The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-06-06

John OCOnnOr.
18th John Banmann, Fred. Rath.
James Maxwell.
10th Ira B. Davis, Chas Simpson
Alex. Nj. Alling.
18th Jacob Bitter, John A. Smith.
Joseph Sweet.
18th Henry Wales, Stephen Smith.
j. DE La Montanye.
10Th Richard Murphy, Mich. Seagrist.
Ed. Egbert.
Mr. j. A. Heath read the following letter
from Mr.. Walker, which was repeatedly and
enthusiastically cheered during the reading
MILWAUKEE, Wis, May 81, 1851.
DERR SIR: Your letter of the 10Th instant,
inviting me to attend and address Democratic
mass gathering at Tammany Hall, June 81, 1851,
on the subject Of land reform, has just reached
me. regret, exceedingly, that the late receipt
engagements, preclude the possibility of uniting
with my fellow Democrats of New York on the
occasion mentioned. regret this the more, as
deem the occasion is one fraught with no ordi-
nary consequences; the object being, as your
letter informs me, to make an effort to engraft
the great doctrines OF land reform upon the
creed of the Democratic party
In this object you have my hearty concur
renee. look upon it as an appeal to the great
Democratic party to take one more step-and
that the most important of any-toward AT
| amelioration in the condition of the working
masses of our county. If this appeal shall be
heard and needed, the results cannot fail to be
happy; but if it shall be disregarded, mucl
fear that the consequences to the Democratic
party, at least, will b. calamitous indeed.
You say that, in the event Of my inability tc
unite with you at the time named, my views on
the subject would be cheerfully accepted BY
| this suppose you mean my views on the great
land and labor reform now agitating the coun
try. Ii am correct in this supposition, have
| only to say that | cannot give you my views
more fully and explicitly than / have already
given them to the country, by bill on the sub
ject, which had the honor of introducing to the
Senate of the United States; and in two speeches
made by me in the Senate in support of that
bill-one on the 18th of August, 1850, and the
other on the l4th and 18th of January, 1851
therefore refer you to these for my present
views. ! stand by The doctrines and principles
therein expressed-s continue to urge them
until they triumph-or until become satisfied
that the theory Of equality in our government is
mockery. And even then shall cease to urge
viction that they are erroneous.
and through you to the committee of arrange.
ments, on whose behalf you are the cores
pendent, assurances of my kindest regard and
esteem. Your fellow-citzen,
p. WALKER.
JOHN II. KEYsER, esq, Corresponding Secretary
of the Committee of Arrangements.
Letters were also received from Messrs. An
drew Johnson and A. O. p. Nicholson, of Tennes-
ctr nlv companA;pr he l,n
movement. Mr.. Johnson formerly represented
the Greenville district in Congress, and is n
candidate for reelection. Mr. Nicholson is
Chancellor of the State of Tennessee. Hon.
James ID. Westcott, late U. s. Senator from
Florida, now sojourning in this city, sent let
ter to the committee declining to made speech,
and intimating that Southern gentlemen cannot
with a proper degree of selfrespect, mingle in
such n crowd as that ut Tammany Hall He
was in favor Of land reform, but, as we gath.
cred from his letter, would consider it com
promise of dignity to belong TO the land reform
party, because forsooth certain anti. slavery men
had also declared themselves in opposition to a
monopoly of the public lands. Mr. Westcotts
letter was mostly devoted to the discussion Of
the slavery question.
DIR. Ingraham read the following preamble
and resolutions, which were received with en-
thusiastic applause and adopted by reclamation
Believing that the lime has now fully arrived
when the great principle of mans right 10 the
soil, 80 prophetic lily Swallowed forth by those
sages and founders of democracy-Thomas JEFF
ferson and Andrew Jackson--shoud be en-.
graved on the statute books of the nation, we
do most solemnly and earnestly recommend
the Democratic party throughout the United
States, to make this vitality important question
| e e. L.. Ii 4.
of the party in the presidential campaign of, SO
II is the supreme ,oiH of the people that il should
be So Through the length and breadth of the
land the question has been agitated, resulting ir
full and candid acknowledge of the wisdom
justice, and policy of making the public domain
free TO all who will occupy and cutirate. Oul
over crowded ard rapidly augmenting city po
] pulations, most imperatively demand an outlet
to the vast resources of the mighty West TIE
tide of emigration must become producers d
m'ahh--peahh gained by labor out of tho soil
instead OF congregating in large cities TO con
sumo, only, and add numbers TO the already over
supplied labor market. Every consideration Of
justice and policy dictate that our public domain
should cease TO be source Of revenue to the
government. The plan Of donating quarter sec
lions of land to actual occupants, seems the ony
reasonable and sure method Of bringing even
moiety of the public land under cultivation with
in two generations, ifthey are sold ms formerly
at an average Of two millions of acres annually
there being still unappropriated lands to the
enormous amount of hrcire hundred million
acres, oper hpo million square miles Therefor O.
l j. Resoiped, Tint we cordially indorse the
sey-epidem truth that every man has natural
and indisputnble right to 40 much Of the earth
AZ is necessary for the maintenance of himself
and his family, to be guaranteed to him and his
by wise and salutary laws.