The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-03-01
The Question OF Land Reform-The Dlstri-
button of the Public Lands.


The Question OF Land Reform-The Distri-
button of the Public Lands.
We that mass meeting of citizens,
without distinction of party, called this
evening at Tammany Hall, to respond to the
resolutions recently introduced into the Senate
of the United States, by Mr.. Webster and
others, In connection with the public lands. The
purpor of these resolutions is, that hereafter every
head Of family, who really desires to cultivate
the soil, shall have portion OF the public domain;
provided he or she become actual settler there
on, without the power, however, of selling or
otherwise dlsposing of 1t. This, if We are not mis-
taken, Is the object of Mr.. Websters resolutions.
II seems to be the will and design of Providence
that the United States should be great agriculture
nation, and that 1t should be capable, not only of
supporting its own population, but, In case OF ne
cessity or famine that of other nations in addition
This seems reasonable, when we glance at the
immense agricultural resources within our reach.
We have a territory that is almost boundless the
fertility of our soil is unexcelled, and we have
every variety of climate. II is almost an imp0ss-
bility that famine could occur 10 the United
States. drought may occur IN one section, fol-
owed by complete partial destruction of the
produce of the land but the loss which would
happen in this way, would be inconsiderable when
compared with the immense yield IN other places.
Corn, or potatoes, wheat, or barley. may fail in
one district the crops those or aims and
tables throughout the country, generally would be
as abundant ever The small loss occasoned in
this way, would therefore be amply supplied by
other and more favored regions. This has been
the past history of agriculture the United States
and no doubt such will be our experience hereafter.
Nothing but dearth, in the shape of direct GALA
nifty, and covering the whole country, can prevent
US from producing more than enough for all the de-
mands that may be made upon us.
There is another consideration connected with
this subject which is worthy of being mentioned
The United States is the refuge for the prosecuted
and oppressed, of all nations Thousands and
tens OF thousands OF those unfortunate people are
thrown upon our shores every year, the majority
Of whom without means. great many Of
them become inmates of our almshouses, and the
expense Of their support is a serious item of tax
alton. Many of them remain in eisi-s and
towns, seeking employment, and, by their num-
bers, creating a competition that is runous TO
themselves as well as to others. The most of
these people would accept, with gratitude and
thankfulness, small tract of land, by the cult
yation of which they could support themselves
and their families, and In tune become indepen-
dent. There are thousands, too, OF our own
citizens, wasting their tune and energies in our
crowded cities, and unable, even by the hardest
labor, to support themselves. These, too, would
avail themselves of the opportunity Of emigratng
TO the West, If they could get a small portion of
the public lands to live upon. The result would
De that great deal OF the poverty, aud consequent
crime, which now eharacterizes the large cities,
would be obvlaed, and healthier state of society
be produced.
These are some Of the benefits that would flow
from the adoption of Mr. Webster's plan of throw.
ing open the public lands in small parcels, to
heads Of families, provided they become actual
settlers. The public, however, must not con-
found this movement with the numerous ideal
distractions and absurd theories that have,
from time to time, been propounded by the
Fourentes, socialists, communists, and others
Of that ilk. Neither has 1t anything to do with
anti-rentism, as Il is understood and practsed In
this State. No one will accuse Daniel Webster Of
belonging to those various sects Of fanatics, or
worshipping at the same ideal altar with them.
This PLAIN, practical measure, that will not only
tend 10 the promotion OF individual comfort and
happiness, bat to the prosperity Of the whole COM
muny. Even at the nominal price OF a dollar and
a quarter per acre, there are hundreds and thou
sands of our industrious citizens unable, from
beyond their control, to buy a tract of land
While they are, therefore, in want, and adding
nothing to the wealth or production OF the country,
hey weuld, If settled piece OF land be IN pos
session Of all the necessaues and many Of the
uxuiiss Of life, and be able to contribute to the
support OF the government. Fouuerism; or asso-
csfonisfn rr am othrr IAN "a thar school ~ nr.
duc,ve OF anarchy and confusion IN families, as il
would BE- IN the State, IL followed out. Give a man
small tract OF land. on which he can obtain an
independent living by his own labor, aud such
one Will never be Fourenie.
We Pr, sumo that the meeting this evening will
be very large one We hope that il will not be
mixed Bp with Fouriersm.