The daily union., 1854-07-26

have been conferred upon residents louisiana but as
he not in his seat must leave the fact undeter-
mined for have had opportunity 10 examine II my
self But whatever may have been the case IN LOUISIANA
such grants have been often made and 10 large extent
They made TO the Ohio company for the use OF actual
settlers to the people of Gapois to the refugees from
Canada 10 settlers in Florida, and in Oregon might
swell this list much larger number by running over
the statute-books But have not time, and these ex-
ampes amply sufficient to show the uniform practice of
the government And TO add authority to precedent viii
refer the views of Mr. Webster which have already been
presented here and which were mboded in the resolution
he submitted to the Senate four since proposing
to grant the public lands free of cost to actual settlers
And will also refer to the views Of General Jackson, con-
aned in his message to Congress of December 1882, in
which he says:
'' 1t be policy that the public lands shall
cease practicable to be of revenue, and
barely sufficient to reimburse the United States the expense
of The system and the cost arising under our Indian
compacs
For myself sir, with the principle of the
bill it came from the House of Representatives am
content to make the grants without money though they
would not be without prce for the advantages have al
ready stated offer, in my opinion, ample consideration to
the government for these contemplated cessions But
shall vote for the proposition of the senator from Caor-
MA M Gws to .hs fix price pr Of wsyve esns Ipin a
that the bill viii need additional support and this
will gain votes which would otherwise be given
in opposition This change viii bring the whole matter
precisely within the view suggested by General Jackson
And think much of the obloquy thrown upon this great
plan might well have been spared If for no other reason
advocated it. respond with all my heart to the noble
sentiment of General Jackson that it is far better 10 q6d
TO ecey Amrican citizen V enterprise The opportunity ef Sc
curing Independent FREEHOLD than il is to persist in the
idea of rsispg future om Of the public lands.
1t will be that General jackson maintained the
ground which has just been defended by the senator from
Mississippi Mr. ADAMS that in pecunary point OF
view comply with duty if we insure to the treasury
the return of what the public land General jackson
have heard it described to-day but that it furnished fair
consideration for congressional action 1t has been COM
puted officially believe that the actual Of the public
land including the objects enumerated BY General Jackson
namely "the expense Of the present SYSTEM and the cost
arising under our Indian compactss sixteen and half
cents per Some have thought il proper charge
this fund the expenses of various Indian do
for the experience of the world has shown that where
civilized and savage people placed in contact diff
cutes and hostilites will be perpeualy arising And
such would have been condition independent Of
question of acquisitions But adding the cost Of
these the expenses already stated the cost of the
public land will be brought only to the of twenythree
wcntyour cents acre. and that is than covered
by the proposition from the senator from California.
The senator from Louisiana to consider this pro-
ect of granting lands TO actual settlers very unequal
and unjust and might almost say, dishonest. This OBJ
econ whatever force possesses is just applicable to
all preceding grants to actual settlers to the proposed
one and course condemns the repeated action of Con-
gress upon this subject since the foundation of the govern
ment. But why is it unjust? confess listened TO the
assertion with much surprise is smVus because all ,otH
not take adraage eft This to me is strange objection
II system Of policy is honest just and equal in ITSELF
and constitutional it is worthy to be adopted, though all
may not be willing to accept the advantages it offers.
What constitutes the justice Of such measure its per-
feet equality and that equality not at all affected be-
there well situated ia liietlfat they do mot
need the benefits it holds out This bill offers grants of
land every settler 1t looks to distinction. Has,
therefore wealthy in Of the old States right
to saw am rich do not intend to emgrate and there
fore your law is unjust because it makes provision
for Others which is Of use to me? There IS neither
reason constitutional principle in such an objcc-
ton. | am speaking not of the view presented by
the senator from Louisiana in relation to individual in
| tiuetic and III mi he
done the old States by these inducements to emigration
felt not less surprised at the latter objection than at the
former The State Of Massachusetts, injured because
country offers inducements to its poorer citizens to improve
their condition by emigration! Why, sir, such prnc-
pie would check all progress in the West 1t would shut
your land Offices stop the sale of your lands parayze
every power of the general government to improve and set
tie its vast domain 1t would strike indeed, at all opera
tions by which the condition of our country may be any
where improved by the constitutional action of the general
government and which might furnish motives to remove
from region TO another Communities, thank God,
have power restrain the migration of the members
composing them Men not trees attached to the soil
Such doctrine carries back to the worst periods and
practices of the middle ages They free 10 go stay
as they please in this country They proper
ty and it is the first time have heard it maintained
that the government must not adopt measure because
persons wishing to take advantage of il might be induced
to leave their residences HOMES and to find comfort
able provision for themselves and their families elsewhere.
There is power of coquence which render such a
| position acceptable TO our countrymen
Why sir my view is the reverse of all this. maintain
that the more inducements you hold out justly and
constitutionay to improve the condition OF the people,
whether upon the Bay of Fundy upon the Pacific
the better you discharge the functions Of wise and liberal
government am not looking to the State OF Louisiana,
the State of Michigan the State of New York.
but looking the whole Of this great and glorious
confederacy and repeat that wherever the legislation OF
the general government within the constitutional sphere OF
its acon be made to offer inducements by which the
condition of the citizens may be improved the opportunity
should not neglected because there comfort
ably situated that they will not take advantage of it.
glad they will not am glad there are so many so
well off require change 1t is not the best that all
should 60 there the slightest danger of it, There
strong motives operating upon not to leave the
country Of birth and these will always produce their
effect But would not tic to his native place be-
/ cause his neiyhbor does not choose with him
i Mr. President the senator from Louisiana has urged an
4 objection which has already been presented here and, III
deed which heard in substance many years ago. and that
is that The proposed measure would tend materially To re-
duce the value of property everywhere For years
the price Of the public land two dollars per acre
I reduced by legislative stroke to dollar and
I twenty-five cents per The same alarm was then
II sounded that hear to the effect OF the measure
upon property Experience came TO prove the error
of the assumption The effect unte and the progress
/ of nproyem has gone have doubt but II ten
porary check sales viii be the result of the adoption
this But il will be only temporary, and viii be
compensated by superior advantages As to injustice there
1 is none at ALL Every who buys public land buys
with The knowledge that Congress may augment dmin
sh the price Of the national domain at pleasure may
have been dollars yesterday it may be one dollar
twenty-five to-day, it may be twenty-five cents to
morrow and in either case If the purchaser pays b
money aud gets his patent he has Of complaint
What becomes of the rest of the public land Is no question
/ of his.
might arise out of this in conneSon with the rgh
of State taxation do not ioresee any any injury
lhc States take il for granted that during the five Year.