The daily union., 1852-05-13
REMARKS OF MR.. FREEMAN,
on lhs H0meslead BiR--under Me Fiue- -Aiinu.s.

On Inc homestead bM--under the Ftuc-Ntnucs Rue
MIR. FREEMAN said Mr.. Chairman am opposed to
The amendment OF the gentleman from Indiana, [Mr.
PARKER | wish. however, to say word two
upon the. constitutional power of Congress which is
asserted BY this homestead bill The gentleman from
Texas Mr.. HowARDl has denied that Congress pos
sesses any such power. AS TO this general power un-
der the constitution, gentlemen have argued if the
sole power which Congress has over the public domain
TO be found in the third section OF the fourth article OF
the constitution Now, it is el-settled rule OF legal
nterpretaton--appcable alike TO contracts, statutes,
and cons,iiutions-that all acts and parts Of acts IN
p0rt materiG shall be construed together.
Our title TO the public lands is not derived from the
constitutions but from the resolutions of the Congress of
the confederation and the grants OF the several States
based thereon Looking at the history OF the public
lands anterior to and in connexion with the formation Of
the constitution, undertake say that there no point
clearly settled than that Congress has the power
encourage he settlement of tie pubc lands that power is
expressly granted by the resolutions OF l7so and subse
quen resolutions passed by the Congress Of the conedera
ton. The object OF the States in ceding the lands
FIRST to pay the debt incurred by the of the revolu.
ton; and second TO settle the public lands aud construct
them into separate republican States. Now, the debt Of
the OF independence has been paid and the treasury
reimbursed for the purchase of the lands and maintain
that the constitutions in connexon with the articles of
cesson, authorizes Congress TO pose OF and make all
needfu rules and regulations in regard TO this land Tor
the purpose OF building up the States Of the confed-
eracy The first act of Congress after the lands
ceded the ordinance OF 7S7 wherein three distinct
States laid off in the Northwest Territory But, in
order TO make this provision douby sure, the constitution
subsequently, adopted, provides that all debts CONTRACT
and engagements entered into before It's adoption shall be
pad the United States indr This constitution as unds,
The confederation" Thus the resolutions OF Congress
adopted anterior 10 the constitution and the deeds of
sion based thereon, are ratified by the constitution itself
And what the provisions OF these deeds OF cession
and acts Of Congress' They that the ceded lands
shall be divided into distinct republican States, with all
The rights OF ssreregny and freedom and independence
the old States. Thus the government has the power 10
settle these lands. And order to encourage their set
emcn we have the right TO grant one hundred and sixty
acres each actual settler And why do not sustain
the bill upon the ground that have the right 10 con-
vert the federal government into great aims house for
the support OF the poor and INDECENT We have power
10 bestow charities, donate lands for purposes in
consistent with ell-established public policy OF
creaslng and building up new republican States within
our limits sustain the principle OF the bill the
ground that we have the right pay for public services
rendered. Do not pay registers, receivers and
surveyors. Land Office Commissioner and all his
clerks Are they not engaged in furtheng the public
and policy BY preparing il for seaiemsni2 and is
the public service OF the settler equal in dignity
and public profl' What greater public service can
be rendered ihan that OF the pioneer, who shoulders
his axe and his gun, leaves the abodes of luxury
ease, and the refined pleasures OF fe makes the iores
his home and the wild beast his companion and Drawing
all The perils of ioreser's lfe finally subdues the
wilderness TO the support and comfort Of man Is
such labor for the benefits Is il not for the
common benefit Of all the States 10 encourage the
opening OF roads in the wild lands, the erection ol
Sir, there be any public policy marked upon the his
tory OF this country such is the public land policy OF the
United States in principle and practice.
.sy w n9t s'm me 61 %
eminent upon the face OF the earth whose public policy
relation to public lands extend Jurisdic-
uon TO increase IFS population to increase its productions
TO produce all the staples necessary for the country and
10 extend lis numbers and its power the face of the
earth II there is principle palmer than another in
the history Of our public lands, i s this principle And
have we not the power to aid in the Accomplishment OF
this great work think we have.
lHere the hammer fell