The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-11
THE. UNION WASHINGTON FRIDAY MORNING MARCH II, 1853

heads of and pat the good head the good body
to make one perfect oil the two, and throw away
the balance 10 be dealt with the law directs That 10
be sure would be murder and do not suppose that either
you or would be inclined to indulge in such innocent
amusement. considering the consequences which might
result although we might think had benefited man
kind bv taking away two decrept species of humanity
and IN then places getting perfect one. We cannot
however, indulge this propensity, because the law
Ponds penalty over US; but without any bloodshed,
think we mig do that in reference the project before
us-l mean the homestead bill
The honorable senator from Alabama Mr.. CLEMEssl
has submitted informally an amendment which is TO
IN at the end OF the homestead bill which is PROPOSE
ZION Tor a graduation law. What | want to do is not 10
cut OH this magnificent head from this bill but put the
proposition OF the senator from Alabama not al the end
Of u, but Just Immediately after the title would not
disturb that title for the world do think that in the
next century there will be found any combination Of
talent that will put in the six lines composing this ute
such an amount OF magnificent promises and such
speedy electrical result as follows Immediately alter
wards think i IS unique, and ought not 10 be disturbed
That is the magnificent head The body look upon as
exceedingly decrepit. and think if the graduation sys
TEN OF my friend from Alabama could be adopted, il
would come in admirably after this head If the bill were
legillma,ey before us, that would be the amendment
which would propose to make.
This graduation system was commented on and advo-
Gated by Mr. Calhoun and other wise Legislators and EN-
nent statesmen and do not think there can be any
sonable objection to it. | do not think any can OBJ
ject il he purchase by his industry, al merely
nominal sum, the public land OF the country II is the
public land as soon as practicable II il cannot receive
ST. 25 per after The lapse of many years, should
TALL IN price so much per cent and SO on, until gets
down TO Twelve and half cents per acre. Ii were
poor man would rather of land by the pay
ment Of twelve and hall cents, and would feel myself
more independent and more OF man than would by
taking quarter section OF land from the public for
nothing clogged with the restriction that could not SELL
but that must live upon it and cultivate it myself
think The true policy OF this government is TO dispose of
the public land soon can, at the prices which il
&c, for it, falling gradually the lapse OF time adj
monshes us that the lands are not wanted or are not rich
in their character.
had intended to go into the constitutional argument
the subject but do not wish 10 delay the Senate any
longer particularly the senator from Mississippi has
paid particular attention TO that branch OF it, and will
therefore not trespass further upon the Senate at this
time.
Mr. DODGE, OF Iowa Mr., President, that a discus
sion upon the merits and principles OF the homestead
bill should have arisen to-day, and upon the amendment
before the Senate, most expected TO me but
the views and opinions entertain of the measure which
has been bitterly assaed forbid that should sit by
in silence, and permit what has been said TO go
swered. Though unexpected, | am not unprepared in
my feeble way, defend the bill Sir the priacipe upon
which that bill, providing homes for the landess is
based, is one dear 10 my heart it has grown with my
growth and strengthened with my strength II was my
fortune have been born upon the bank OF the Mis-
sssippi, and to have lived in Territories upon the
IRENE frontier, and next to the aboriginal inhabitants OF
The country, until the State OF which am resident
became mes1ber OF the Union have thus been
abed to learn something personally OF the dangers, hard
ships, and difficulties which are incident 10 the settle
ment of the public domain of this country, and which
every individual VINO undertakes has to encounter be-
fore he reaches that spot called homestead and which
now call upon you, sir, lAlr BADGER in The cha and
the immigrant scltlernot my constituent, but your
wn-who. impeed by all the higher and nober impulses
of our kind is seeking 10 better his condition and that Of
the vile and children dependent upon him. That emf
nenlly wise and practical statesman Mr. Maconl once
said that he never saw emigrant vending his way
the hills OF North Carolina towards the valley of the
ha mt uIah :. that
he knew the landless poor man. who thus quit The place
in which his lot had been cas,-your State, if you
pease(espectabe IN everything, and in some respects
advantageousy suaed) and seeking home IN The rich
and fertile West. the road which would probably
lead TO Independence and prosperity Tor himself and his
children.
Sir let me tell you that the bill which has to-day met
the auns and jeers OF the senator from Georgia, INT
CHARLTON who has ridcned il in both poetry and prose-
is long held dear the hearts of peo-
pe-to the tenant and poor man OF every State in the
Union who is struggling 10 make living by the sweat
OF his face These, and such these II is who call for
this More than twenty five years ago the SEN
passed bill of the late eminenty disng ushed
tor IRON Missouri, [Mr Ben,on,l graduating the price
of the public lands and making donations TO actual
TIERS and for that measure the Randophs and Tazewes OF
Virginia, and the Macons of North Carolina voted But
sir by that system OF legislative tactics and
opposition, such the enemies OF this
willing TO have recourse TO- defeated The persons
for whose benefit this bill is intended no, here. They
have lobby special delegates to senators and
representatives whenever heygo without the bar OF their
respective houses, to make interest Tor them Several
times during the last twenty five thirty years, their
friends have succeeded in passing through The
other house Of Congress similar 10 this bu,
receiving the sanction OF both, they fell between them
and say with feelings OF the deepest apprehension and
regret that believe this The best bill OF the kind which
has passed either branch OF Congress- in imminent peril
from the nattention Indifference OF those who
ought to be it best friends repeat that twenty five or
thy years ago the Senate OF the United States passed
bill donate the refuse lands 10 such persons would
actually inhab and cultivate the same for period much
shorter than that fixed in the bill spoken a. After
years struggle OF the peoples representatives in the
other house. that bill, thus assailed in advance in this
body passed And now have in my eye its interchangeable
and indomiabe author, esteemed friend and member
of the House, tHon. ANDREW JOHNSON, OF Tenaessee1
10 whom, deeply sympahzing with him IN sent.
Of the men for whom this bill is intended-now a mos,
able and faithful member OF Congress. mechanic
struggling with poverty and working with the hands
which God gave him, and expanding that sweat BY which
the decree OF the Almighty that should obtain
his bread Cannot those who profess friendship for the
people be willing TO take his years labor and ex-
ertion eas, sufficiently long try the practical opera
ton OF this bill
Let me tell my friends, the senators from Georgia
ga emgrants Iowa His colleague will well remember
numerous family OF emgrants, (ot the name of Wood
dy) negbbors and friends OF HIS who moved from Dab
lonega, Georgia and among the very first settlers
upon The lands acquired from the confedeaied tribe OF Sacs
and Foxes in 1s42 in the then Territory Of Iowa The
old gentleman OF revolutionary memory, and il
my great pleasure succeed in getting him pension for
GUS de-cendans and evidence Of their deep attach
men for the place whence they came they named little
town which they laid off the public lands Dahlonega
Could those Georgans, male and female, be brought