Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-12-27


lands retained by the soldier or his heirs
In this way the government itself reduces
the value, and puts weapon in the hands
OF the Speculation, to induce the soldler
TO sell cheap. The impression is easily
made, said Mr.. III. that we who oppose this
bill are opposed 10 the interest OF The sol
der. No, sir, so long as shall have the
opportunity of expressing an opinion on
the subject, shall always support and
defend the rights and interest OF The de-
fender of my country. Blu, our feelings,
IN tins case, are miscOnstructed. The
advocates of this bill introduce to us the
war-worn veteran: with the eye of the
imagination you behold him coming from
the way of the wilderness, supported by
a crutch and u wooden leg "pale IL his
visage, and marked with a scar; ;" naked
and lacerated is his head, where the scalp
was torn by the merciless savage. You sur-
vey the victim OF your country's glory;
the tear starts III the eye the blood freezes
liz the veins; Champlaln, Bridgewater.
Erie, and Orleans, rush INTO the mind !;
an eternal load OF gratitude presses you
down; you throw open the strong box
there, my good fellow, take TO your sa-
tisfaction. and God Almighty bless you!"
He pockets the money. Again you sur
vey this Wondering monument of your
graiitude-But upon further examination,
YOU find that his leg was not wood, but
flesh and blood, his crutch dwindles to
cane; you inspect the scar on his face,
and discover that il is beautiful dim
pie; you examine the wound where the
scalp was torn, and find that he had been
only shorn little too close by his barber;
you throw off the soldiers coat, and be-
hold smart, spruce, sprightly, young
Spectator, with his pockets crammed full
OF warrants, and patents, and powers of
attorney. That was the man for whom
you intended 10 legislate. This is the
scoundrel for whom you haze legislated.
But the fraud is discoye cred when it is too
late.
MIR. BEECHER, of Ohio, said the views
ofthe friends OF the bill were honorable.
as the object was to relieve the soldier
and shut the door against speculation
and If this could be accomplished, he
would concurwith them but heconteud-
ed that this could not be done, and that
there were more important matters of le-
gislation, which required all the funds
they had right 10 demand ofthe people.
The Treasury, he conceived, was not so
abundant as had been represented, nor did
he think the surplus estimated large
one for this nation. 1t was proper, there
ton required could be afforded, and he
wentinto an examination of the anticipat-
ed resources, to show that ii could not.
MIR. b. took, incidentally, pretty extern
sive view OF the national policy on sever
al subjects, particularly the subject of
domestic manufactures, which he belev-
edwouid sink without further and great
er encouragement and argued that d pro-
per regard for these and the other great
objects now before the Uousc-the pro-
posed provision for the revolutionary
patriots, the invalid corps, &c. which he
enumerated and dwelt on, was incompa-
tible with the sacrifice of millions ofmoney
for the object now under consideration
neither did he think the soldiers deserved
that additional bounty. But he would be
willing to commute with them after other
necessary objects had been attended to !;
though, he argued, thatit would be muck
better TO leave the soldiers in possession
of their land, which they would, in a large
proportion, settle and improve, and leave
TO their children, than by buying it, give
them the means of indulging their bad
pTOpeDsitles to excess and ruin.
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Kentucky, commence
ed his remarks, by denying that the prin-
ciple of this bill was charity, as had been
alledged-the subject was one of policy.
We get, said he, in the Communication, more
than quid pro quo, more than an equiva-
lent far the government would give 100
dollars for what was worth 800. He cali
ed the attention of the committee to one
fact, which was, that the Yazoo specula-
ton itselfdid not present a scene of great
er speculation than would be exhibited if
sixteen millions of acres were put into mar
ket, in the hands of men so necessitous,
as now many of them were, as 10 be ask
ing charity In the streets and this land,
too, of the best quality. He did not con-
tend that there was legal obligation to
do this act I; but there certainly was a
moral obligation, whether the soldier be
viewed as either vicious or ignorant--he
was TO be viewed as starving object, no
matter from what cause and there was
moral obligation TO take him out Of the
| hands Of spectators. To justify this bill,
| Mr.. j. referred 10 the former practice of
| the government, and 10 the recommends
| ton of the late President of thc United
States, to whom Mr.. J. paid the tribute of
bis highest respect for his virtues, his ia
Tents and his long and faithful services.
| The right 10 pass this bill was clear; and
shall we, said he, let the time forever .,ass
! unimproved, because there be no iegaL
| obligation for it lie maintained, tlIat the
| House could suppress speculation, and
that this bill would do it, lie would say
| that they who should take the land for
less than lis value, should receive no
more than the Communication price, and lie
would do any thing, short of violating the
| constitution, to enforce IT. MIR. J. dwelt
warmly on this point, and urged the com
mittee not TO let the moment for this mea-
sure pass away forever. AS for charity.
he knew IT WAS out Of the question. There