The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-06
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

And, after short Executive session
The Senate adjourned I'LL Monday.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
THE HOMESTEAD BILL-THE CONSTITUTIONAL UNION
PARTY-THE PRESIDENCY.
On motion of Mr.. HOUSTON, the House re-
solved itself into Committee of the Whole the
state OF the Union (Mr. JoSEs, of Tennessee, in the
chalr,) and proceeded 20 the consideration Of the
special order, being the bill to encourage agricul-
ture, commerce, manufactures, and all other
branches Of industry, by granting TO every man
who is the head OF family, and citizen Of the
United States, homestead Of one hundred and
sixty acres OF land out OF the public domain, upon
condition OF occupancy and cultivation of the same
Tor the period therein specified.
Mr.. CAMPBELL, OF Ohio, Who commenced his
remarks yesterday, resumed them 10 day, in the
course OF which he said it occurred him that the
efforts OF the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Ca.
BELL) and the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr.
BREcEENRIpGE) 10 arrange platform upon a sub
Ject which has long since been disposed of by
the House, are by no lngans appropriate TO the
present condition OF things, and give no informa-
ton to The country Win regard TO the position
"hlch thelr cahu. oates TO take on other great
matters OF p-tional consideration. Another dcS
suggest 81 itself to his mind II would be ~eiI for
uo'- gentlemen, while endeayoring 10 nix up plat
iorus for their respective candidates on the subject
o slavery, TO look where they to get their votes
when the election comes on, for he happened TO be
Il
q word TO say In that important period of the con-
test. Notwithstanding the platform which the gen
tlenan from Kentucky produced for his candidate
on the subject which has been disposed of we are
lett In utter ignorance as to their views The sub
Ject OF the disposition of the public domain. The
gentleman passed patriotic euiogy ON General
Butler and upon Senator CAss; yet he would ap
peal 10 the gentleman, and TO any other friends Of
these distinguished men, to say whether d6ring
the whole course OF the last Presidential struggle
yt.t,, 4
lands, and made known what were their principles
and feelings IL relation 10 the great question Of in
terna improvements. General CAss was appealed
10 In the State of Ohio, and had his attention di
rec'ed TO the fact OF the great loss Of life on the
western waters; and the only answer which he
made was, that "the noise and confusion was so
great that he could not be heard. He was never
able to discover General CAss's position on that
subject, nor where the candidate for the Vice Pre-.
sidency stood
When the people of the Northwest, of all parties,
driven almost TO desperation by the neglect of the
Ceteral Government to attend 70 the wants of the
great thoroughiares, held taelr convention at Chi
cago, that distinguished person was invited TO at.
tend, but ciycEmsidnces prevented him.
Now, as he remarked yesterday this question as
TO the disposition Of the public domain devolves
upon Congress; for II Is well understood that the
General Government cannot much longer regard
Tic lands a source of revenue for public expen-
dltures; and he had night u demand Of the can.
uludltF WnAt policy they VIII pursue, III power
should be given to them, upon this subject. And
be would tell the gentlemen who are fixing plat
lJrms on the slavery question, that the people Of
the Northwest Of all political parties, intend that
the candidates shall make their opinions perfectly
understood
Without undertaking TO discuss the various pro-
jects before the House TO the manner Of dispos
ing Of the public domain, he would simply say
briefly, that he was in favor, in the fret place, of
the principles embodied in the bill reported by the
gentleman from Illinois, (Mr. BIssELL.) lis one
which addresses iscf TO the beet feelings of our
ure, II provides grant of public lands 10 the
eraiStates tor the purpose vi enabling them TO found
and sustain hospitals for the support Of the INDECENT
insane. IL provides homes for those who do not
happen 70 be voters. There has been much said
about actual settlers. He was for that measure to
certain extent; but, fret OF all, he regarded
duty provision for that class which unfortunately
are bercit OF reason, and, consequence, are in
sane. lie was in favor of giving to the States
sonable quantity OF lands for institutions Of learn
ing, because, II We are 10 pct any faith in the Fare
well Address Of the Father OF his Country, we are
10 look TO institutions for the diffusion of know.
ledge as the firmcst basis on which our republican
supersuucture stands. He was in favor Of the prin
ripes 4 the bill now before the committee because
he 'eiieved that, by providing means by which
honest private citizens may sustain themselves, We
add 10 human happiness and promote our national
wealth. Each Of these propositions u stripped
OF the objections which are preferred against
lands he would give to aid in the construction OF
such works. He would give them 10 the inland
States Of this Union; aud u was his purpose 10
show that there exists the constitutional right 20 do
-, and az matter VI justice the General Govern
mcnt should appropriate lands in that way. He
took the broad portion that the General Govern
mcnt has not merely the power 20 appropriate
lands, but has the night 10 appropriate money cut
VI The Treasury for such purposes.
lie then referred 10 and answered the objections
al b nsNN Ts d "a
advertcd TO the fact hat heretofore, the Democrats
generally had voted TO give away swamp lands.
II was, according to their opinions and votes, per
iectly constitutional 10 donate wet lands, but I'M
constitutional to give away the dry. II this was to
be the standard Uy which the Constltutionalty of
the measure is 10 be measured, il would be well 10
employ Professor Espy TO inform the House whc-
TIER there are Tremendous storms raging in any
particular section. II the western part OF Ohio was
concerned, and bill pending % donate lands lying
IN that direction, be should Immediately move the
previous question upon Il.
The gentleman then earnestly contepdcd for the
right " the ten millions Of the people IN the Mis-
s,ssippi valley, urging au improvement Of the
uaviRahlc watcrs Il the Wet
Mr.. CHASTAiN remarked that he discovered a
disposition manifested on a part Of this House TO
squander the public lands IL was useless for him
90 attempt 90 arrest H. Suffice IL 10 cay, that he
should vote against The proposition nov before tho
committee; aud b. should likewise vote against al
propositions voting lands for internal Improve
ment and railroad purpose. lie rose, however,
to disC uss quite different subject Other gentle
men, who preceded him IN argument, had assumed
the prcroEative Of discussing political questions.
lie proposed not 20 make attack on any aspirant
for the Presidency, nor TO vindicatc any aspirant,
oither.ou the Vh'gOr Democratic eide Of The House
or The country; bot he had a higher duty 10 per-
form. H. tbOUld have been glad II il had
fallen 20 the lDt II ADLER hands. lie proposed
simply to Undicatc he own position and that
Of the Union party Of Georgia, which has been
greatly misunderstood by some, and grOssly
misrcprcsentcd by othcrs lie then proceeded %
consider the questions which led 20 ~ orgauiza-
ton, the principles which IL stands, it's past &C.
TIN, It's present policy, and probable destiny.
The object principally, was to put the Union party
Of Georgia rght before the country, and defend is
cJurfe from the unjust and uuioundcd charges
which have been sOirccly made against it.
The passage Of the Compromise measures and
the consequent discussion upon them produced the
Union party IN Georgia. OF the merits Of the
Compromise, and the principles on which 10 rests
he had no argument 20 offer, and therefore would
not reopen the question. IL was passed by a ma
Iprity 81 toe Democratic patty IL has gone before
the country ior approval or condemnation. With
ont disparsging the claims Of patriotic Whig5 who
aided 30 the passage Ol the measures, be iclt uu'
thJrized 10 repeat that they were based on Demo
cratic prac Dies and pass,d By Democratic vOtrs ]
proof u uls be- asked be should point 20 the rccord
20 Congress, which must stand as uuimpea Chabli
vitnssscH Of what be had said. Having this firm mo