The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-06-08
The Homestead Bill In the Senate.


The new socalistic land scheme, which dcmagoguic
one branch Of Congress, WILL in the event of its be-
coming law, either turn out one OF the most ridi-
culous nullities that ever cmanated from egisla-
tive body, or else, if properly amended. operate
with pernicious influence against all the existing
interests of society. 1t was measure promoted
and carried by political firebrands, who had neither
the sense to perceive its unayailabity to work out
any good in its present shape, nor calculate the
effects Of the revolutions which. if made operative it
must inevitably produce in the whole civilized
world But with its results, in any way. those who
carried the measure had no sort of sympathy nor re-
gard. 1t nothing but political coup de man,
calculated to subserve political ends. Demngoguism,
in both the great parties of the country, fraernzed
in foistng this ridiculous enactment thus far upon
the people, utterly reckless of its consequences. Ii
commends iseft to political partisans in variety of
shapes; and 50 much is it influenced by party mea-
sures and presidential campaigning, that conscrva-
tive journals in this city. who to-day open upon it
the full measure of their inyectve and condemna-
tion turn to it tomorrow ana endorse it with al
most parental affection.
Any person possessed Of moderate degree OF
common sense. cannot fail to perceive the absurdty
native born and adopted citizcn--and to those not
yet naturahzed, but who shall have taken the pre-
liminary steps for that purposc--who shall be the
head OF family, quarter section Of public land
located in the far West So far this sounds all very
well. and the measure looks to be Of most benef-
cial tendency; but when one comes to consider the
matter more attcnhyely and to look ut il in the
light Of sober reason he finds that it does not pre-
place the settlements Ear away in the wilder
ness, and cannot be reached but after long AMI
weary travel through unexpored forests and praires
The settler who proceeds with his wife and chill
dIen on such n pilgrimage, must DC well fortified,
not only with strength and courage, but with a con-
siderable capital 10 defray the great expenses Of
Transportation, and to support his family until he
can cut down the immense forest trees, build his log
cabin, clear the SOIL sow his seed and reap his har-
vest For this. he must also provide himself with all
the necessary implements and seed, hire laborcrs
and assistants to enable him to make clearing and
erect his cabin buy couple Of oxen and undergo
heavy expenses in a variety of ways, all which are
inevitable no matter how frugally and economically
he goes to work. And, after all. hc would find that
the expenses thus cntailed on his tree farm would
have been amply sufficient 10 purchase ono already
cleared and titled. The great advantage Of this
highly commended measure would then utterly dis
aprear, and the dupc who allowed himself to be
deceived by the golden promises OF these visionary
phanthropists, would at length discover the falsty
Of their specious pretonces, and learn, with dear
bought experience, that he had been sacrificed to
the soIdid interests and vanity Of these selfish re-
formers few might be deceived and tempted to
make these ruinous experiments, but the great mass
OF the people would not be 50 easily duped, and of
course the bill itself would become an absolute null
hty, and only remain on the statute book as q
monument Of legislative folly. To render it at all
operative, the Legislature should have introduced
clause into the bill creating fund out Of which each
actual settler should get government assistance, to
the amount Of I've hundred dollars or more to be
paid back by nstalments, In this way, and this
only could i be Of any practical ability 10 the poor
er classes Of the population. whom il Is particularly
designed to serve but, the bill now stands il i
the merest humbug and delusion
But, suppose that il could produce the results
which il processes to have in view and neople the
wilds Of Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin Iowa and all
the Northwestern territory, with hardy and nume-
Ious populaion-how would its success il this way
operate on the old established States! Why. it
would have most ruinous effect on property in
cities and towns, Wy absorbing the population.
Houses and lands would detcriorate in value
manufacturers and employers, in every branch Of
industry, would have 70 offer proportionately high
rates Of wages to induce artisans, mechanics, and
workmen, to remain in their employment; merchants
and shopkcepcrs would suffer by the same means. |
The cities and towns Of New England would have |
seen their best days, and gradually sink into insg
nifcance. Lowell and other manufacturing towns
will be essentially injured by this dclusion drawing
on their operatives, and increasing the price Of !
labor
Property in the country would likewise be affected
in the same adverse manner. Investments made in