Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-04-17


others thereby. Ii is something to help them for
reckon them among the American people. And to know
that we have given sturdy Western one hundred
and sixty which he accepts the condition that he
shall cultivate Them is be certain that we have
bhshed at least fanny. Besides sir, the Eastern
States land to the Western railroads that custom may
come TO them from the far West May not then, vote
land to the Western men, that may have permanent
Western customers? 1t 10 argument in favor of the
grant OF alternate sections to railroad companies that the
greater chance of settlement increases the value of the
sections retained II that So then il Is that
the settlement the real occupancy and cultivation of
quarter section will give additional value to the others
The argument, sir, is cumulative.
One mode OF argument used to defeat bill Of this cha
racer Is TO drive the sensitive from its advocacy by
sertons that It is means of counting popularity among
certain class Of citizens and that none but the Gracch
will buy the people with their lands
What the motives Of others NAV be know not but
myself say that if any portion of our citizens
could upon ordinary grounds be hostile to this BILL it
would be likely to be the commercial and moneyed ct-
zens Of an old capital Of an old State Sir my
age mean, OF course, those who have the Presiden
tal chair in viewhoweyer sensible the approval Of the
public have usually passed the hopes of much
and Philadelphia Whig of all men, would be the least
likely to court favor by ad coptand,m advocacy
Sir, promotion is not part Of the rewards or even the
hopes, of the people of my patriotic State Good old
Pennsylvania has 30 often gone for the Democrats that
the Democratic party deem her their appanage without
reward And she has seldom gone for the Wings that
chance and not party exerton has BEEN by the unre
fectng considered the cause and the ordinary rewards
party success have been lavshed where they
directly pay for labor or more surely invite supplies
For myself sir and those with whom have had consul
tation on this question, can safely say that when
opinions have been changed interest has been opposed
and the change has been submitted the grounds of
the change Of circumstances in national and State leg
lation, and in the condition of the people
Hitherto, Mr. Chairman, country has sought to
ward the soldier and the sailor poorly am compelled
to confess) with lands she has bestowed them ns
tutions for the public good she has granted the
stranger seeking asylum in this nation That is the
people of this country have given away these lands
other people Well sir now the people themselves ask
for share. The people were in the nominative;
they are in the vocative. am willing to place them in
the datiye case And if am charged with vacation,
can only plead the old adage and refer my honored and
classical friend from Vermont Ir MEAcHAM) for its
truth, that circumstances alter cases"
And, Mr.. Chairman who can be injured by the opera
ton Of this bill, if passed into a law There here
in this country than fourteen hundred millions of
acres OF public unoccuped unappropriated lands four
teen hundred millions of acres, Mr.. Chairman This is
more than and half to every man. woman, and
child Gods earth beg pardon for the seeming ire
verence but the earth is the Lords and the funess
thereby More than and half to every man,
woman, and chd-black white, red And we are
told by good poet who equally good historian,
that in the most fourishing condition Of his native
in its high and palmy every rood of ground
maintained its man
The honorable gentleman frsm Maine Mr.. FULLER)
spoke of the provisions of this bill unequal and unjust
Unequal being for the good of ALL because the
erect prisons for the benefit of the good Of
ALL Do establish philanthropic institutions for the
good alone of their inmates for the credit and good of
all Do States erect hospitals assist asylums for
the deaf and dumb for the benefit only of the PATIENTS
is il for the good of all
Mr. Chairman is it not for the good of all that certain
persons relieved from dstress Is it not for the good
of all that certain persons redeemed from the degra
daton of vice and led away from the daily temptation to
commit crmess Is it not for the good Of all that the
example of degraded character be abated in order that
diminished Is the wealth of the rich safer with
poverty around him, goaded by envy and want into
rapnes
Mr.. FULLER. viii the gentleman allow me to ask him
one question? What would you do with the Indians?
Mr.. CHANDLER. Sir, must either feed or fight the
Indians.
Sir every Christian patriot must say, land
emphaticay or heartily am sure than the honorable
rentlemaa from Maine. nIr FuILrR It NAV augment
my relative consequence have those around poor
and degraded and il may foil to my virtues that
they are becoming vicious in their poverty but my feeling
man, my possession capitalist, and my patriotism
a citizen all concerned have these honest
comfortable, respectable"
Mr. Chairman, have already exceeded the length of
time which il my intention to when
and have far departed from my plan of procedure that
would better close than attempt to the argu-
from which the warmth of my feelings has hurried
away, and from which have been called by the occa
sional interruption Of friends whom have found it
cessary to Nor is that all, Mr. Chairman the
public lands though seemingly rough unattractiye
subject for consideration have been suggestive of other
thoughts than those of arid waste solitary wilderness
The prairie land of common country has supplied
flowers beautiful to the sight and redoent Of If
have been unable to collect and combine them, at least
have assisted TO prove their existence and point their
locality.
shall vote for this BILL not because something may not
be said against with good argument but because the
whole all circumstances considered the balance Of
ment is in its favor. My friend and colleague (Mr.
MooRE proposed to the last Congress similar measure
upon which doubted and the honorable gentleman Mr
JoHssoS) who presents the bill also the parent of
similar bill in the Congress- both gentlemen
entitled respect and credit for their bodness in meeting
what was then so unpopular.
This BILL however will pass and think this session
but any rate it will pass II is founded the progress
ve character Of the institutions of our country and is
therefore part Of the destiny Of our legislation.
Sir, other may the civic wreath which the
ton for those who their country in lofty po
son they may be graced with the laurels prepared
for those who defend her in the hour Of peril and their
may be inscribed upon the mpershabe record of
national glory; while crown shall be column
be reared to the humble working legislator who prepared
presented the homestead bill consciousness OF duty
performed must be his present remuneration and his
ward in the future be the owly inscription Of his
name with those who loved the people
If the views which have taken Of the main provisions
Of the bill under consideration incorrect then
think may conclude that the plan Of granting quar-
ter sections Of land to actual settlers to with
the following among many other negative and positive
claims, upon favorable consideration:
First II is not in violation Of any provisions Of the
constitution Of the country.
Second. No power Of Congress is exceeded by such
grants.
Third II grants no favor to one which is not free to all
- - L. u - t.