The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-09

Mtof II Nesting III the Captains disefslionasy
power, and said that where il ended that OF gem
eral court martial should commence; he conclud-
ed With Stating that new pract ces of warfare had
been introduced since the last naval war in which
the United States engaged; and that unless
the discipline Of the navy were adapted 10 this
altered state, they would come out Of another,
with the same eclat as before.
On motion of Mr.. POLK, the House then went
into Committee of the Whole on the state Of the
Union, the special order, and again took up the
homestead bill
MIR. AVERETT, Of Virginia. who had the
floor from yesterday, again addressed the House
in opposition to the bill, the grounds Of which he
reca pitulated He considered the principles upon
which the measure was founded, as violation OF
the Constitution. The functions of the govern
ment, he said, have become so complicated that
the public functionaries do not understs nd what
is required of them, which Congress had better
be EN- ployed in defining, than in engaging in the
line of policy that is embraced in the bill; and he
concluded by again referring to the system OF tax
alton, by which fifty or sixty millions of dollars
are annually extracted from the people.
Mr.. POLK, of Tennessee, followed, and ex-
pressed himself in favor OF the bill as being con-
sonant with the spirit of the Constitution, and
would furnish employm ent to the superintendent
labor of the North. He declared himself to be
a Young American NOT that he meant thereby
that he was opposed to any class of individuals
on account Of their more mature years, but to
those who are adverse to advancing with the pro-
gress of The age. He went on to state his posi-
ltion as an unfinchng Democrat, and to sustain
the nomination of the Baltimore Convention he
said he would make any sacrifice. He charged
the Wing party with being responsible for the
continued agitation Of slavery, with whom he
said il originated and went into a long political
dsquisition, during which he was frequently in
terrupted by explanations and queries from the
other parts Of the House, to which it would be
impossible even to advert in this brief report
Mr.. CHANDLER, Of Pennsylvania, after re-
ferring to the speech of the gentleman from Ten
nessee, said his intention was to address the Com
mttee in favor of the bill under consideration,
with reference to the principles of which it was
his intention to speak; these being correct, he
said any required alteration in its details could be
easily made. He maintained that it was in the
power Of Congress to deal with the public lands
in the manner proposed, the granting Of which
would involve violation Of the Constitution.
He went on TO show that the desire to acquire land
was inherent in man, upon the possession of
which nobility is everywhere founded, and if it
were denied to the strangers who visit our shores,
it would be the denial to them Of that which God
had given. The quantity of unapproprated land
in the United States, he estimated at sufficient to
afford an acre and half to every man, woman
and child on the face of the earth. After elo-
quent and well digested speech, he concluded by
again expressing his intention to vote in favor Of
a bill which would increase domestic and social
happiness, and free the Northern States from a
burdensome population.
The Committee then rose, and the Chairman
reported progress
A resolution was afterwards offered, but OBJ
jected to on being read, which provides that the
Joint resolution printing should not be so con-
strued us TO allow the committee of both Houses
to discharge the contractor and employ another |;
but that all causes Of complaint must be referred
to the House.
Mr.. HOUSTON, Of Alabama, endeavored in
effectually to have the business the Speaker s
table taken up, after which the House adjourned.