The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-12


with strong endorsement from the peoples repre-
senatives II passed The House, after having been be-
fore that body for nearly seven years. dqnng which Time
1t considered and discussed IN nearly all lis aspects
and bearings IL is emphacally measure OF progress,
and one which think, if enacted into law, is destined
to produce benefits TO whole country In examining
the objections which have been urged against this meas
ure, astonished 10 perceive that they are but epe
ton OF those which made against every pre-emption
and graduation bill that has been brought before
Congress since the commencement OF our land system
and yet at this day, great has been the triumph OF
correct principles, that few, II any, can be found who
will raise their voices against peemption graduation
Try this in lis practical workings for bat few
years. and like results, venture to predict will be pro-
duced This homestead bill is but just tribute agr
cuurethat first noblest and God-favord d calling of
Ii is the only measure at all likely to come
before Congress for the benefit Of those who till the
earth for support and this consideration of itself,
is sufficient TO commend II TO my support 1t will
not only be evidence of the favor with which
Congress views the cultivation OF the soil, but it will
tend greatly TO increase the number OF those engaged in
that pursuit, thus augmenng the productions OF our
country, and the comfort, independence and happiness
OF our people Some think that il will destroy The
cept of all revenues from the public domain. In this
opinion do not concur Indeed. may say. fear they
are misaken for have long been of the opinion that
the best interests OF the republic demand abolition of
the auction or private sales Of the public domain, and
that il should be conveyed only 10 those who design 10
settle upon and improve The gigantic aud rnnous spec
uation in the public lands in 1850 TO which have
before alluded be forgotten in The history OF this
country. 1t was in the year last named that the late
distinguished Secretary oi the Treasury R. j. Walker
then senator from Mississippl--brough forward bill
in this body TO put end to all speculation in the pub
lie domain and 10 restrict its sale actual settlers and
cuvators Ii was the measure OF statesman. and, il
il had been adopted, would, humby conceive, have
wrought great benefits TO our whole country
The fact, often mentioned that poor man can now
buy hundred and sixty OF land for $780, is. ac
cordng TO The conceptions OF my mind no objection TO
this bill. There many thousands OF families in this
couHtry, good and deserving people. who the
day. and never will see it, when they will have that sum,
the half or the fourth of it, ready to pay down for
eartio an aohI fortu 4
further give il my earnest belief that hundred
and sixty acres in state OF nature, the verge
of civilization. is worth $500 to him who buys for no
other purpose Than settlement and improvement think
the policy OF holding on 10 the public domain, with
view TO extortng the last dollar from the cuvaor,
wise and mPol,uc. can quote eminent eminent authority to
show that is So Hear the great Edmund Burke, who
said in the British Parliament:
landed Hesitate es.ss certainly the very worst worst which The
persed posessions-possessons that often of indeer
inmate value, and which require continued personal
,endance-sre Of nature more proper for private manage.
ment than for public administration They filter for
,he care ei frugal i,nd steward than OF an office IN the
present wiz sell at low market, this IS answered by
showing that moaey is at high price The balances
the other Lands cell at the rate and moth ng
cell for But be the price what may, great object
saways answered whenever any properly transferred
from hands which fit for that property those
The buyer and the seller must mutually profit by
bargain and, what rarely happens in matters of
s q w TIs n hand win " H. me Poa
from the sale OF lands will not be considerable
hs many nave conceive IL would be un-
wise TO sore" up to The utmost or even 10 suffer bidders
to enhances according their eagerness the purchase OF
objects wherein the expense OF that purchase weaken
the capital TO be employed in their cultivation The prn.
cpa revenue which propose draw from these uncui.
laon OF the kingdom-eyens infinitely advanag
TO the Of The Crown than the Of the best
landed estate which it can bold" 1t is thus
would dispose Of the improbable landed of Ihe
Crown throw them into the mass Of private property, by
which they viii come through the OF circulation
ana through ,he political secretion, o. he sa'e into we'll
Is. .g,0, n,a,. u,
But have higher authority than even ha, OF Eng.
lands grea, statesman. We commanded in that book
which should be the rule OF life for all not to CLEAN e
ther the sheaf" the grape the olive" or the cor
OF the land" The soil OF a country is the gift OF
the Creator to his creatures and in government OF the
people that gift should not become the object OF specua
lion and monopoly am strongly OF the belief that these
donations will work great good both TO the government
and the people. All other governments have made them.
The domain OF the United States is the only one, be-
heye, Tor which pay demanded in gold and sill
yer before II could be settled and cultivated Different
was The conduct OF other governments and even that OF
oil The States owning land-kenucky, Tennessee, and
one third o Ohlo and considerable portion OF Georgia
VI my information be correciwere settled BY free grants
OF land Upper and Lower Louisiana and the two Flor.
idas as have before remarked settled by gratu.
ious donations from the kings OF Spain. Since those
countries have become ours, the early settlers TO whom
these grants made have been hafassed and annoy
ed by having their titles contested by the United States
officers in the courts, and IN every other conceivable man
Very dhsren, has been the policy OF the contemnous
and other governments this continent Are the Brit
isn lands IN Canada gwen al this day 10 all who will
and take them In 1925, the British Parliament with
view to the strengthening OF remote province appopr-
aed 100000 sterling (nearly Sl35000) TO pay the
penses OF emgraDts moving 10 Canada Look al what
Mexico and Texas have done They have given land in
immense quantities 10 who would 20 and take
within their limits. IL is a welknown historical TACT
that large number OF citizens abandoned his the
land OF their nativity and the freest government on
eartb many years slnce about the time that Ausn went
TO Texas and accepted The landed bounty OF foreign and
al that time despoiie, governments-ther own offering
none.
In the West Indies, and all over South America the
same liberal system OF dsposng OF the public domain has
prevailed read from a decree OF the republic Of Co
lombia, dated June, 1s23i
The Senate and House II Representatives OF the re.
public OF Colombia, united in Congress- considering
Ihata population, and proporonats the ter
tory OF State Is the basis Of It's prosperity and great
ness I'd That the fertility of the soil the ssubriy
lnuutons OF the republic, permit and require numerous
omigauon OF useful and lsboring strangers who by
proving their fortunes may augment the Of
ihe nation-hsve decrccdi
fatuons donations Of land, in parcels OF two hundred
anegs sbont four hundred scses) TO each family That
may be chosen in the middle the infamous .
uc In the regions favorable 20 the production Of sugar
me Nafeues OF ipits, both OF tropical and hgn attudes
ihat i've yssrs' cultivation shall ene foreigner
,altauon That si0oo,0D be appropriated In aid of ag.
hcuuure, TO be dsbutsd loans industrious armers
such was The conduct OF the free republics of South
america All OF them did the same but II is unneces
say to cite their numerous laws to that effect Through.
os. me New World, from Hodsons Bay TO Cape Horn,
win The single exception of these United States land
me glit OF God TO is also the gift OF the govern
nent TO those who will improve IL This yise policy
mas not been circumscnbed to the New World-n has
even prevailed in ASIA.
The King of Persia pu ublished IN tba onJ,, z...