Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1853-03-08
EDITOR s COLUMN.
The Honest Bill.

government being nothing more nor less
than the power Of the mass delegated for
the time being, to few, in order to
more speedy expression Of their will; it
becomes our duty in the discussion Of
any subject, 10 inquire what is the will Of
the people, and especially so, concern.
ing the disposition ofthe public domain.
With them since they have properly in.
vestigated the subject, it mover has been
a question of right, but simply one of
Before them the issue has
been made, and by them decided in ia.
vor Of guaranteeing the rights of the soil
to actual settlers, in contra. distinction
from the proposition to grant it to com.
panies for the building ofrsilroads, &c.
The proposition now before Congress, to
grant large amount of,hc best portion
Of the public lands, for the construction
of the Pacific Railroad, we consider un.
necessary and inexpedient. The build.
ing Of a railroad through immense tracts
of wilderness, s,unoccupied but by savages,
with all the uncertainty attending the
keepingit in repair, is an experiment, at
least. The land along the line Of the
railroad, if granted to companies for the
construction of the road, would come
into market at much higher price than
that now fixed for government lands,
and would doubtless be longer in settl.
ing, and render the road still insecure,
when otherwise it might become entirely
free from danger. We are not oppose:
10 the construction Of the road by any
means, on the contrary, we consider its
claims paramount to any other local
consideration, and would be glad to see
those who act for its construction, build
upon a sure foundation. Grant the
ri. hi Of way at once, guarantee to the
people the free enjoymen, OF their sover'
eign rights in the unoccupeI soil, and
the millions that would consider it to
their advantage to exchange their pre-.
sent inconveniences for the occupancy
of homestead in the far west, within
less time than will he necessary to com.
plete a survey Of the route, and put the
roal under contract, will locate the Ell.
tire domain through which it is to pass;
presenting the most perfect guarantee
for lis speedy completion. The vast pro.
ducts of the western valley of the Mis-.
sissippi and its tributaries, seeking an
outlet, while the immense population
that would Immediately congregate there
were demanding supplies from the east,
would be sufficient induccment to capi.
tai (Which is as certain to find the most
profitable source Of investment, as is wa.
ter to seek its common level, to invest
itself there, until those drcary wilds
would soon become the most fruitful gar.
dens on the continent; fenced around
and interviewer with complete ne
work of railroads. There are other con
siderations too, than these. The occu
pancy of the government lands by the
people, would so materially benefit thc
laboring class that remained; that this
is not the least consideration in favor o
the passage Of the homestead ll,-(w'
would say in more general form thar
that proposed.) By drawing off from th'
present markets for labor great por
ton Of the supplies, it would enhance
the value Of the remainder, and plac
the employer and employed on NOR
equal footing, by witch the contracting
parties could each have a share in thu
stipulations. The consequence woul
be that those who labor for a livin
would be benefited in all parts of tn
country; it would elevate the poore
classes, so that none need be very pool
and probably not so many would be
come immensely rich. And here doub
less lies the very ground Of objection o
the part ofmost Of those who oppose i
and this we sec fully cxemplifed in tn
conduct Of those who are taking side
for, or against the bill in Congress. l
the House Of Representatives, where tn
members are more directly from anon
the masses, and less Influenced by tn
accursed ambition for the spoils, the
arc more ready and willing to entcrtai
proposition for the public good; Will
in the Senate, among those that are LEI
directly responsible to the people, fro'
the nature Of their election, and many
them more Influenced by the prevailir
hobby,s and temptation thrown arouu
them, ws find them less willing to al
for the general good. and more incline
to the granting monopolies and speci'
privileges to the few, at the expense
the many. We would here just enqui
il the Democratic party in Congress a