The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-08-13


giving back something we have taken from him; and
where Is the use Of taking from him. If IL is TO be
returned 10 HIM it would be folly. Besides this
our policy is TO throw the entire support of this gov
eminent upon custom-houso revenue. We desire
This, 10 keep up a necessity for the continuance Of
the tariff act Of ls42 II this bill, graduating the
price Of the public lands, should pass, immense
entries Of land, at the reduced price, will be
made large revenues from that source will
accrue 70 the government and the necessity fO
a high tariff will cease TO exist. Again: our sur
plus population from the old States, now en-.
poyed as laborers In manufacturing ests blshments
Will emigrate TO the new States and turn farmers
The consequence of all this would be, to diminish
the quantity Of labor in the manufacturing States
The manu- facturers would then be forced competi.
tors for the remaining labor This would greatly
Increase the price OF labor there; whereas now the
competition u with the laborers To get employment
and hence labor is cheap. This Is a very different
thing. In fact the passage Of the graduation bin
would effect powerful changes in our whole system
of policy; and IL is therefore quite unreasonable 10
the farmer TO expect Us to favor IT,"
Sir, this is the answer and these are the honest
reasons why the manufacturing interest opposes the
passage Of this bail. They fear It's effect upon the
protective policy, upon the tariff bill Of l542. 10
that internal control forever the egisla-
ton Of this country IL defeated the Zoll Vereip
treaty. Il Is arrayed against our present revenue
system; and II is now opposing with all its strength
the graduation Of the price Of the public lands. Had
the agriculturist a right TO expect such treatment
from the manufacturer Ought he longer to submit
to quietly IL he does, he Is unworthy the digni-
ty and honor Of his employment.
But will this government, for these or any other
reasons, refuse 10 pass the bill and by doing so,
fail TO increase the number Of sgrieuturists, and
thereby expand the basis OF political association;
| ardendy hope not. What is il that eeyates the
American masses above the European Masses Il
there anything peculiar in our mental or physical
organization Nothing. But there is something
peculiar in institutions and laws; and il Is thai
peculiarly which creates superiority. There
Is no pampered nobility in our country, who are
the hereditary owners Of the soil. Il is open TO
the purchase Of every citizen; and when he once
secures home, great or small, he 10 the undsputed
sovereign Of his little empire. His house is his
CASTLE and no matter whether il be supported by
marble pillars, with interior decoration rivalling
European magnifcencc, or matched with straw
and tenanted by poverty, is the sanctuary OF il
owner. Over 1t the arm Of the law extends its JUS
projections; in it he Is secured by the constitution
from unreasonable searches and seizures; and no
dare enter therein, unless by invitation OF the
owner or by authority oflaw. IL is that sovereignty
of the soil which elevares the masses of our people
and in exalted patriotism and devotion to the besr
interests of the country, renders every poughmsn
Of the Neg, equal to the proudest nobeman OF the
Old World ... .. ..a..
If this be true, il is not the policy Of the govern.
ment to increase to the utmost extent Of his ability
the number of that class of our peonlei have a.
ready said that agriculture is the foundation of no
litical society; and now add, that To the agrcul-
turist to the ploughman, in the hour of trial and
of danger society must look for its protection either
from internal or external violence hold, sir. with
out intending to reflect upon the moral frmness 81
your city population, that they are physically una.
BILE TO defend your country against powerful
enemy. Constitutions enervated by luxury, or
weakened by dissipation and disease, are unfit for
the field of battles and the history of your country
attests the fact. I shall not be inyidious by specf
flying cases; but send when you may into the field
army recruited in your cities, and if victory be
won, the "cypress leaf" will be interviewer in the
wreath of laurel which adorns your hero,s brow
But when army Of agriculturiss are sent into the
field, then the field of battle becomes the field OF
glory. The rcDown of the nation il increased, AID
no "cypress leafi interviewer with the laurel which
encircles your hero's brow"
Sir, l will here take occasion to remark, that if in
the DEGREES of fate (Which Heaven forbid) the liberty
Of this country is be cloven down. the last weapon
raised in its defence will be welded by hands Injured
to the handles of the plough. Let US, then, pass
this BILL and to the fullest extent Of cur ability in
crease this most useful and most reliable class Of our
population.
Mr.. Chairman, these are some of the advantages
immediate and prospective, resulting to this govern
ment from the passage Of this bill MY next OBJ.
ject is, to inquire what advantages will accrue to
the States in which the public lands lie by the pas.
sage of it.
What are those advantages 1t is an object Of the
utmost importance to the new States to have their
waste lands settled and cultivated II is by settle
ment and cultivation alone that the full resources OF
State be developed; and certainly at no period
of our national history has it been more importan,
that those resources should be developed than now
Many of the new States are deeply involved for
works of improvement, in progress, and completion
Most of them, by an oppressive system of taxation
have been enabled thus far to preserve their faith
and credit, whilst others less fortunate have prac
ticaIy repudiated their Just debts All of them are
dependent in greater or less degree, upon the tolls
collected from their respective works of improve
ment for the ultimate payment of their liabilities
This, sir, is known to be the fact Is it not, then
of the first Importance to these States that tbt
millions of acres of waste land, now unproductive
should be reduced to tlage, If this were the case
agricultural products would be doubled, transporta.
lion doubled tolls doubled; and hence the means of
liquidatng their liabilities doubled. ." .a.a u
Sir, there is another view of the subject which
ought not to be overlooked 1t is this: the public
domain within State is not subject to taxation
until sod and for FIVE years thereafter The neces-