The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-09


THE HOMESTEAD BILL.
The House resolved itself into Committee Of
the Whole on the state Of the Union-Alr. HiB-
sApp in the chair-aud took up the bill granting
homestead OF ono hundred and sixty acres oi land
TO every citizen Of the United States, on condition
of occupying and cultivating the same for a Pc
riod of five years
Mr.. AvERETT concluded the remarks which
he commenced yesterday, in opposition to the bill.
YOUNG AmHRIcA-oLp FoeIEs-THE PRESIDENTIAL
QUESTION.
Mr. POLK briefly recapituated the reasons which
induced him to support the Homestead bill, and
then branched of to speak Of matters connected
with party politics. He avowed himself one of those
denominated Young America. He was for Young
America, but his definition OF 1t might differ from
that of others. What he understood 1t to be was,
go along with the progress OF the age. that our
Republic may live In the eyes OF the world, ana we
fulfil our great mission. What he meant by Young
America was those who live up to the present point
| of progress, and are ready, willing, and deter
mined WELD the power of this Republic to carry
out the principles to which he had alluded He
| objected to blows being dealt at the old soldiers
who have battled for the success of the Democratic
cause, and who have stood in the front ranks,
| struggling against the common cncmy--the Wing
party. He would consider II parricidal to strike
| blow at their SCARED bosoms. He acted for the
interests of his party, because the success Of the
| principles Of the Government and Progress are
| identified with it.. He might have his references,
as he frankly avowed; but he did not wish TO be
asked, as one of Young America, to strike blow
|
arm should be lifted for that purpose. it would
| fall dead by his eide, when asked to inhct blow
on that noble veteran, who has served his country
in various positions. with dignity abroad and with
|, honor at home, and now stands among men, APP
o coaching to his three score and ten. "thc nobest
Ro nan OF them ALL AS for himself, he stood
here as an honest Democrat. ready TO place his
hand o. the altar of his party-and that altar he
cons slider ed the altar OF his country-and declare
that he wo uld sustain and vote for the nominee OF
the Baltimo re Convention; and, If any eacriice
,fra T.. thArA hn o,H> ii
Democrat who will not do this? [Seyeral voice.:
uNone. y "uone.."l Is there who will try to
paint on his flag hi own preference. and ask us to
obey il? The Wing. nave their troubles. ana we
have ours: but we will arrange ours in the Balt
more Convention; and l.. they can get into con-
vention they arrange tnelrs'
He then charged that the Wings are responsible
for the agitation of the slavery question they were
responsible for it's origin; and tn ey have nourished
it, fed it, and stimulated it to the resent hoor' ana
if any thing should grow out of it destroying the
Republic. TO them will belong the bla. me- ana par.
ticularly to the Southern Wings, who, lie saiu are
leagued with the Northern Abolitonist.' without
whom they would not have strength en-. ugh =
claim the consideration OF party. The Co, "P,o
misc measures, he insisted, were passed by Tue
votes of men belonging TO the Democratic parry
with slight postscript of Wings, scarcely enough
| to swear by; and notwithstanding this, the Wings
proclaim TO the country that they are the beet
Compromise men.
He replied to the remarks of Mr.. CABELL, OF
Florida, which were delivered ON the first day OF
the present session, with regard 10 the action OF the
Wing Congressional caucus on the subject VI the
Compromise. saying. among other things, that not
third Of the Wings approved of it as fnality
"A to the Democratic caucus, as there were only
eighty nine out Of one hundred and forty-two De
n,ocratic members present, it was deemed proper
TO leave the matter for the action oil the Democrat
ic National Convention, which will reflect the pop
ular will
During the discussion of this subject, Messrs.
Fowler, OUTLAW, and MARSHALL, of Kentucky,
made explanations as TO particular points In con
troversy.
