Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-07-29

which they consent TO support measure IN |
apparent conflict with an important principle. |
But we cannot believe that any intelligent |
mind, not inconigibly bigoted to an impracti'
cable theory, will reject the bill with all its
great and incontestible advantages simply be.
cause it is defective in single particular.
This bill is the result of necessity. Senator
Hunter, than whom no man is more strict and
rigid in his construction of the powers of the
federal government over the public domain,
does not pretend that his bill realizes an ideal
perfection. But he claims, and justly claims
for the measure, that it embodies no pernicions
principle, that it achieves results of the great
est advantage to the country, and that it saves
the south from an imminent and overwhelming
calamity. There is not an intelligent person IN
Washington who did not foresee that the ulti-
mate triumph of the Homestead bill, with all
its odious provisions, was among the inevitable
events of not remote future. Rather than
suffer the measure to pass in all its hideous de-
formity, il was the plain and Imperative duty
Of the re oresentatives of the south, as far as
possible, to purge it Of its obnoxious provisions
Mr. Hunter has done more than this: he has
defeated the obnoxious measure, and in its
stead has substituted bill of essentially differ
ent character and Of great and indsputable
advantage. though possibly not perfect in all
its minute details.
1t may argue some independence of judgment
to pronounce summary and fippant condem-
nation on measure which originated with
Hunter, and which has the sanction of the
unanimous democratic vote of the Senate; but
for our part we choose rather to follow their
lead than be found in q molly minority of
wings and abolitionists. If this bill conflict
with the principles of the State rights school
and impairs the interests of the south, it is a
singular circumstance that its champions
should be Mason and Butler, and its oppo-
nents Badger and Seward.
The most intelligent person should betray
some difhdence in opposing measure which is
recommended to the country with such an ar
ray of authority an sanctions Mr.. Hunters bill.
The presumption is legitimate that either the
measure is not such as an imperfect examina-
ton represents it, or else that its passage is
urged and warranted by circumstances of which
we are not cognizant. The presumption is le-
climate that men who have been selected for
elevated and responsible positions by reason Of
their intellectual superiority and their fidelity to
the interests of the State-who bring all their
sagacity to its service, and who, from constant
study, are perfectly familiar with the political
condition of the country-we say the infer
ence is legitimate that these men have not
| rashly committed themselves to measure Of
pernicious principle and mischievous conse-
quence.
The New York Courier and Enquirer, an
ardent advocate of the original Homestead bill,
| opposes this measure vehemently, and for the
| reason that ats success would effectually de-
feat the homestead principle in our legislation.
| Perhaps We may derive an argument in favor
Of the measure as well from the opposition
of its enemies as from the support Of its
friends.
| The more we reflect upon this important
| measure, and the better we understand its ma
ture and operation, the higher is our apprecia
| ton of its advantages, and the greater our
admiration of the craftsmanship which con-
ceived it. Mr.. Hunter renders great service
| to the south in averting an evil which we had
| all come TO regard as inevitable, and to the
! union by forever closing a controversy which
was exasperating the politics Of the country
corrupting its legislation, and tainting the
public morals.-July %.
We also copy from the Charleston Mercury
another article on the same subject:
Mr.. HUNTERS LAND BILL-We copy into
| our columns, from the National Intelligeacer
an extended synopsis of the bill introduced by
| Mr.. Hunter as substitute for the Homestead
bill, and which was adopted and passed by the
Senate by vote of more than two to one
This bill, also, like the other, assures posses
sion Of limited portions of the public lands tC
heads of families settling on them, and gives 9
complete title after FIVE years occupancy, or
the payment Of sum graduated according Il
the time the lands have been in market. Thit
sum varies from one dollar to twelve-and a hal
per acre.
The second feature of the bill is, that j
makes general provision for grants of alter
nate sections of land on the lines of railroad
chartered BY the States.
The third and most remarkable provision il
that whereby the States are allowed TO TAXI
possession OF, and acquire title to, the land
within their limits on the same terms as ind
yidual settlers.
If the reader will consider what an in6nit
Of vexatious and absorbing questions will b
finally settled by this bill if it shall receive tn
approval Of the House, he will admit that it j
one Of the most important measures eve
brought before Congress. 1t reaches and rene
dies nearly all the evils that have so long bese
the question Of the disposal Of the public lands
The details Of the bill may be criticised, but a
whole il is statesmanlike, comprehensive
and, in its effects, promises to confer grea
benefits on the country.
|
look to permanent disposal Of the question:
reached by it. Besides as we understand il
it enables the States to take possession OF, anC
acquire title to, the whole public domain within
their limits, and thus provides for the with
drawal Of government administration and pa
tronage so far as these lands are concerned II
this respect it contemplates the same objec
as the land bill brought forward by Mr.. Cal
houn many years ago. All the impressive argu
ments by which our great statesman sustained
his measure then have gained strength year b,
year, and all his predictions Of evil from leay
ing the question open, as trading capital 70
demagognes and spoil for projectors, have beer
more than fulfilled.
1t is to be hoped that 80 fruitful source o
corruption and Legislative obstruction may a
length be quieted. We have every reason Il
believe that Mr.. Hunters bill meets the cordia
support of tho administration, and it goes 4
the House by so strong q vote Of the Senate
that it has at least prospect Of gaining thu
assent Of that body,