The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1847-12-24

years, at ihe lowest price prescribed by
the existing laws, aud il has been found
that they will not command that price
They must remain unsold and nncultiya
ted for an indefinite period, unless the
price demanded for them by the govern
ment shall be reduced No satisfactory
reason is perceived why they should be
longer held al rates above their real val
ne. AT the present period an additional
reason exists for adopting the measure re
commended. When the country is en-
gagged 10 foreign war, and we must me-
cessarily resort to loans, it would seem to
be the dictate of wisdom that we should
avail ourselves Of all our resources, and
thus limit the amount OF the public in
debtedness to the lowest possible sum
recommend that the existing laws on
the subject of pre-emption rights be
amended and modified so as to operate
prospectively, and to embrace all who
may settle upon the public lands and make
improvements upon them before they are
surveyed as we'll as afterwards, in all
cases where such settlements may be
made after the Indian title shall have been
extinguished
lfthe right of pre- emption be thus ex
tended, il will embrace large and mer.
itorious class Of our citizens. II will IN.
crease the number OF small freeholders
upon our borders, who will be enabled
thereby to educate their children and
otherwise improve their condition, while
they will be found at all times, as they
have ever proved themselves to be in the
hour Of danger to their country, among
our hardest and best volunteer soldiers,
ever ready to tender their services in
case of emergency; and among the last to
leave the field as long as a n enemy remains
to be encountered. Such a policy will
also impress these patriotic pioneer emf
grants with deeper feelings of gratitude
for the parental care Of their government,
when they find their dearest interests se>
cured to them by the permanent laws of
the land, and that they are no longer in
danger of losing their homes and hard
earned improvements by being brought
into competition with a more wealthy
class Of purchasers at the land sales.
The attention Of Congress was invited,
at their last and the preceding session, to
the Importance Of establishing Territo-
rial government over our possessions in
Oregon; and it is to be regretted that
here was no legislation on the subject. -
Dur citizens who inhabit that distant re
gion OF country are still left without the
protection of our laws, or any regularly
organized government. Before the qnes
ion of limits and bound aries of the terri
ory Of Oregon was definitely settled
rom the necessity of their condition, the
inhabitants had established a temporar,
government Of their own. Besides the
want of legal authority for continuing
uch government, it is wholly made,
Iuate to protect them in their rights OF
person and property, or to secui to them
he enjoyment of the privileges of other
to which they are entitled under
he constitution of the United States.--
fhey should have the right of suffrage,
,e represented in Territorial Iegisla-
ure, and by delegate in Congress; and
possess all the rights and privileges which
,itizens of other portions Of the Territo-
lies of the United States have heretofore
,njoved, or may now enjoy.
Our judicial system, revenue laws, laws
trade and intercourse with the
Indian tribes, and the protection of our
avs generally, should be extended over
hem.
In addition to the Inhabitants in that
erri,ory who had previously emigrated
o it, large numbers Of our citizens have
ollowed them during the present year;
md il is not doubted that during the next
Ind subsequent years their numbers will
,e greatly increased.
Congress, at its last session, established
leading to Oregon, aud be
.ween different points within that terri
Tory, and authorized the establishment Of
post Offices at "Astoria and such other
places on the coasts of the Pacific, within
he territory Of the United States, as the
public interests may require" Post off
,es have accordingly been established, !,
deputy postmasters appointed, and pro-
,is ion made for the transportation Of the
nails.
The preservation of peace with the In
liam tribes residing west of the Rocky
will render il proper that au-
hority should be given by law for the ap
pointment ofan adequate number of In
liam agents TO reside among them.
recommend that surveyor generals
office be established in that territory and
hat the public lands be surveyed and
brought into market at an early period