The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-05-29

measures. Yet in what part Of the constitution
would be found any restriction upon the power OF
Congress TO make distribution OF the public lands
so lust and reasonable! The constitution simply
required that they should be disposed of for the
common benefit Of all the States. The people Of
Tennessee and of other States, were now snbjectng
themselves to great charges and responsibilities In
the construction Of railroads. What forbds that they
should be relieved in part from the burthens of taxa
ton, and be put upon an equal footing with the new
States, in receiving their equal proportion of the
public domain? Was Gen. Pierce opposed to this
policy, just and equitable in itself He has left
In the dark upon this subject. He was silent as the
grave. A railroad to the Pacific, Mr.. b. said, was
justly regarded as one OF the most magnificent pro
jects Of the age, and one not less important,
measure of defence and security to our possessions
on the Pacific coast 1t was demonstrate that the
cost of construction would fall far short of the
expenses of any war in which we might be en-
gagged for the protection Of that coast without the
advantages OF such mode Of transit between the
valley of the Mississippi and that distant frontier.
In war with any great maritime power, in fact,
all other means OF access might be impracticable,
or only practicable at an insupportable cost.
But such work was demanded by other considera.
tions than such as were merely military and defen
sive. IL was important and indispensable to the
full deveopement of the resources Of the country.
1t was work likewise of political necessity, if
we want to consolidate and perpetuate the union
between the Atlantic and the growing COM
muDites the Pacific. 1t work of meal.
cuabe interest to the inhabitants of the entire valley
men of the country-men with or without families
possessed of small MEANS but Of laudable ambition
of improving their condition, could not now reach
California but by tedious overland journey, ex
posing them to great privatons, or by voyage Of
thousands OF miles, at cost exceeding the means Of
many, and always at the hazard Of contracting the
diseases OF tropical climes. Construct this great
road and this hardy and enterprising class of our
population could reach this land Of golden pro-
mise in eight ten days, and after trying their for
tunes there, filling their pockets, If they are indus
trous, with their fair proportion Of the public plum
der, now thrown open to all the world II they choose
they could return again to their native homes.
But with all the interest with which this great
work is invested and even after it had become sub
ject of universal attention, Gen. Pierce thought 1t
of too little importance to find place in his inaugu
raj. Some suppose that this great road could be
constructed by the aid of donation Of the public
lands alone, but Mr.. B. thought it could never be
accomplished without liberal grants Of money
from the public treasury; and it was upon this
point that he regarded the silence Of Gen. Pierce
upon this subject in his inaugural as an nauspcious
circumstance.
Mr. B. said there was yet another subject-one
which had excited much attention of late-but
which the President had wholly overlooked in his
inaugural. Mr.. Bell alluded to the policy of giving
quarter section of the public lands to the head of
every family who hadthe misfortune to have no land
OF his own, upon the condition that he would con-
tnue TO occupy it. 1t was the more surprising that
General Pierce had failed to give his views upon this
subject, nasmuch as his own friends in the North
west were the most jealous advocates OF the policy.
Mr. B. said that public sentiment, ina large portion
OF the Union seemed to favor it, and he thought the
experiment worth making, though he feared that
many Of our worthy citizens would be deuded by
the promise Of increased comfort and independence
which this policy held out to their hopes He could
imagine no situation more helpless or desolate for
poor man, without any other means to aid him, than
to settle with his family upon piece of inferior
land, such the keen glance of the Spectator has
already rejected and the thrifty emgrant passed by
in scorn.
The shoals Of foreigners monthly thrown upon our
shores might derive some benefit from this home
stead policy, which the citizen could not. They
might occupy exclusively whole district, and thus
form society among themselves, which would be
selfsustaining. Let them come, and enjoy whatever
advantages it can give them. But whatever might
be the results of this homestead project it was sub
ject not unworthy Of the notice Of the President.
Mr.. B. said he had expressed favorable opinion
ofGen. Pierce soon after his nomination. He had
conceded to him fair amount Of talents and sound
views upon all the sectional questions; but he had
expected from him more rankness Of character than
his inaugural indicated. Mr.. B. thought he had
shrunk from disclosure of his views upon many
interesting and exciting questions of the tines and
this he considered disparagement to his official