The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-10-01

their sufferings. When first the war was
proclaimed, Ohio sent forth her three reg
iments under Colonels Cass, Findley, and
Macarthur, and braver men and more de-
voted patriots never shouldered musket.
Although by the terms Of their acceptance
they were moi bound to cross the line OF
the United States, the Ohio volunteers were
the first OF American troops to invade Can.
ada, and although afterwards surrendered,
without striking blow, by Gen. Hull, at
Detroit. they left no blot on their name.
The SHOWS of Canada, and the fierce
heats OF the South each produced its effect,
and of the soldiers of the war of 1919,
but few were to be found with constitu.
ton not impaired. Many sank to their
graves, victims to their sufferings. leaving
helpless families; and yet the government,
although petitioned for relief did nothing
for them until last winter. And Why was
this? -.......-. .f- fa.
To understand the full history OF this
injustice, il is necessary to revert 10 the
history of the past-to the strange course
which marked the old federal party since
the days of the elder Adams. lmmedi-
ately after the war Of the Revolution they
began to fear that powerful political in
nuence would be built up in the West which
would rob the old "Thrteen States" of a
portion of their power. They charged
MIR. Jefferson as fostering the west--oi
trying to induce its early settlement, and
as late as the war Of 1919, the fostering
care of Democratic administration-the
wish 10 build up political power in the
territory northwest of the river Ohio, was
one OF the causes of complaint, by the
Hartford Contention, and for which they
and their adherents threatened the disso-
luton of the Union.
Failing in their efforts then, the federal
party, who soon after the war, changed
their name, sought to prevent the settle
ment of the country by adhering to an un-
Just land system, which forced every man
wishing to enter government land, to pay
one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre,
in advance for 1.-THE government thus
specializing off of the poor and needy, by
charging more for the land than the cost
Of sale and survey.
Thus stood matters. when the men o
the war of 1919, and the men who had
served in the Indian wars, pettioned Con-
gress for bounty land, in order that the
poor remnant living, and the descendants
of those dead, might obtain homes OF their
own. And although dearly enough by
their sufferings, had they paid Tor it, YET
still the federal leaders, uniting as band
and making common cause against the
old soldiers, the Republic was made, for a
time, to appear ungrateful, but the peo,
ple-the patriotic of all parties, uniting
and making common cause. spoke in such
thunder tones that Congress dared no
longer delay, and during the last winter,
tardy Justice was obtained, and the SOL
diers OF the war OF 1919, and the soldiers
of the Indian war, obtained their bounty
land.
Among those in Congress who most
strongly opposed this measure of justice
TO the gallant defenders Of his country's
honor, was member Of Congress from
Ohio-from this patriotic State. who sent
her noble volunteers, and when duty called,
or the country was in danger, was ever
prompt to the call. ...U
This man-this representative of a
patriotic people-true 10 his federal edu-
cation, and true 10 his federal feelings
used his utmost endeavors TO defeat this
measure of long deferred justice and al
length, driven from all other arguments
he tried to defeat it on the ground that il
would destroy the "land system"-tha
system at once iniquilous and unjust, which
enabled the government to speculate in the
sale of the public lands, and to preven
the country from being settled and imProv
ed, in order that the United States nigh
wiring from her own citizens their hare
earned money, to put it in the Treasury
to be taken hence by the Galphlnites
whose wholesale plumber of the Treasury
has given the present whig Administration
name and fame which will consgn j
TO an Infamous Immortality.
} Who, reader, do you suppose it wa'
that thus opposed the passage of the Law
doing Justice to the old soldiers-what, tht
name of this Ohio Representative, who
thus. in defiance of the wishes of his con
stituents, spoke against the passage of tht
bounty land bill, whose passage caused Sc
, soon thrill in every heart. whose throb
bings beat for the cause of justice and o
right! 1t was 65- SAMUEL F. VlNTON
the candidate of the wings for Governor
of Ohio-S0-for Governor OF that State
whose people he had misrepresented Ii
r proof needed of this! Without proof, i
would not be believed-without proof, sucl
as could not be questioned or gainsayed
we would not dare make the CHARGE
Here it is: We quote from the Congress
sional Globe-from the proceedings Of th'
. House of Representatives, June 10, 1850
5 the Bounty Land Bill being then unde
t consideration. See page l247, Of vol. 2
2 "Mr. Vinton said, that most of th'
= bounties proposed 10 be given by this bill