The daily union., 1852-03-14
HOUSE OF Representatives March H. /,
The Horneste adj Bili.

We alluded very briefly 10 this measure some days
SINCE and promised to recur to it more at length on
another OCCASION AS the further consideration Of the
bill in the House of Representatives has been postponed
by consent for short time, we deem the pres
ent fit occasion for edeeming our promise OF course
shall not undertake to discuss the merits of the home
stead bill in detail This has already been done much
ably by its talented author Col Johnson as well
as by other gentlemen Our remarks will be brief, and
confined to the leading considerations which, IN our
judgment, recommend the measure TO public favor
1t is six years since Col johnson embarked in the
enterprise OF securing homes the public lands all
who desire 10 become permanent settlers. For some
time the proposition attracted but little notice and met
with but little favor. Col Johnson was not discouraged
but continued 10 bring forward and press the measure
session after session. until by dn of and
by force of his strong appeals 10 the public Judgment he
secured for the support of friends and advocates in
every portion OF the country, and he now has the graft
6caon TO know that his bill commands the popular
heart, and is destined soon to become law
is unques,onaby true that mode OF disposing Of
the public lands has been which so fully meets
all the claims of justice and equity as this Tie lands
are the common property of the people, and every man.
however humble, has undispuled right 10 the benefits
TO be derived from this property. Our pre- emp
ton system has heretofore held out an encouragement
to the settlement Of the public domain by that class OF
hardy adventures who have constituted the pioneers
and advance guard in enlargng the OF civilization
The homestead bill is the perfection of the pre- e-emption
system il invites the advcnturer to become not merely
occupant, but freehoder, and, in consideration OF
his sacrifices and tolls, 1t invests him with eesimple
title TO home for his wife and children. permanesi
home is held out premium to all who may choose
thus TO enjoy their portion of the public domain. The
government does not in giving home TO the settler take
anything from others having better right the land
only provides easy and simple mode by which every
one can use and enjoy bis own portion OF common
property The pre-emptoner goes upon the public land
by the suferance of the law, but he does not go upon il
and mark out a home as his own. Colonel Johnson's
bill elevates him from a tenant at suerance 10 free.
holder; invests him with all the dignity OF Free
holder The moment he plants his foot on his quarter
section he begins feel and act like man who has
country in which he has in reality an inheritance, and
whose honor and glory he would die TO defend No man
can say TO him, "You trespasser my land" No
one can complain ha, the law is partial for it secures
like benefits to ALL and the common property is sufficient
TO meet the claims OF all who may desire have its ben
eis II is, therefore, eminenty just and equi-
table.
II was favore sentiment with General Jackson, that
the public lands should TO be looked to a
OF revenue. and amongst the last OF the noble declara-
tons which he made the repetition Of this seni
ment Whilst the homestead bill carries out this sen
men it does not interfere with the amount OF revenue
at least il does not diminish it, II the actual settlers
confined to alternate sections, il is clear that the unsettled
PORTIONS of the lands will be thereby much enhanced
in value as TO be worth as much all the lands gov
ernment prices. The OF the government there.
fore will not be diminished If look alone to the pro-
ceeds of the sales OF the lands But in another view,
the homestead bill may be properly urged revenue
measure. To give home his own is TO give
him the ability and the disposition TO become taxpayer
As soon as he feels himself identified with the SOIL his
industry is stimulated, his pride is excited his ambition
is aroused, and he puts forth all his energies TO improve
his condition and to command the comforts of life lie
soon becomes the consumer OF those articles of necessity
and soon afterwards those OF luxury, which the
nue. is raised In this way this will swell the
list Of xpayers and necessarily swell the amount OF the
revenue. And just in the proportion that the number Of
tax payers is increased the number OF customers Of
home manufacturers is swelled II the homestead bill
adds to the ability and number OF the Of do.
mestc manufactures and is, therefore, measure OF
benefit and protection to home industry"
We shall moi undertake TO enlarge upon theAnterest
which the government has in being sustained by citizens
who have strong motives for attachment 10 our nstu-
tions This has been avoriie theme with many oi our
eminent statesmen; and they have all concurred in the
sentiment that there is consideration so powerful as
inleres in the soil in causing to love their gov
eminent. The homestead bill invites The landless
throughout the country to become reeholders and, in
doing il erects around institutions the sures, bull
wark Whether we look TO the interest OF the landless
or 10 the interest OF those who have lands. the
Is demanded by The highest considerations Of public poll
cy We look TO it's early adoption as "a fixed fact"a
we shall hail it, when adopted, Of the most i'm.
portant steps in the progress Of the times