Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1852-05-29
The Homestead Bill.

ucbt WIN dppIUYee It's
II will have d most ~beilignant effect mp
OH the citizen, drawing his affection to lli
country more closely, aud strengthening
the bonds Of our Union. II will brins
Joy ID the lieart ut many an ii1dnstrioul
poor man, widow and orphan, will al1oft
them the means of making q comfortable
living and Improve their moral aid soeia
condition. Il will tend to lesson the bur
then of taxation by making careful, indus
trious aid %ptoducive men, Of iiaby who
are now merely consumers, and d tax up.
Oh the industry of others. Under this law
there will be but little or no excuse fol
extreme poverty. Certainly there Dire nu-
|fortutiates, those who are mHimed,: blind
and helpless, who ore deserving all com.
tniseration aud assistance, but under the
operation of this law such cases will be
few md rather exceptions, Us most per.
sons Of this kind are old, aid WHO, lad
they have had the advantage OF this law
would In the prime Of their life have laid mp
sufficient 10 prevent them from want Ia
their old days andif they did not it would
be their own fault. H
The man who with one hundred and
sixty acres Of land cahno make a comior-
table and happy home for himself and his
family. Is Unfit to live, and unworthy tile
name of ali American citizen, The law
will be Of advantage to every State, II will
bring into cultivation rich land now lying
idle aud pfotitless for the want Of hands to
I'LL them. 1t will lessen taxation by max.
ing more persons It's object, and alfordilg
them the means Of paying their portion Of
the taxes. a7
The poor ma will under this law be
dependent upon the blessings Of heaven
alone for rain and health, to secure for him
the necessaries of life.
The person who improves and resides
Upon a place for five years ID not likely to
be lazy, idle or worthless-he must work
to enable him to live for five years upon
one place, aud by the time he has remain
ed upon IL SO long, he will become attach.
ed to i, everything around him will become
an object of affection, and the tangible
evidences Of his industry, the fields which
he has cleared, the houses which he has
built, the ptgs, The poultry and stock which
be has raised will all be objects Of pride and
will endear the place to him, and cheer
him on in his hardy toiL Five years of
toll, epth ne Ia necessary to enable one to
live for tile first few years on a new place,
Will be sufficient to render life without
work q burthen, especially when the la
knows that he will be rewarded for
his toil-there will be no such thing az
work without pay, the reward will be de.
upon that paymaster who is al
just, always kind, and always liber.
ii, Aud what will cheer him on III his
iardy toll, what will make that toll APP
,eaf light will be the proud reflection, that
hc engage IN other business and be
unfortunate, should the cruelties OF a TO-
entless creditor attempt to rohhim Of this
donation from his country--should he
70 turn his wife and children up.
~ tho world homeless, the strong arm of
he law steps in and forbids it. No mat.
er how unfortunate he may be, nothing
their W free will can deprive him
" his family Of a shelter and home. Such
avs do not encourage dishonesty, they
merely protect the unfortunate. Indeed
With such projections there would BE- less
dishonesty in tho way Of conveying pro-
'erty to wives and ~"friends," as there
you'd be less excuse for it.
There IL and can be no valid objection
. the law-she land TO the government is
{ but little value while lying idle, but Il
Of much value to the honest and indus-
farmer who will make it his pride :
, improve and cultivate. The principle :
of this bill are good it excludes :
It's benefits parties already in the pos :
sssion Of land, or who may sell land with
4 intention to obtain a free grant, and the /,
lnds acquired under it shall not be Liable j
I debts contracted prior to the issuance a
the patent. :
There is an apparent discrepancy be- !.
the first and sixth section Of the !,
The first provides that any person /
no is the head of a family and a citizen 4
the United States, or who had become 2
citizen prior 70 January. 1852. shall be =
free Of cost, to leo acres OF land )
! condition Of occupancy for Eve years. 4,
he Sixth section says that any individ-
4 now resident IN this country, and WHO
fore seeking benefit from this act, shall q
his intention to become > citizen, y
oil also be entitled to- free grant on Y
> condition Of occspancy, u
This condition clearly nuliies the res Il
imposed BIZ the first section and II
the bill ensirely anobjectionable. y
The passage OF this bin by q Democratic V
'Agress and its approval BY q Wig p
esideat, will evidence lis total separation Z
n party. and ~ u once credilabls 10 y
] Congress aud rresideat. q