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

ny our D6iHpSfItic SenatOIa anu REPRESENTATIVES,
at the last Congress, meets our hearty approval,
and we will most willingly cooperate for the
contamination of this great and beneficient re-
form.
g. ResoIoed, That We will favor the election
of M candidate to the Presidency or Vice presi-
dency of the United States who will net cheer
fully and unequiyocaly avow before the Ameri-
can people his determination to use the infiu-
ence OF his station for the speedy accomplish
ment OF the measure Of the freedom Of the pub
lie lands.
4. Resolued, That the thanks Of the friends
OF free homes are most especially due to Senator
GwINE of California, for his noble defense Of
the settlers claim to our public domain in that
State.
g. Resolved, That we view with pride and
satisfaction the triumphant victory Of the set
tiers of California, sustained by the recent
decision of lhesU. States courts in that State.
g. Resolved, That we duly appreciate the con-
sistent advocacy of land reform principles in the
councils Of the nation by our first statesmen
Gov. A. c. Brown, Of Miss, Stephen A. Doug
las, of Illinois, Andrew Johnson, of Tenn, and
Geo. w. Julian, of Indiana.
T. Resoired, That to Hon. Isaac p. Walker,
Of Young Wisconsin, is e,ninently due the deep
and abiding gratitude Of the toilng millions, for
hi, increasing vigilance, his untirng devotion,
and many personal sacrifices, in urging on the
glorious reform--free homes for all.
8. Resolred, That the attempt at the recent
sess on of Congress to make bounty land ,o1r-
rants assignable, is a cunningy devised scheme
of the enemies of land reform, designed only
to serve the grasping cupidty of land specula-
tors and rs such shall receive the uncomprOmis-
ing opposition Of the Democratic party.
g. RESOLVED, That we will enter the contest
of 52 on the issue Of land and labor reform, re-
solved to conquer or die ia the cause of free
homes for all.
10. Resolred, That we swear allegiance to
the American Union, urging as the strongest in
c entive to its lasting peace and perpetuty,
just and equitable apportionment of the public
domain Qhe common heritage) among all her
citizens
IL. Resolred, That our glorious Union shall
never need defenders when all shall have homes
10 defend, and stake in the countrys veal.
-. Resolred, That we recommend to the De-
mocratic party throughout the Union to agtate
the land question, that it may receive its crown
ing triumph in bestowing free homes to the land
less speedily rs practicable
Lorenzo B. Shepard, esq, an inveterate Hun
kerr was the first speaker. He endorsed the re-
solution as eminenty Democratic, and as coin
Gliding with his own views exactly The prn-
ciples of land reform, carried out in practice,
were calculated not for the benefit Of the pre-
sent generation, but for the people of all coming
time. Mr.. Shepard explained his view of land
reform to mean that he favored free grants Of
the public lands to actual settlers, in limited
quantities, and opposed the selling of any lands
for speculative purposes. He then referred to
the blightng influence ofland monopoly in other
countries, where the tillers of the soil are but
tie stolid and abject slaves and tools Of the few
lordlv landowners. The ownership Of the soil
renders the laborer independent of all CONNER
cal fluctuations, and induces an equality among
men, giving the laborer opportunity to tn INK for
himself-to develop his intellect-to understand
his rights and duties as a man and citizen. Mr..
Shepard was quite eloquent, and his speech was
warmly appauded.
John Cochrane was next called upon, and ad-
vocated at length the land reform principle, and
went on TO prove the Democracy of these mea-
sures and spoke of the right to the soil, which,
he sad would make the people independent and
preserve the republican institutions of the coun-
try unto all ages. The Democratic party had a
great mission to fulfil, he said, in this respect,
and the influence of monopolists and aristocrats
must be curtailed. These principles he deemed
incontrovertiblc, and endeavored to show their
truth. Man wss as much entitled to improve
the soil rs to breathe the air.
William V. Barr was called, and appeared
He said the Democrats had taken one step in
advance of their opponents, and were determined
to follow it up After claiming all the credit
for the Democrats in the crushing of bank in
huences, he said that nine out of ten of the in
hnbitants of New.York city were for the land
reform measures, as were nineteentwentieths
of the American people who had investigated
the subject. Daniel Webster at Buffalo lately
advocated five-years scheme for the settling of
the public lands. So popular are our measures
becoming, that it is no use to attempt stemming
this tide. The people throughout the land are
fully committed to it. Already the great lights
of the Democracy had given their adhesion to
land reform He pointed to Douglas Nicholson
and Johnson of Tenn, Brown of Miss and
Isaac p. Walker of Wis, (who was repeatedly
cheercd during the evening" &c. These were
the men, said he who proclaimed the right Of
the people to Gods footstool He then sketched
the services of Senator Walker of Wisconsin, in
popularzing the doctrines of land reform. In
the legislature of Illinois and Wisconsin, and in
numerous other places of trust, Senator Walker
ever foremost in the fight of Democracy.
He had procured for the native and adopted
citizens of the State of his home many salutary
reforms. Three cheers were given to Isaac p.
Walker. Mr. Barr concluded his brief remarks
by saying he did not want to make speech, rs
land reform had now become so popular that it
was out of the question for him further to en-
tighten them upon it.
Loud calls were made for Commerford,
Walker, and others after Mr. Barr concluded
and as.
Mr.. Abraham Sharot said he had resolution
to offer, and as none of the speakers who were
called for appeared, he was permitted to read
the following resolution:
RESOLVED, That Isaac p Walker is justly due
the proudest acknowledgement peoples graft.
tude can bestow for his untiring advocacy of the
rights Of labor; his undertaking and consistent
course as statesman on all questions affecting
the welfare Of one common country and his
fearless championship of the rights Of occu-
pants of the soil over the mercinary Spectator,
therefore.
Resolred, That we nominate Isaac P.Walker
of Wisconsin rs the candidate Of the Democratic
party for the Presidency in 1852 subject to the