The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-30
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
THE HOMESTEAD BILL-THE WING cAUCUs-Tl
soUTH-TuE Presidency.

THE HOMESTEAD BILL-THE WING cAUCUs-THE
soUTH-TuE PREsIDENcY.
The House resolved itself into Committee of
the Whole on the state Of the Union-Mr. HIBBARD
in the ohair-and took up the bill proposing to give
10 every man, the head of a family, a homestead
Of one hundred and sixty acres of land out of the
public domain, condition of occupying and cul-
tivating the same for period OF Ave years.
Mr.. WALSH of Maryland, after a few prelimi-
nary remarks In Justification OF not contining him.
sclf the bill under consideration, said he intend
ed 10 discuss matters in particulars personal
TO himself. II was his privilege, a very humble
member Of the Wing party, to attend the first
meeting Of the members of that party in caucus; and
there also il was bis humble privilege to take part in
tie proceedings, and declare bis views and opin-
ions as TO the politics OF the day, and what would
be his ultimate course If the Wing National Con-
vcntion shall not adopta certain platform. He was
confined at home by sickness on the occasion Of the
last caucus; but he was here to-day in the exercise
OF a privilege which belonged 10 him as a member
this floor, to endorse TO the fullest extent, what
has been said by the retiring members of that
CAUCUS in their recent address, although he could
not do II in the vigorous phraseology which they
employ to represent their views This was person
ally important 10 him, but OF no consequence TO the
nation; because, when any thing great or glorious
is 10 be done aud the nation TO be saved, and the
Constitution vindicaed, Kentucky seems TO have
a pltcnt-right TO perform that duty. He did not
intend 10 infringe on that patent.
After further remarks, he nvowed himself as a
friend to the Conslitution and the Compromise; and,
in justification of bis action, he proceeded TO the re-
cital of events in our history, which he said were
perhaps familiar all. He observed that the South
had been engaged in constant battle, from the time
Of the adoption of the Constitution TO the present
period, struggling for their rights. They have
been continually compromising for the compro
miscs OF the Constitution. Their first surrender
under the ordinance Of ISL Directly the
North discovered that the South were tremuloUs,
and disposed 10 give up, never, until the South
showed the white leather did the Aboitonists ar
ray Themselves against the Constitution. That
ordinance had worked its way, having settled the
northwestern territory, and the people had forgot
ten IL. He then alluded to the Missouri COmpro-
mise and that adopted during the last Congress,
both growing out Of the acquisition Of territory at
the expense of the entire people The South have
given up every thing except the Fugitive Slave law,
the only remnant they have lef They should
never have consented TO have been driven to this
surrender. lie alluded TO other matters in this
conneSon ;nndin conclusion corrected point Of his
tory to the number Of pcrsons present at the first
Wing caucus. quarter of an hour before the meet
ing was organized he and his colleague Mr.. EvASs)
counted forty five members. lie knew that n num-
Der came in afterwards, and to the best Of his be-
lief there sixty members present; almost
as numerous ne the body which recently assembled
in the Senate Chamber TO FIX the time and place
for he assembling If the National Convention.
With the exception OF the gentleman from Penn.
sylvania, (Mr. .STEvESs,) the gentleman from
Ohio, (Mr. STAHroS,) and the gentleman from
Massachusetts,, (Mr. FowLEa,) none retired from
the meeting when the gentleman from Kentucky
(Mr. mARsHALL) declared That nc should c0hsider
the vote, laying upon the table the Compromise
resolution, n test.
Mr.. EVANS said that was true.
MIR. WALSH resumed, and concluded his
marks.
Mr. JOHNSON, of Tennessee, obtained the floor,
end gave way for n few moments TO
MIR. HEM, who said he bad prepared n speech
in favor OF the bill and would hand II 70 the printer
for publication.
Mr.. JOHNSON, Of Tennessee, then answered
arguments which had been urged in opposition 10
the bill; and contcnded that the lands ac-
quircd for the purpose Of settlement and cultiva-
ton; and, in carrying out this design, the highest
obligation contemplated by the Constitution is ful
flei lie exhibited in various aspects the OCef.
cent operations Of the measure before the Com
mittee.
Mr. McMULLEN defended the conslitutionality
OF the bill, and favored its provisions generally;
and, in conclusion, declared, while speaking oi
political parties, that he would vote for no
man for President who will not, in good faith,
carry out the provisions Of the Constitution. lie
hoped the Baltimore Democratic Convention will
require their nominee TO pull of his boot and make
his footprint in the sand II he had bis way, nc
would read out OF the political church every Aboli.
ZIONIST.
The general debate here closed.
The committee r0sc-
And The House adjourned
PETITIONS.
BY Nj. j. w. HOWE: The petition of ID. Nc.
Cay and thirty eight others, citizens Of Clarion
county, Pennsylvania, praying Congress TO cstab.