The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-05-13
JUST SENTIMENTS.

Mr. Johnson OF Tennessee, who has dstIn-
guished himself by his early and persevering
efforts in behalf of the Homestead Bill, deliv-
cred an excellent speech in its support a few
days since, from which we extract the follow
ing passage, Astounding, as it does, in gener-
Gus and truthful sentiments:
" Pass this BILL and you inspire the People of
your country with faith in their Legislatures
with faith in their Government, and at the
same time inspire their bosoms with the hope
OF doing better hereafter. | said that the bill
embraces sound principles of religion. 1t en-
braces the religion inculcated by St James 1t
embraces holy religion make use of the
word in no irreverent sense-that divine arch
of promise whose extremitities rest upon the
horizon, and whose span circles the universe
What do we find in this bill We find the
widow and orphan provided for, and that, too
in strict cOnsonance with the Constitution and
its great principles.
:" have spoken of St. James. He tells you
what? He tells you that pure and undetiled
religion consists in extending charity to the
widow and orphan. This bill embraces that
principle, and that too, without going upon the
abstract principle of charity outside of the Con-
stitution. Is that all have read some
where-but expect that there are some alb
stractionists who would not take it as good
authorty-that upon the broad principle OF
charity, he who giveth to the poor lendeth to
the Lord VIII some of these abstractionists
take Him as their debtor in this transaction
or are they afraid he IN bad pay! Look at
this measure from first to last, and we find the
great principles it embraces | know that
sometimes care not how honest an indi
vidual may be in his purposes and whether he
be actuated by the best of motives and inten.
uons-there are some persons who have such
poor opinion Of frail and deprayed man, that
they cannot respect any motive. Perhaps that
may grow out of very bad opinion of them.
selves. All have to say upon this occasion in
conclusion of the few remarks which | will be
permitted to make is that so far rs know, he
who impugns my motive in this case, as low
as to thy heart through the false passage Of
thy throat thou lest
mark is general. know that my prejudices
are very great but | also know that my SYM
pathies are strong for the labOring and toiling
thousands Of the United States know some.
thing about the privations and hardshps that
an individual has to undergo in this or any
Government where gaunt poverty is staring
him in the face. know how to appreciate his
suferngs, and consequently my sympathies are
strong for those who have to toll. | admit it
Gentlemen may call it prejudice or mistaken
sympathy; but 80 long as have tongue to
speak, or vote to give regardless of the men,
aces, threats or intimidation of men, here OF
elsewhere, intend to stand up and yindicate
the rights and interests of the lab0ring men,
Tor without them we are nothing. They con-
stitute the physical and producing power OF
the Government and which makes it what
it is
In speaking of this subject, have not the
time to elaborate it as should like. Gentle
men talk here about taking away the popula-
ton of the old States Let me ask the Old Do
minion, let me ask North Carolina-God bless
| her and although as the Romans would cal
1t, she is not my alma mater, yet she is my mother
Although poverty gaunt and haggard monster
| expatriated me from her limits, and was driven
to my adopted State, where every FIBRE every
tendril of my heart il cntwined with the inter
ests Of her people, yet still North Carolina il
my native Stale, and In my heart respect and
! love her. When, therefore, appeal to you in
behalf of the poor North Carolinian. my own
brother, know his condition. ! know some
thing about the condition of the poor man in
the State of Virginia and elsewhere, who, with
his wife and little ones, lives upon the corner
of some mans farm, or upon some stony ledge
or some barren, piney plain, where, with hi
utmost toll upon his appointed spot of earth
| he can make but scanty subsistence to supply
his necessities and those Of his family
Gentlemen say here that you will by this
bill take away the lsb0ring man from the old
States, Look at his condition. DO you no,
see, under the circumstances that surround
him there, that his condition is unalterably
fixed and that he can never extricate himself
from the iron grasp Of poverty! Where is the
man, abstractiOnst North Carolnian, Virgin
ian, or citizen Of any other State, who has
heart that beats with love for his kind and ra
trotism for his country, that could say to him
DO not 20 away stay here in your poverty
do not go and settle upon the new rich, and
fertile lands of the West, but stay here, lnger
wither, and die in your poverty and where tho
| only Inheritance which yoa can leave to your
children is your posertyp care not whether
a man lives in my district or some other dis
trict-thcre is not foot Of public land in my
district care not where man lives. IL he
can do better in MIR. Mssons district in old
Kentucky than he can in Tennessee say, 90
IL he can do better in Indiana, Illinois, Mis-
souri,, Arkansas and Mississippi, say, 60, bet
ter your condition make yourself better cit
zen and improve the condition Of your kind
care not where ne g,ws, that 40 oos,is;
himself to this great area Of freedom The
fact Of his living ON this or the other side o
the State line makes no difference, il he 10
Gates himself somewhere in this great area o.