The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-12
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The HoMEsTEAp BILL.

The House then resolved itself into Committee
Of the Whole on the state OF the Union MIR. HIS
SAID in the chair and took up the bill granting
10 every man, the head Of family, and a citizen
Of the United States, homestead of one hundred
and sixty acres Of land, on the conditions of occu-
pancy and cultivation OF the same Tor hive years.
Mr.. MARSHALL, Of California, after few pre-.
liminary remarks, said that he bound by
many circumstances 10 make come resyonse 10 the
speech recently delivered by Mr.. BsEcgESRIDCE,
although there was no member more unwilling
thhn himsel 10 consume the time Of the commit
tee. He was compelled TO controvert the doctrines
aud sentiments which had been advanced.
u vas prophcsied by one Of the most learned,
acute, and sagacious Of all foreign commentators
on the American Constitution and its institutions,
that the very thing which Is now happening would
happen, and that, instead Of discbarging the con
suutiOnal functions Of the legislative power OF the
country, Congress would become, which II has
not become, but which be ieard il was approach
ing, mere Earring II disCOrdant factions, and ILL
balanced caucus Of Presidential electors.
lie regretted this controversy, and the share
which be had to take IN II. The State Of California
s the great result Of Democratic principles, and
the very incarnation Of American progress. They
owe their existence 10 the doctrines at which
The gentleman from Kentucky snecrs, and which
he did not meet in clear and manly
manner There has come up from the people Of
California a spouse 10 the general expression in
favor II Judge Douglas az a candidate for the Pre-
sidoncy; and he should not represent his people n
he should allow the attack 70 pass unnouccd- On
attack IN spirit and tendency. The nomination IN
California vas a moot significant fact. Look at the
Institutions, the origin. and progress Of that State.
There BEL scarcely village or hamlet Of her sisters
In the COuittcracy that is not represented there.
Therefore" thc best and truDst expression Oi nation.
al sentiment comes from the people whom he ia
psrt represents. They arc, as 1t were, great,
uuprcJudiccd, disintercsted national convention.
They arc not bargaining with any one Tor the pre-
micrship; the army, the navy, the patronage OF the
country, have 10 elect upon them. Being great
.f az b. ola
Joe their expression n favor OF Judge Douglas, and
the warm and ierycnt feelings which be knew t.
exist with the Democracy there, a high Authority,
infinitely tausc nding that Il any other expression
I al opinion IN any other State
The speech Of the gentleman commenced with
an affected defence Of General Butler; and II be
had ceassd when, with polished and powerful
hand, he drew The portrait everybody would have
admired Do; but the likeness was not ~ perfect as
the artist could have made under other crcum-
stauCCs. II the gentleman al here stopped, be
(Mr VI would nov have nothing 20 cay. Bot in
noticing the article in the Dtm0ccdtic ReUi1r,
the gentleman, although be- bad denounced them,
had not denied any fact, direct or by implication
contained therein
Mr.. BRECKENRIDGE replied that he bad pro.
nsuucot the statements in the February number
untrue; aud be- now substituted general for any
particular denial
Mr.. MARSHALL remarked that that was pre-
sscly what be- had laid down; nor did the gentr-
man controvcrt the roasons Of the ReUis,C nor did
he disproye any Of the facts but said that the ari
Gle was generally untrue IN his condemnation II
the Rerirr and his dcnuuciagon Of the author. hc
adrOitly connected the name Of Judge DouGLAs,
whom he held, ~ insinua,ion, responsible for the
c0ur,r II the magazine This charge has been
met aud reluted by the gentleman from Illinois,
/ (Mr RicHARDsOSD whether iB effect has been
done away with remains 10 be seen.
TIE gcntleman's motives were as clear az day
| Hight Every man can see the proc 80 course 81
consultation and egre mcnt which that speech car
/ Rcd out.
The article In the magazine attacked the princi-
] vi of al those candidates whom the gentleman
\ had characterized az the tried nui standard men
! OF the Democratic party. IL war a dOctrnal ar
/ ucIe, emneutly 90, which attacked the principles
| Of those who have been dcnomnaied, and correctly
80, "old ioRies" There arc lo,s Of " old loeics,
candidates for the Pres dency, to1, in the Demo.
cratic party, llaughtcrl and he was obliged TO