Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-05-21
The Homestead Bill.

stead Bill, which recently passed the House OF
Representatives: =.
"A rcrusal of it. leaves IN impression that
there is rather material discrepancy between
the first and sixth sections. The first provides
that any rc.son who is the true head OF Il t;'nl-
" and il c!liMn of the United States, or vino had
become a citizen prior to January last shall be
entitled. free Of cost, to one Hundred and sixty
acres Of land Oh condition of occupancy for five
years.
The sixth section enacts, however, that any in
divilual now resident in this country, and who,
before seeking benefit from this OiE shall declare
his intention to become citizen, shall be also
entitled to Il free grant on the condition specl-
fed. This provision clearly nuiies the restr!c-
ton imposed by the first clause.
Two other features Of the bill are these, that
it excludes from its bcuctits rartles already IN
the possession Of land, or who may sell land with
an intention to obtain free grant; and that
the land acquired under its regulations shall not
be held liable for debts contracted prior to the
issuance Of the latent.
HOMESTEAD DlLI.-Ihe National inteligenccr
! thus eyprcsscs itself in reference to this bill.
Before the adjournment on "Wednesday, the
bill for the universal ,rgess Of the Public Do
main. to all igudlcss corners was forced through
tue House by vote OF almost two to one; too
large, it is true, but far less Of majority than
had been Anticipated Who indeed but an OBJ
stinately BRAY. man. in u boiy subject las the
Uouse i.) to biennial renovation, would dare to
vote against Bill which makes donation from
the Treasury-tur :hat is the true end and effect
of the Bill-to the amount OF Hundreds OF Mil
lions of Dollars to persons whose poverty from
whatever cause arising, is their only ground Of
title to it TO resist so apparently popular a
measure though dcmonstrably IN unwlse prodl-
galy in itself. and SO certain, rs like effect to-
lows like cause to convert this Republic sooner
Or later, Into dr>potism or acknowledgements
so popular measure us this what but the stout
est nerves could enable any Representative Of the
People to stand up.
In times Of danger to tie Republic heretofore,
We have called to the people To Look to the
Scnatcr \ crisis which Is to determine the
fate Of the ne;uL!;c--wr do not mean immetl-
atclv, Of Course, but coIlseQucnt!y--!s presented
by the passage by the House Of Representatives
Of this ill t. strip the nation Of tic domain
which is IN" h:,>i, Of its credit and lis power; :;
and that ,;i>*ase accomplished 10y turning its
buck Oh aII the Legitimate and important nlel-
auras for the public good. which it has, IL if Sys-
tematcaIiv, ncgiact,,J trr I.e previous sixmonthS
Of the session. This crisis appcas to the Scnae
with greater So!r.nnity tlan ANY that has ever
heretofore ari.cl in tie history Oi tins Govern
mcit For who does not see That til, h.ll Is but
the entering wedge IL lurtncr a!'d to;a! dSpos-
session Of the pubic domain Aad vino does
not sec that he public donla "!!cc exhausted
bv these ..:n;;i;lrg> dotltons--t!!e neNt tIs,A-
in order will IL. the distribution Of the landed
il0,cr;y ct iaG owners aIIp:;g ;EoS" who owl
none ~ not r!!ruS!, to satisfy them. with al the
crnccit- ;.nI consequences; which follow i'll the
train 81! &lc' a"TLri3i! measures: those griI-
tIem2n wiio >vrr,rt this measure, We arc sati'-
fed, fear 10 such consequences. But he who
ha, no latent apprehension ot them mast have
read the history OF the Republics Of old with
other ewes than ours and in Il sense entirely dat
fcrcnt from that in which they were understood
BY their ancestors who, in framing the Govern
mcnt Of this Republic, adapted its parts, and re-
strictcd its Grants Of power, with 4 determined
purpos. to guard it from the errors and corrup-
tions which led to their downfall.
We caanot conclude these few remarks with
out directing the attention of oltr readers to the
fact that a bill Of this consequence was parsed
by q vote which shows that some seventy mem-
bcrs were either absent. or being present, did not
vote upon the question.