MIR. POLK in referring to the Presidency, asked
whether the Wings were merely going to point TO
General SCOTS military acts, and cay that the old
soldier fought in Mexico; that he has heretofore
painted his principles hi5 banner, but viii now
refuse to do it. lie would ask the gentleman from
Kentucky, (Mr. WARp,) who addressed the House
yesterday, whether that gallant spirit Will refuse
TO declare what he is for politically he would
ask any Wing whether, if General Scost should be
elected, he would sanction any change or modih
cation OF the Fugtive Slave law? Ia pause.l lie
there voice to answer?
Mr.. WHITE, Of Kentucky, arose. lie believed
lac authorized TO cay. from General Scott, that
he Is opposed TO any alteration OF any measure
contained in the Com promise.
Mr.. POLK asked, Will he put this in writing!
Does the gentleman feel authorized 30 to state? Is
the gentleman authorized by General Scott to cay
that, as President, If any such afhicton should
be brought upon the country, that he would veto
bill for alteration, amendment, or chan ge IN the
Compromise acts, and particularly the Fugitive
Slave law
Mr.. CAMPBELL, Of Ohio. desired to pot n quc.
ton. lie did not speak for any candidate, but he
! undertook to say that General Scott is Wing;
that he is in favor Of the established doctrines of
the Wing party, and that no Wing President Will
veto bill on the sore of enpediency alone. Now,
be wished to know of the gentleman from Ten
nessee what Democratic candidate, II any, ls
pledged to veto, in advance, Law that he hmseli
docs regard in violation of the Constitution In
other words, what Democratic candidate isit who
pledges TO veto bill on the score OF expedicncy
alone?
Mr.. POLK. The gentleman from Kentucky I'M
| dcrstands General Scott one way, and the gentle
| man from Ohio another.
Mr.. Campbell remarked he expressly said he
did not spcak for any candidate, but only with re-
| spcct 10 what has Rlways been recognised as a
Wing doctrine a. TO the veto power. He hoped the
gentleman would now answer his question. Will
any of the candidates Of the Democratic party
pledge himself, in advance, to veto bill TO change
or modify the Fugitive Slave lawi
Mr.. POLK. Tes, all Of them. tLaugbter.l In
| the conc lusion of his remarks he condemned the
course Of the Democratic papers which have sew
orally assailed Buchanan, Marcy, Cass, Douglas
! and other prominent gentlemen, and held the edi-
tore all alike criminal, although he was for Young
| America.
MIR. CHANDLER, OF Pennsylvania, obtained the
floor but gave way for a few moments to.
Mr.. CAMPBELL, Of Ohio, who said he under
stood the gentleman from Tennessee TO assert that
! all the Democratic candidates for the Presidency
| are pledged 10 veto bill which Congress may
hereafter pass TO modify in any way the Fugitive
Slave law lie UNDERWOOD the gentleman 10 state
0IstlnCtl7s
matter Of vcr, great interest and satisfaction 10
the people Of the country to have that pledge re.
duoed to writing; AID, u money was any induce
meni, he would undertake to pay to him or TO any
other gentleman one tboo.and dollars for any such
pledge.
Mr.. CHANDLER said, that while he expressed
his gratitude in Obtaining the hOc ne iet ~ to be
great disadvantage 10 stand before the commit
tee at the present moment. There has been a
spice Of politics infused into the debate upon ths
occasion, and something Of wha, the bos.ts call
sspce, which listened TO With pleasure By
the House; for however much gentlemen may b.
disturbed Ivy occasional attacks on their party
feelings, there IL no man but who would rather
smile than cry over what is said, though unkindly
meant lie had nothing 10 shy on the subject Of
the Presidency, nothing as to Young America or
old fogyism, although he understood the gentle
man from Tennessee 10 proclaim himself identi.
fed with Young America and opposed to old fogy-
ism. II he had time he would follow this up, for
the difference between his sgc and that Of the gem
tlcman would authorize him in making few re.
marks Of sdmonition. In all ages, and times, md
I countries, old fogyism hss been that which has
saved nations from the rashness and inprudence
, Of Young - whatever may be. Laughter
Mr.. POLK In what said, ] meant only the
1 auirft n fbc nd NOT trcnnblinr mi and