Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-09-19
Remarks of Mr.. Bright, of Indiana.

Remarks Of Mr.. Bright, of Indiana,
On the Bill granting bounty lands to certain Of
fcers and soldiers who have been engaged in the
mlitry service of the United States on the 2eth
of August, ls50-on an amendment providing for
issuing scrip instead of land warrants:
Mr. BRIeHr. If 1 was opposed to the passage of
this bill, would for this amendment. But, being
decided friend of the BILL shall vote against the
amendment believing that its adoption would endanger
the BILL if it does not entirely defeat it. The object OF
this bill is to give bounty lands, they called to
those who rendered service their country in late
wars doubt not there are many who rendered that
service that do not not need the land and il is rather
of indifference all such whether the bill pass
not But again, there many. whose future hopes
for a spot they can call home depend upon the fate of
this measure 1t is this class OF patriotic and meri
torous citizens my mind is particularly directed
in the consideration Of this question. The effect Of
attempting TO correct all supposed defects IN the
details OF this bill il from the House may be,
and believe will be- to leave among the unfinished
business of the sessonan should deeply regret,
and that do intend to be answerablc for any
way by aiding conserving amendments. am sat
sed with present provisions. Ii gives land to each
officer and soldier Of past wars, (who have not hereto
fore been provided for in quantities proportionate to
their rank and length OF service To this ieature-he
main one in the bill do understand my friend from
Virginia obecng; indeed believe objection has
been madO to this feature from any quarter; but 1t is
conended that because many OF those entitled the
provisions of this law residents of States where there
public lands, it would subject all such officers
and soldiers to great inconvenience and expense 10 make
these locations, and therefore the grant should be in
the alternative land money" at the option of the
party entitled to claim and receive. Looking at this
practical question: and leaning far toward the officer
and soldier my duties legislator will permitcer
tanly sympathisng with them deeply cannot refrain
from expressing the opinion that all the real friends oil
this bill must il they would pass this session of Con-
gTess, conne the grant to land The moment the al
tentative given the measure has to encounter the OPP
/ Of
pirate money for such unholy and unrighteous
purposes wars-whethcr the war be righteous or UNI
righteous Just unjust 1t further the hazard
of losing the ardent support of those who because they
do not represent constituency interested they think
in the bounty proposed be given are, nevertheless
in favor of giving the entire public domain the
States within which it lies, to actual settlers; but If
the bill be modified TO give land or money this in
ducement is taken away, in great MISUNDERSTANDING,
they do that of those entitled TO bounty living
within States where there public lands, would
prefer the money! thereby avoiding the trouble and
pense of making location The moneyed part of these
between the United States and officers and SOL
diers employed in past wars has been performed as
understand If has not it is the fault Of the claim
ants and the government. We have general laws,
full and explicit in this particular Ii is the land that is
asked for-not scrip or money. would inquire wheth-
in of all the petitions and proceedings
OF public meetings that have been presented TO the Sem
this subject moneyed compensation is sought or
claimed Not 1t is land they ask; and, speaking
for my immediate constituency, with the land they
Will DC SaSned. IL been SAID
speaking but few Of all those entitled the benefits
of this law would settle upon land granted under
That may be true, and doubt is, to extent but,
nevertheless there some, who earned the pittaace
proposed to be given them by this BILL that will rear
their cabin, raise their families, and draw their last
breath this freehold testimonial, voted them by a
country they have served whenever that country called
And SIR for this class of persons this description of cit
liens have and sympathy than for of
those whom fortune has singled and assigned place
beyond the reach of want This latter class of officers
and soldiers doubt not will generally accept your Of
fer of land but in many cases-yes, most cases-will
appreciate more highly the motives which prompted the
grant" and the evidence it carries with it of devotion
country the hour of trial. than the grant itself
But to return to the amendments generally should
prefer take the bill it come from the House If how
ever different is determined upon, still hope
nothing in the shape of and involving the principle
tanned in the amendment offered by the honorable
tor from Virginia will prevail | repeat. / believe it
will be fatal ow the measure, at least for this
sion of Congress. wish felt liberty appeal to
that honorable senator withdraw it. He says he
friend the do doubt it, and only regret
that he does to fully realize what believe to
be the danger resulting from pressing Objectionable
clause.