deceive,--I hope in a few words to exhibit these requirements and to make this way manifest to others. I am especially moved to do so by the tone of remark often heard out of the Senate, and sometimes even here, begrudging these appropriations, and charging particular States for which they are made with undue absorption of the national property. It is sometimes said--not in this body, I know--that "the West is stealing the public lands"; and the Senator from Virginia [Mr. HUNTER], who expresses himself with frankness and moderation worthy of regard, in discussing this very measure, distinctly says that "we are squandering away the public lands"; and he complains that such appropriations are partial, "because very large amounts of land are distributed to those States in which they lie, while nothing is given to the old States." And the Senator from Kentucky [Mr. UNDERWOOD], taking up this strain, dwells at great length, and in every variety of expression, on the alleged partiality of the distribution. Now I know full well that the States in which these lands lie need no defender like myself. But, as a Senator from one of the old States, I desire thus early to declare my dissent from these views, and the reasons for this dissent. Beyond a general concern that the public lands, of which the Union is now almoner, custodian, and proprietor, should be administered freely, generously, bountifully, in such wise as most to promote their settlement, and to build upon them towns, cities, and States, the nurseries of future empire,--beyond this concern, which leads me gladly to adopt the proposition in favor of actual settlers brought forward by the Senator from Wisconsin [Mr. WALKER], I find clear and special reason for supporting the measure before the Senate in an undeniable rule of justice to the States in which the lands lie. Let me speak, then, for _justice_ to the Land States. And in doing so I wish to present an important, and, as it seems to me, decisive consideration,--not adduced thus far in this debate, nor do I know that it has been argued in any former discussion,--_founded on the exemption from taxation enjoyed by the national lands in the several States, and the unquestionable value of this franchise_. The subject naturally presents itself under two heads: _first_, the origin and nature of this franchise; and, _secondly_, its extent and value, after deducting all reservations and grants to the several States. * * * * * I. In the _first_ place, as to the origin and nature of the immunity enjoyed by the national domain in the several States.