The daily union., 1852-05-07
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH OF HON. +. mcmULLIN,


# OF VIRGINIA, s@Ut
n N, Homestead Bill dei,persd in the House of Rep
rsssntatives. AprA 20. 1852.
The bill TO encourage agriculture. commerce, manuiac.
lures and all other branches OF industry, by granting
vsrv man who is the head of family and citizen OF
lhe United States homestead OF one hundred and sixty
acres Of land OF the public domain upon condition OF
occupancy and cultivation of the same for the period
therein specified, being under consideration in the Com
m;,,ee Of the Whole
m'Nf MI McMULLlN said: Mr. Chairman. regret that i,
has fallen 10 my LOT close this debate 1t is known TO
YOU and to this House that i was my privilege to have
opened the discussion upon this bill | then waived my
right however. TO do 50; and ought in justice TO my
ssf 10 waive il now. would not have attempted upon
ib, address the committee but for the
Of debate which has been forced upon the House and
mon myself by my two worthy colleagues. rMessrs.
MnIsoN and AvERErr.l The subject OF this bill has
been 80 fully fairly and ably discussed by others who
have preceded me. that is almost an unnecessary con-
mmp,on OF time upon my part TO discuss It's merits.
But before approach this subject must be permitted
10 tender my grateful Acknowledgements to the worthy
and distinguished gentleman from PENNSYLVANIA, Int.
DIwsoN.l who opened the discussion upon this bill.
That gentleman is entitled to the thanks OF all the friends
Of This bill He has mine; and think can venture to
tender 10 him the thanks also OF ms constituents. as
also do 10 the worthy gentleman from Ohio, Mr. CABLE
return TOO my thanks to the gentlemen from Illinois,
Messrs FIcKLIN and YATES to the gentlemen from In
DIANA [Nessrs DuNHAM and HEkDRIcKs j to the gentle
men from Pennsylvania, Messrs CHANDLER and Grow
and 10 each and every gentleman who has advocated the
principles Of this bill feel that it s my privilege, if
moi nv duty to tender my sincere thanks to these gentle
men, really envy the honor that 10 due to thedisin-
sushed representative from the first district in Tennes
SEE (bfr JoHNsoNl That gentleman, as said upon
memorable occasion by distinguished man" solitary
and alone, he put this ball in motion" The ball has
rolled on and gathered strength in its progress, until
think shall venture but little OF my reputation in
cohjecturng that the House OF Representatives, when
brought to final vote. will sanction this very just
and important bill Ii this measure should ever be-
come the law of the land. shall look upon the position
Of the distinguished gentleman from Tennessee Mr..
head conceive and the energy and perseverance, TO
consummate, so important and philanlhropc
Yer sir, repeat that shall look upon the position OF
that honorable gentleman being far more desirable
even than that OF General Scott, who, is expected, is to
be the next wg candidate Tor the presidency OF the Uni
ted States. ys ta ty e
made any preparation speak. What shall say, there
fore viii be said from the impulses OF the moment, and
exemporaneously as is my custom and II Is not al all
improbable that shall wind up what little have to say
with the subject of the presidential election lest might
be regarded out Of order. Why. sir, when reported
this bill 10 the House. than Two months ago, sup
posed that had of itself merits sufficient induce gen.
emen TO confne themselves to the discussion OF the bill
But. instead Of that having been pursued gentle
have made this bill the political scape goat upon
which to hang political speeches bearing the election
Of a President think, sir this is all wrong Gentle
men have, however, differed with in relation to this
natter; and il, therefore, shall follow their example.
hope shall not be considered out OF order think that
vnlemen upon both sides OF the House have consumed
ach of the public lime in making presidential speeches
AAe detrimeni OF many important public measures
Ir Chairman the first question in regard TO this bill
mich presents itself TO the mind OF every as TO
s cons,,uonal,y This bill. like all others upon which
the members Of Congress called to vote should FIRST
receive their careful and calm consideration as to the
power OF Congress TO pass such law. have asked
myself the question: " Have the power under the
Stuton. TO vote for such bill the one under consde
ration " IL, sir concnred in the views OF my two dis
lngushed colleagues, lMessrs. MILLsos and AvERxTT
who have addressed the House ably the progress OF
this debate, upon the subject Of constitutional law,
should be esiopped al from giving the vote which
contemplate giving But ask il there any force in
the arguments which adduced by my colleagues,
BY the gentleman from Maine, [Mr FULLER, and the
other gentlemen Who have raised this constitutional diff
feuy 1t is known my colleagu that do not pro-
less 10 be constitutional lawyer but do claim 10 have
little common do claim TO understand the Ian
Of the very painest provisions OF constitution
Wha, Is that language Here it's:
"Ths Congress shall have power dispose Of and
nedfu rules and regnatons respecting, the territory
oher property belonging 10 the Usited States"
The constitutional objection raised by my colleagues
hu been met and ably met. by the gentleman from Ten
1ee, Mr.. JoHSsos,1 the gentleman from Mississippi,
lMr BRows,l and by many other distinguished gentle
who have preceded me in this discussion But in
amuch the remarks OF those gentlemen may reach
that portion OF the people OF Virginia that have the
honor 10 represent beg leave 10 be heard upon this sub
se in advance Of the vote which am about TO give
had hoped that my colleagues would have contenied
themselves with giving silent vote against the bill /
had hoped that when the whole delegation from Virginia.
with perhaps the single exception OF myself, going
without raising this constitutional question: and bringing
bear against me the mighty power and influence of their
in,elects.
Now, sr, my colleague. tMr. MILLsoS,I so learned
constitutional law, asked several questions of the gen
ueman from Mississippi, [Mr Baows,l but he would not
permit mat gentleman TO answer some OF those questions
SH think these learned gentlemen hardly have
Rreo oeioe they raised this constitutional difficulty.
Inc Congress daH hare po1er 10 dispose Of, and make
a neediw rules and regulations respecting, The territory
qm Unued States" What stronger palmer lang uage
could have been used by those wise patriots who framed
ne constitution OF our country than this But my col.
Hues are really 80 very over-learned on the subject
Constitutional law that they disposed upon many
ess,ons, as we say in the mountains, the thing
,0o m me ground. Both those gentlemen, properly
,snated by my friend from Tennessee, voted during
we ast Congress 10 give the swamp lands the States
ney both voted, also proved upon them by the
sehueman IRON Tennessee, for the soldiers bounty land
, .m we're 10 ask my colleagues 10 explain satisfac
oy ~ 70 'hs House and TO the country the difference
, ue conshu,ions power OF Congress these three
y.es imagine that their ingenuity would be taxed,
u sten n VAIN, 10 point out sufficient distinction.
VI hfEhETT, Qnterruptng) suppose the gentle.
oohflels me OF usurpaton oil power in the grant ot
@e swamp lands, does that make this thing constu-
SMt iou may convict me OF it, and cruelty me for H.
~ va does not affect this question at all II is that
~ hIng that Is bringing this government 10 corrup
W W, ,alnng u, and making right out OF a wrong
in regard 10 the bounty land bill am free 10 say
~ mal doubted the propneiy OF passing that bill
ss'nai ~ 'nai bounty.land bill OF 1850 was passed 10 pay
ssers lor services rendered IN war. | maintain that
ssovetnment has the right 10 the public lands and
puoie treasure 10 pay for services rendered TO The
nnuy. That bill did not make grauiiies 10 foreign
rPe's and TO everybody else Tor no services What.
III nt hcMULLlN. Well, Mr.. Chairman, a consli,u.
N Argument in onposilipp 10 this bill comes with