Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1838-11-03
From ihs Globe.
FAMILIAR DIALOGUES.
On political ss6jssts, bsfsssH Merchant and
fdrmer.


NO. w.
Farmer. Squire. what do you think Of The
squauerS on the public lands
Merchant, | think as Mr.. Clay does, that the!
are no better Than pirates and roebefs.
+ Why do YOU think so III of them
NJ Because they lake the property OF he IA
hon--my property, aud your property, and every
mans property, and apply tito hen own use.
They might as well take yuuI farm or my store.
r. SO you really ihnk II dishonest for poor
men 10 settle down on the public lands, and Guilt
,atc them as The means Of supporting themselves
and their families,
NJ To be sure do. Can there be- any doubt
about that
+. don't mean to argue that point now but
should like to know how 1t happens to be DIS
honest tnT Que set OF men 10 take up the pdbllc
lands and use them. and hoGest for another set OF
men to take the public money and use It. Both
are alike the property Of the nation-my pro
ner,y, and your property, and every mans pro-
ncrtv." l. II not so, Squire
NJ. can't say It is not but there is a differ
ence
L. What difference is therel
NJ Why, those who have the use of the public
money, The bank stockholders, merchants, and
others, are gentlemen but the squallers on the
public lands are mere runaw,'ys mud loaiers
+ I'll tell YOU more material difference. The
squarters on the public lands get then living by
the sweat of their brnwS--they have 50 work the
land nh their own hands OF II yields them no
thing bu, your gentlemen squat down m the
Treasury, and Gel living, not by hard work, but
BY using other peoples money Besides the
squatter on the public lands takes no money nut
of my pocket for his uso--God made The land
and pat II theic---it was not made by me and the
rest Of the tanners but you gentleman squatler
IN the Treasury takes for his use property Mat We
have made by our nbor--money that is taken on.
sor our pockets aCo we have earned by hard
work. Your gentleman squolteI, therefore, Is the
greater "robbor of the two,'
NJ lou don't mean 10 say that the squaltefs
have a right TO tho public lands.
f. don't mean TO argue thu, point but DO
moan TO sag, that they do less wrong to the pco-
pie than you gentleman squatter upon the lica-
sury. Would 1t pick my pockets II alt the wild
lands Of the West were converted into productive
farms But every million of dollars which the
Treasury squalers are permitted TO apply to Their
own use, takes one or Two dollars cut Of my peck
ct, Gun YOU deny tina, such is tho effect OF your
bank deposte system
Nj. Well, don't know but what IT Is.
+. Then you must change your mind abou,
the land soualters, OF about the Treasury squat
ters; You must admit that the land Squallcrs are
very clever fellows, or that tho Treasury squat
! ters arc no better thln they should be.
| NJ. But should ike 10 know Of what use II Is
to lei millions OF money lie IN the Treasury idle
and what harm it does my body TO LOT the banks
have II to lend to tho business men of the co0n
| uyl
r. And should uNo to know Of wha, use .
Is to let millions of acres OF the public lands lay
waste and unproductve, and whn, harm IT does
any body 10 let poor men settle down upon then
and maintain their families by bringing them into
cultivation Squire, understand you. Those
whom YOU cnll gentlemen mny take md use the
public money or property without blame but the
moment farmer OF labonng man takes posses
SION of piece Of waste public land, you cry out
puoio and robbcr You claim privilege Tor the
gentleman which you deny to the iuImsr.
NJ. Well WE'LL you may have the public lands
# you will ot US have the money.
+ Exactly the principles Of your leading men
--couupting the people with their own property
aud money. for the purpose OF securing special
privileges to the lew. III make no such bargaIh.
| know that # all the public llnds were gwen TO
the farmers, II would not relieve them iIom or
make any amends for, the perpetual tax you pro-
pose to .eyy upon them ior the benefit Of the
"Renlomcn" squatters upon the Treasury. Let
every man be content with his own. want none
Of the public lands Tor my use, and do not IN.
tend to Jet you have my money for youis, II !
can helpn. Squire, am told Tim allor took
possession Of your Frame house tho other day,
aud you have difficulty IN getting hin, out.
NJ. Yes, the william aud don't you think he
had the npudence to tell me. that the house was
empty thai II was OF no use to any body to let
II remain uuoccapsd and HAT nc would stay IN
II until wanted II Tor myself or some other ten
ant THIS was not all the garden, you know,
was waste, and he has had II ploughed and plant
ed IN corn aud potatoes, telling me that II does
me no harm. as did not want II for cultivation
myself! lie Is thorough bred Loco Foco.
+. But has lealnl lesson from the gentleman.
OF course, you don: intend 10 turn HIM out until
you fnd tenant who will pay you rent, or want
10 occupy 1t yourself.
NJ Nottun him out shall have him out rs
quick as the law will lot me.
What distress the fellow and his family
before you wan, the property to use yourself.
NJ What business had be to take possession oI
my property Have not right to let my house
stand empty until it rots down, and my garden
grow up in weeds, if choose If this taking
possession Of other peoples properly by every
loaler is to be allowed, there will soon be an enc
10 all property.
agree with you perfectly but you have
yourself set Tim an example, and furnished hin
with an argument. You take the peoples money
aud use II for your own profit, and you justify
yourself by saying, the people don't went 10 us'
| It and It Is moi worth while to let It lie idle. 81
rnn takes possession Of your house and garden
and justIies himself by saying, you nave 10 pres
! en-, use for them aud II Is not worth while to lie
! mem lie die Nav. your behavior Is worse thar