The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-31

Mr.. BROWN, of Mississippi who said that sev-
erai days ago OF his colleagues (Mr FREE-
MANI asked leave to publish (without deliyering)
speech in reply to one which he (Mr. BnowN)
had made in this Hall As the subject was
which did not interest the House, and as he did
not desire To occupy hour OF the time OF the
House, he wished give notice that, following the
example of his colleague, he should publish
joinder TO the speech referred to, ii there OBJ
lection. [Cries of "Agreed." "agrced"l
Mr. JONES. Gin his seat,) File your speeches
under the rule, and let's go to voting.
MIR. GENTRY. hope by general consent that
this mode will become universal. Laughter, and
cries of ''Agreed !" 'agrced."1
| Mr.. JOHNSON, of Tennessee, offered n
section the bill in lieu Of the first, in effect dis
pensng with the restriction not ''worth the sum
Of five hundred dollars,' and permitting the entry
OF lands without any property qualification, and
on the condition OF occupancy and cultivation OF
| the same for period of five years
Mr.. FULLER, of Maine, spoke in opposition to
the principles contained in the bill, which he re-
garded as illegal unjust, and partial IN Its provi-
Flons. IL he were before tribunal or forum difier-
emily constituted from this, he would premise his
remarks by motion to dismiss the bill. This writ
OF partition introduced by his honorable friend
from Tennessee, (Mr. JoHssoN,) and reported
| back from the Committee ON Agriculture with sun
dry amendments But he denied the title of these
petitioners. either in law or in equity. He denied
the right of the Government to make the partition.
| He denied that this Government holds the public
domain by such tenure as that it Is susceptible Of
! such partition that demanded. He asked by
hat right and by what title-dee a certain speci-
fed class o! persons-aliens, foreigners, and Anne
ricans, Of limited age, and Of particular condi-
ton in domestic affairs by what right particu-
lar class in pecuniary affairs-c me here and
| gratuitousy ask of ths Government to assign
and set out to them in severalty, and by
metes and bounds, any portion Of the public do
main, the common property OF the people OF the
United States, TO the exclusion of a much greater
portion having equal rights and equal privileges;
nay, more, class Of persons such us may casually
| ID W q m
| the first day OF January, 1852, while for the re-
naming three hundred and sixty four days of the
current year there will be falling under each day
class Of persons equally entitled to the benefi-
cencc of this Government as the class on the first
OF January, 1852. If there is any subject of lcgs-
| lation of which the American people more lie.
nacious than OF another, it is against invdous dis
tincton in tho bestowment Of Governmental favors,
pensions, and patronage. The axiom is true, and
applicable to American citizens especially, that
| the blessings Of Government. like the dews Of
Heaven, should fall equally upon all.
He was opposed to the thousand and one schemes
to rid the General Government in the shortest pos
siblc time of its public domain. Our present land
system, which has been in existence for thirty
years, lie the best which the wit and wisdom Of man
has yet devised He then proceeded to argue three
propositions applicable TO the public domain first,
the public domain should be disposed of for the
and common benefit Of all the people of the United
States, people; secondly that each State
should participate in the common benefit, in pro-
portion to the burdens is required TO sustain for
| the support of the Government and thirdly, that
the public domain should not be disposed OF Tor any
other use or purpose whatever.
Mr.. CHURCHWELL, after briefly replyin to
| the gentleman who preceded him In debate, said
he had looked at the different plans to dispose Of
the public lands N both branches oil Congress- and
none uck him with much force and favor ,
that of his colleague, (Mr. A. JoHNsoND 1t is
calculated To advance the interests OF the Govern
ment, Of individuals, and OF society, and elevate
the moral nature Of man. Ii is a liberal and be
nevolent system He might be told that all will
not need It's provisions, and therefore it has
equal operation But Ia ii not apparent TO all that
the wheel Of fortune is constantly turning.
man to-day may be in sunshine, to. morrow in the
shade. But this is a great scheme for the benefit OF
humanity throughout the world. To improve the
moral nature and condition OF man, give him
homestead, better his estate, and give him the in
dependence of landed proprietor that he may
wear clean shirt, and look up, instead of down,
with all the proud feeling OF man. He can cast
his vote for whom be will You do away, to
great extent, with the corrupting none yed infiu-
ences OF the country You put him equality
with his more favored felos-citizens; you better
his condition in every sense Of the word. And not
only this, but you give him the means OF support
in his family, and educating his children, and
preparing them for all the ordinary duties OF life
And, in conclusion, the honorable gentleman fur
Their showed the advantages which would result
IRON the passage OF this bill, In commercial as
well as defensive point OF view.
Mr. GROW argued 90 show that the General
Government has no right 10 make the public lands
|.
rally entitled much of the eaiths surface as is
necessary for bis support, with title clear
To u as 10 the air, water, and sunlight Of Hea.
ven. He contended that every person who set
ties upon the soil becomes a consumer Of foreign
products, and in this way the revenue for the sup
port Of the Government is raised; besides, he
tributes to the increase OF agricultural and national
wealth, and to the defence Of the country, and the
promotion Of commerce. In the conclusion Of his
remarks, he urged that every consideration of
humanity required that grants OF public lands, in
limited quantities, should be made 10 actual set
uers This would be n means 81 removing pauper-
ism and crime; and justice demanded that man
should be restored TO his natural right to the pos
session Of the soil
Mr.. SHELTON gave the reasons which induced
him TO support the bill under consideration. lie
believed that the true principle OF this Government
Is TO afford the largest exercise Of liberty consist
ent With the public safety. This dstiDg usbes us
from the governments Of other countries where
citizenship il swallowed Up in nationality. On the
basis OF the largest constitutional freedom pocu.
liary reefs The prosperity Of our country and this
is directly opposite 10 socialism and sgrariauism
which he utterly repudiated. The time has arrived
when come disposition Of the public domain ought
b be made TO benefit our citizens generally, IN
view 81 the TACT that there projects II railroad
companies pending, covering about thirty millions
Of acre. 81 land. And reason Why he would vote
for this bill that II would not only confer q
positive good but will prevent the passage Of other
schemes. huriful in themselves. lie expressed his
surprise that Of HE Democratic friends should
advocate bills 90 build up such institutions lie
then argued that the public lands arc IN the posses.
zion Of the General Government, 20 be disposed II
for the public benefit, and cOutcnded that this bill
secures this desirable end
Mr. WILLIAMS obtained tho floor; when, on
motion, the committee rose.
Mr. CLARK offered resolution, proposing 10
close the debate upon the bill in hours after the
same shall again be taken up; pending which
The HUuse adjourned.
PETITION, ETC.
BY Mr.. COTTMAN: The petition Of George
Handy. John Dennis Robert l. wilkins. Levin
Wooliord, and ninety othcrs, citizens Of Somerset
county. Maryland, praying Congress to pass an
act 10 establish port Of entry for licensing vessels
at Deals Island. IN said county and State.
by Mr.. BABCOCK: Notice Of bill TO provide
for the erection Of marine hospital at oswego,
New York
The City OF Washington.
TO The Editor of The Repubtc:
Having particular or pccunary reason to ss-
miro Washington more than n stranger ought TO-
yet DO not to avoid publication Of my ad-
miraiion Of the sgns Of vgor, too long, all will
agree, in exhibiting themselves. but which arc now