Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-04-17

very easily corrected by the committee when we come to
examine it in detail If the principle is right we
have nothing to fear from the details which win be
carefully scanned not only by the friends of the BILL but
carefully perhaps and more satisfactorily scanned
by the opponents OF the bill.
Mr. Chairman my business is with the one grand fea-
ture Of the proposed enactment If the principle right
the details may easily be accommodated to the intentions
of the Trainer and the views of Congress Ii the principle
is wrong, then all labor upon the bin will be only making
or less acceptable that which ought not to be
ceived
1t my impression, until the honorable gentleman
from Maine (r. FuLLER) addressed the committee on
this BILL that there question OF the constitutional
power Of the Government dispose of these lands as the
bill provides But that gentleman startled me with the
assertion that these attempts unjust and without
law equity And Of course all that has been done in
stead Of becoming precedent for action be regard
ed by as the U will not say the crimes Of our
predecessors But could discover that the honorable
gentleman sustained himself upon the legal side of his
gument sufficiently to require response. shall cast
glance at what he advances with regard to the equity of
the Neutrality-suspicious. 1T is just equal to bestow lands
upon portion andnot upon another The fayors of
the Government says the honorable gentleman, like
the dews Of heaven, should fall upon ali alike"
The figure is beautiful but apposite-not iustra-
tive "The dew Of heaven falls on all who place them
selves within its extent But that dew which would
down with bessngof beauty and richness one would
chill and destroy another. The evening plant win open
its petals to the rich descent of dew that shall give it
beauty and lustre while the morning flower will shrink
from the chilling freshness and ask the warmth and the
light Of the ascending
Sir thefavors of Government like the dews Of heaven
should when falling, be for all that need their influence
But the grass parched field, or the heritage Of
arid waste should not be denied the dews Of heaven be-
certain plants not improved by that falling
moisture because the irrigated and luxurious meadow
has need of such gentle waterings In all places
where rain abounds dews light but in Chill and in
Egypt where rains these dews supply the place
of showers Thus Heaven tempers its providence to the
wants of man. and teaches Governments to make their
favors useful by varying them in kind to suit the various
wants Of the people.
The remarks which am making upon the argument Of
the gentleman from Maine apply intended to ap-
ply to the speech of the honorable gentleman from v
ginia Mr.. AvERETT whose earnestness and sincerity
always his views to respectful consideration
The whole history Of country is marked with prece
dents for the disposal of public lands to institutions
corporations, and to Individuals and foreigners
and women, who have sought refuge from the revolu
tonary whwnds of Europe have received grants of
rich public lands And these precedents are identified
with legislation that declaration of want Of power
will disturb the possession of the holders change the
practice Of Congress The right is not denied by the
constitution the w and is established and sustained
by continual custom. If have constitutional right
give away the public lands to foregnsrsand it is ap
parent that practice in the absence of all conflicting eg
ation constitutional prohibition, establishes that right
them ortior, we have the right to divide them
choose among citizens.
The question Of rghtful power being thus ndspuabe,
it becomes necessary to institute examination of the
question Of expediency and equity connected with
public and private good.
Mr.. Chairman il is lawful but is it expedient? Gall
things, says high authority, all things lawful to
me- but all things not expedient
First. Why should the land which has been acquired
by conquest purchase be given to particular citizens
when it is the property of all
Second Why should the living in the far West,
willing to the far West be favored with quantity
of land sufficient for farm when he who lives in the
old States which achieved our independence must be
content with what he nheris what he purchase
what is still worse must be content without either in
heritance purchase?
Third Are there for such departure from the
customs of the country connected with private
right and public profit will they be promotive Of gene
raj morals and pure patriotism; and So make
the gifts available to the class of citizens whose benefit
would promote; and that being So can we make the
gifts available to that class without injury to others
Nay, will these donations be promotive Of the
good Of the whole Unless these questions be affirm
avey answered, the Representatives of the peo
pe have only to withhold from the project
they can be armativey answered to the satisfaction Of
the House. need not say what should be the vote of the
members. l need not say what scould be the vote.
allow myself to doubt the purity and patriotism of
the motive of the members of the House, and when any
question proposed here Mr. Chairman in which party
attachment and public good may appear in antagonist
always know how the vote win 60 The country will have
the majority 1t is true that party discipline win leave
guard party interests but the main body will march
to the side of the country.
With this view of the character Of this House. will
proceed to examine the queries
must be evident that have reached point where
these public lands cease to be the of direct
the nation Claims Of various kinds multiply
beray towards those who have served the country en-
arged announcements TO public enterprises and charity
afflicted emgrants placing these possessions of the
nation in position that forbds hope for the Treasury
from them and that, Mr. Chairman is not all The
beraty of the Government that bestows much public
domain rewards Herewith many entitled to public
consideration is not inducing settlement but generally
it is placing millions of in the hands of Spectators
who have and win never see their and
cheaply acquired estates.
What we need compensation for our land flor at
any rate the price when sold is nomna) is settlement
and the plan proposed In this bill is that shall
into possession of single of the soil until he
enters upon its occupation and Improvement This con-
slider of the strong points Of the IT, without
public claims without military service these lands were
to be given in undivided Masses benefit the public
could result because the right of settlement and the
benefit Of presumption already exist therefore led
to regard this disposition of portion ofhe lands pre-
sentng Of assisting public pslice promoting pub
lie good and gratifying natural and laudable long
ing of the human heart.
And the growing advocacy of this bill here, and the
strong expressions in its favor abroad show that the wish
is national
Mr.. BEALr, (interrupting) Especially in Europe.
Mr.. CHANDLER. / thank the gentleman for the hint
Where the down-troddcn millions are looking across the
Atlantic for home -
Mr.. BEALE nterrupting) Which you give to the Jail
birds and Of Europe and deny II to people
Mr.. CHANDLER. Looking across the Atlantic for home
where they seek place to plant their feet and their
affairs And come they will, however may legislate
Shall not them In sefdefence well for motives
Of humanity invite them away from overcrowded cities
and enable them to devote themselves truth and Cod
and become missionaries for MORALS truth politics.
rcli0ion piant than alono o,r