The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-03-05
SPEECH OF MIR. DAWSON,
OF PENNSYLVANIA,

On the bill granting homesteads 10 actual settlers deiv.
cred IN The House Of Representatives., March 3, 1852.
Mr.. DAW SON | am in favor of the principle of this
bill and Of lis general provisions shall consume but
very small portion OF the time oil the House assigning
the reasons why shall give to il my support.
The proposition TO donate the public lands in limited
quantities. and with certain limitations, 10 actual settlers
OF growing importance and OF increasing interest
TO large portion OF the American people In the few
remarks that | shall submit in support OF the general
proposition shall avoid and discounenance any view
that may approximate or even give color, 10 dwelling
or an agrarian spirit shall avoid any SANCTION or any
attempt at a demonstration, Of the problem that there is
natural indeeasibe right inherent in every citizen 10
occupy and enjoy land without price, condition, grant
The structure OF government is republican, moi only
in theory, but IL is truly IN all its practical operations.
There is no government in existence now, none
known 10 history, where the path 10 honor and dsnc-
lion is so broad and generally trodden that which
has been pointed out under the guidance OF federal
constitution none where the rewards of labor have
been more certain or more generally dlhused
shall treat the question not only wise and Just
in ITSELF but political in its conception and resusas
being intimately connected with and forming part OF our
Political economy.
Our own brief experience as nation is illustrating the
historic truth that governments commit egtegious
that they grow wild in the exravagance OF their expend-
lures the national revenues increase 10 extent evln-
cling not only grea, prosperity but great national wealth
In the oil my remarks, shall take occasion 10
draw the attention Of the House and OF the couay the
large and increasing receipt into The national treasury
der revenue system, and TO the corresponding ex.
pendture that Is marked consequence, leaving the
inference 10 be drawn whether the administration the
government would mol be just pure, and more
economical without any real anticpa from
the sales OF the public lands
In the vast possessions OF the government, known as
the public domain there IS comprised OF fourteen
hundred millions Of Is boundary finds but
scattered beginning the northwestern borders Of
Ohio, which was but recently The frontier settlement,
and extends through the fertile valley oil the Mssssipp
TO the shores of The Pacific ocean, and from the lakes on
the north the Gull OF Mexico and the waters OF tae
Atlantic. u embraces variety Of soil and variety OF
climate, enriched in mineral wealth, and fruitful in ag
rcuural productions. There would TO be nothing
wanting develop its mighty resources, TO elevate il to
the capacity, the power and dignity OF mighty empire,
but 10 encourage is settlement to secure lis improve
ment, to stimulate and strengthen the arm that will fell
the Forest cultivate tue wild prairie, and reclaim the wet
and waste lands TWAS said by eminent author he
who would make spears OF grass grow where but one
would have grown deserved the thanks of the comm.
nifty This remark made IN the spirit of true phil
osophy, and its practical operation in determining new
policy for the management Of the public domain is de-
serving the favorable consideration OF the American Con-
gress.
The title in the general government 10 the public do
main has been acquired by deeds OF cesson and by pur
chase through treaties with the Indians, we'll as with
France Spain and Mexico. The success OF the revou-
ton OF independence gave the colonies Independent
States a claim title TO the country lying situate be.
tween the Canadas and Louisiana, which then belonged
TO France, and from the New England coast 10 the east
bank OF the Mississippi river. 10 avoid feud that
threatened from angry conflict growing out OF unset.
tied State boundaries States equal in sovereignty and
independence coded conveyed TO the general govern
ment their right TO the public domain II Virginia was
not the first lead the way in this great sacrifice or con-
tribution 10 the fund.- il is nevertheless true
and she may refer TO it with pride forming bright
passage on the pages OF her historyhat after the gall
LIANT part she bore in the OF the revolution from the
adoption Of the Declaration of Independence to the sur
render OF CORVALLIS upon her SOIL she conveyed
10 the general government her right the most maani.
cent region OF country upon which the eye OF man has
ever rested i stretches from the Ohio to the Mississippi
and 10 the lakes, and comprises the States OF Ohio
Michigan Indiana Illinois, and Wisconsin, and now con.
,ains population OF 4453, 139 sousa country possess
ing great commercial advsntages-amost unlimited in
AGRICULTURAL resourcespenetrated by beautiful rivers
crossed BY artificial lines OF communication connecting
The Ohio and the Mississippi with the lakes covered
with churches, schoohouses, cities, towns, and villages,
and exhibiting all the evidences OF high and unprece