Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1852-05-20

proved this money that we have paid into the Treasury
taken TO construct your breakwafers improve sour
harbors, and build your light houses upon the Atlantic
coast. And yet Maine, and New York, and Virginia
cry. hold on TO the lands; tax them, we must have
revenue from them Sir the pioneers Of the West have
paid enough, let their have cheap lands. Give the
young mon OF the country lands upon easy terms, and
they as independent farmers will make you good re-
turn OF virtue, OF patriotism, and Of revenue.
Mr. Chairman, Ia this connection will refer to the
sentiment OF President Jackson expressed twenty years
ago.. And do so with great pleasure for he under
stood Western insterest, and comprehended the impor
lance Of agriculture more thoroughly than any other
statesman of our country. And if his sentiments had
governed in other administrations, we would not have
seen the West in its infant struggles burdened by the
hand OF Government, while the East protected and
strengthened. He says:
these lands constitutes the interest Of the Republic
The wealth and strength Of acountry its population,
and the best part Of that population the cultvaors
Of the soil Independent farmers are everywhere the
basis Of society," and true friends Of liberty"
Again. he says:
'The adventurous and hardy population Of the West,
besides contributing their equal share of taxation under
our import system have in the progress of Govern
ment for the lands they occupy paid into the Treasury
large proportion Of forty millions Of dollars, and OF
the revenue received there from, but small part has
been expended among them. When the disadvantage
of their situation in this respect add the considera-
ton that is their labor srhich oires real uaue
the lands and that the proceeds arising from their sale
are distributed chiefly among States which had not ORR
undivided emoument arising from the sale of their
lands, it cannot be expected that the States will
main longer contened with the present policy after the
payment of the public debt To avert the consequences
which may be unprecedented from this cause and put
end forever to all partial and interested legislation
this subject and to afford every American citizen OF
enterprise the opportunity OF securing Independent
freehold, it mo- therefore, best abandon the
idea OF raising future of the public lands "
Mr.. Chairman, there is but other consideration in
avor OF the reduction Of the price of the public lands
which shail now notice. IL is, sir that il will provide
for the foreign emigration that is yearly landing upon
our shores in greatly increased Numbers. Motives OF
humanity, well as considerations Of sound policy,
quire that provide cheap lands for these emgrants.
Whether we desire it or not, they viii como. In Eu-
rope, the battle for freedom have been fought,
and lost Despotsm has settled down upon the people,
All who long for liberty looking towards shores
Ireland Is coming and Germany is sending her children
Oppression has made them poor, and many destitute,
and many with small means landing. For their
good for our good and safety give them cheap lands
Sir, am not OF those who troubled with fears
Of danger institutions account Of the presence
OF foreign population amongst think that the
man who leaves the land Of his nativity the associations
OF his youth. and the attachments of his manhood be-
cause he admires our Institutions, and longs for the lib
erty thei secure and makes ours the land oil his choice
and adoption gives high guarantee Of his fidelity to
our laws and institutions But to those who think differ
emily, who believe there is danger in this foreign emf
grafton, may not address my argument.
Whence do you apprehend the dangeri Under what
circumstances is il most IMMINENT Is it where
find them in great numbers dependent upon city labor
for subsistence But hold inducements for them
go out to the new country, each to settle down
upon land that is his own to labor there for himself and
his children assocetng with the native farmers around
him, and how will they become Americanzed-im-
bued with the pervading love Of countryi They will
then feel that they and their children have stake and
interest ia the country and its institutions. La peace
they will be qaet law abiding citizens and ia the
countys cause will be their cause end her esemes their
enemies.
Mr.. Chairman. know Of obec, that, philanthro.
pists and statesman, desire, than that
every who cultivates the soil shall have his own
land to labor upon. But, sir, there is force in the OBJ
lection Ia the bill under consideration that il gives the
land to the settler without t price, that it is taking
that which belongs to all, and giving it to part. And
to avoid that objection propose the amendment that
the Government shall be paid for each piece Of land
what it has her. None can then complain Of inc.
quality injustice and the price, twenty-five cents
per acre but small mpediment the settler in get.
tiag hi. freehold II is but small impedmen too, to
the speedy settlement Of the Western wilderness.
therefore move that the bill and pending amend.
mens be reported to the House, with recommendation
that they be recommitted the Committee on Public
Lands, with instructions to report bill securing to the
settler the right to enter quarter section OF land at
the. price IL costs the Government
The CHAIRMAN. That motion is not in order.
Mr.. HENDRrcKs. Then will make It when in order,
II can get the floor