The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-02

which the North, East, South. and West, are to be
1 benefited in this way.
The SPEAKER ovcrrued the point OF order.
Mr. HEM said that he merely rose to explain
the bill.
| Pending the question to refer il TO the Commit
tee OF the w hole on the state OF the Union
The House resolved itself into Committee OF the
Whole on the state of the Union, and took up the
HOMESTEAD BILL,
Proposing to give to every man, citizen of the
United States, one hundred and sixty acres Of
land, on condition of occupying and cuitivating
the same for period OF five years.
Mr.. PORTER, Of Missouri. addressed the COM
mittoc. As to the bill under consideration, he had
only to say, if the effect of its passage would be to
people the wilde OF the West with hardy pioneers.
and cause the desert to blossom the rose, and
the waste places to rejoice, then he had nothing to
cay against II il such efiecs likely to result.
But while gentlemen claim for this measure such
great advantages for the pioneers who to settle
up the domain Of the western country, he would
ask, II they have such special regard for this class
oil persons, who, with the rifle shoulder and
the axe on the other leading the advancing col
umn OF emigration, and redeeming the soil from
the savage and the wild beast-if they have really
such regard for the hardy pioneers which they pro
less to have, he would ask gentlemen, while they
are inviting denizcns Of this and every country TO
go to the western country and there earn bread for
their families, to be munhcent III their chart
ties, and give fair, reasonable portions OF these
very lands, which gentlemen say the General Gov
| crnment holds in trust for the common benefit, for
purpose of aiding the pioneersto construct roads
and make internal improvements, that they may
from their wilderness homes send their surplus pro-
ducts to market.
IL, he repeated. gentlemen wish to induce hardy
pioneers to go into the wilderness with view Of
| settling il up, they ought, at the same time, to
give them some means by which their homes will
be rendered comfortable; otherwise, he would say
to gentlemen who advocate the passage Of this bill,
that they will not be entitled to the gratitude of
the hardy pioneers. He then proceeded to advo-
cate the policy Of giving lands for railroad pur-
poses. and, among other things, set forth the ad-
vantages which will result from the construction
OF the railroad from Hannibal to st. Joseph, and
that from ST. Louis to the western limits Of Mis-
| souri-bills donating lands to aid in the construc-
ton OF which are pending in Committee of the
Whole on the state Of the Union.
MIR. CLEVELAND, Of Connecticut, advocate
the Homestead bill; and then proceeded to speak of
the Compromise acts, referring to. the history of
their passage, and other matters in conDexon
herewith. 1t was Wing measure; and President
Fillmore knew that, unless he could rally his
friends to its support the Wing party would go to
ruin They did not however. change their scnti
ments. General Scott was as active a man as could
be found laboring for the Compromise. The north
crn people are tor liberty; and one who attempts
to make the South believe that they love slavery,
and will run after fugitive slave, should not be
believed There ID not word of truth in it.
Daniel Webster, too, aided in the passage of the
Compromise. Where, at that time. were the little
giants and the big giants of the West' They did
not always vote, but the Wings got it through. He
elected mainly by Wing votes in the States re-
spectively of Mississippi and Georgia; and after
speaking of the Democracy OF Connecticut spoke
against slavery in the strongest terms, and of his
own consistency upon that subject. In conclusion
! Inc replied TO remarks of his colleague, (Mr. In
GEnsoLL,) and alluded to Mr.. RAKToUL in terms
| Of warm communication.
The committee rose; when
The SPEAKER laid before tho House the plan
| a nd estimates for mint in San Francisco; which
document was referred to the Committcoo of Ways
| and Means.
Mr.. NABERS, by general consent, made a per-
sonai explanation, showing in what respect his
colleague, Mr.. BRowN, of Mississippi, had no
doubt Internationally misrepresented him in
speech recently published in the Globe.
The House then adjourned