The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-08-10
d. c.
HoMEsrEAD BIIL.
SPEECH OF MR.. CHASE, IN THE SENATE.
Wednesday, july IL, 1854.


sideraton Of the House bill q to grant hong
stead of one hundred and sixty acres of the
public lands to actual settlers n--the perding
question being on the amendment of MIR. Clay
TON, to strike out the sixth section, which Is IN
the following words:
"SEc. 6. And Be ii further enacted, That
any individual now q resident of any one of
the States or Territories, and not a citizen of
the United States, bat at the tine of making
such acquisition for the benefit of this act shall
have filed declaration of intention as required
by the naturalization laws Of the United States,
and shall become citizen Of the same before
the issuance Of the patent as made and provi-
ded for in this cot, shall be placed upon an
equal footing with the nstiTe-born citizen of
the United Ssates.u
Mr.. CHASE. desire to submit remark
or two, and then to offer an amendment, with
the view Of perfeeting the sixth section, before
the motion to strike out shall be taken do
it at this time because, II the motion TO strike
out shall not prevail and the section is retain-
ed, no motion viii afterwards be in order 10
amend it until the bill is reported to the Sem
ste.
| cannot agree with the Senator from Iowa,
AIr. DoDGE that ell amendments are inexpe-
dient | am, On the contrary, in favor Of rea-
sonable and proper amendments. Such amend
the bill. have no doubt that the House will
cheerfuily agree to such amendments as COM
mend themselves by their obvions propriety, to
its appreciation. But cir, if it should be other
wise, and beneficial amendments made here
shall be rejected 10 the House. 1t would be
quite ID the power Of this body to Fecede, and
thuz save the bill.
Il may not be the pleasure Of the Senate to
amend the bill ct all. In that case shall still
vote for il, not sc perfect measure, but as one
commended by considerations Of humanity
aud policy, of sound expediency and liberal
Justice. | shall propose no amendment, there
fore, with eny unfriendly purpose towards the
bill. do not regard 1t as perfect-far from it.
| do not know that any Senator entirely ap-
proves it. But If | cen get no better bill,
shall vote for this; because it carries out, to a
certain extent that great principle Of public
policy first ANNOUNCED in this Chamber, per-
hays by the late Senator from Massachusetts
Mr.. Webster, to whom the Senator from
Michigan Mr. CAssl referred yesterday, but
which found it first practical, Jealous, and per-
seTering advocate upon this floor, in the Soma
toT from Wisconsin. OF that policy heartily
approve. When first announced | declared
my adhesion to it. | persevere in il today. |
regard the public lands as the ESTATE OF THE
PEOPLE, and Congress merely as a trustee.
The people are the 6estuis que tTUSt-the bene-
fciarie5 Of this estate and the whole duty of
Congress is performed By such disposal of
the lands for the benefit Of the people as on
upright discharge Of the trust requires. TO
devote portion Of those lands for the benefit
of the INDECENT insane In the several States ]
regarded as a reasonable exercise of the trust
power vested in Congress by the Constitution.
therefore voted for the bill making provision
for that unfortunate class regard the grant
Of limited portions Of these lands to actual set
tiers as q wise and bsnefcent exercise Of the
saIns trust power. | shall therefore vote for
this BILL
And now sir, / wish to say few words in
reply to the observation which fell from the
Senator from Mississippi, Mr. ADAMS He
says that immigrants from other lands ought
NOT to share the benefits Of this measure. They
have rendered 20 services he alleges, to the
country, and therefore have no claim upon the
bounty of the Government There would be
force IN this argument If these grants could be
REGARDED as rewards for services performed;
bat then the argument would exclude from the
benefits Of the bill al whether natives or for.
eigners, who have not rendered actual services
e. &c public. The bill proposes no grants
upon considerations Of this nature the aTgu-
ment therefore, If good at al, Is good against
the whole bill But it IS not valid az all These
grants are not rewards for services rendered
they form part of system Of disposing of the
public land. Taey are for the benefit of the
whole people represented by the Government
as well as for the individual grantees The
public lands may be regarded under one point
OF view, as a vast quantity of unemployed ma
ehinery in tho possession of great capitalist
ls. IS capable Of producing enormous wealth,
but Is Idle and unp7Odnctive for want Of hands
to work Il. IL is ,Ee business of q wise capi-
tllist 10 bring bis machinery into use. 1t is
tire part OF q wise Government to bring the
public domain into cultivation, to develop its
hidden wealth, and add lis treasures to the
general resources of the country Every set
tier upon the public lands, under the provis-
ions Of this act in the course of the FIVE years
which must elspse before he can obtain a pat
EFT, will more than pay for the land he occu-
pies 10 the shape of duties upon goods consum-
CO, or by the contributions which his labors
furnish to the wealth and strength Of the coun-
try.
Aud now, sir, if these public benefits conssi-
tnto valid reason for these grants to actual
settlers that reason applies as strongly to immi-
grams coming into the country after the pas
sage of TIE act as it does to those already here
IAsra Is no substantial reason which cOnmends
ltse.i to she Judgment Of q statesman for any
such determination. There is q sound and suf-
hcicnt ground Of distinction between citizens
deslsu To become citizens, but no reason at all
Tor any such distinction among immigrants
VINO 90 intend to become citizens. The section,
as 1t stands, draws line between immigrants
already arrived and immigrants to arrive here
after. those who arrive today are TO have
the benefit Of the act those who arrive to-
morrow, if the bill in the moan time shouId he
come law, will be excluded from its benefit
Can anybody assign sensible reason for such
discrimination between Of | may be allowed
to coin a phrase) the ante-venients and the
post venients.
Sir, the principle for which contend now.
Of non-discrimination between different classes
of immigrants intending to become citizsns,
was sanctioned in the recent Kansas and Ne
brsska act. / congratulated the country at
ths time upon the recognition of the right of
all such immigrants without distinction. to the
elective franchise. | was glad 10 witness that
breaking down Of old prejadices ageinst immi-
= ants coming into this country which led TO
= nearly unanimous vote in this Chamber in
favor OF retaining tho clause which allowed
them 70 vote in the Territories. That vote
recognised no such narrow and ilTberal dis
elimination as this bin nov makes. Il went
upon sound reason. 1t allowed ell to vote
after declaration Of intention. and taking the
oath prescribed by the act 1t excluded none
whether arrived before or after the massage of
tho act It made no distinction between those
who might, and those who might not exercise
the right of suffrage except the distinction he.
tween those who should manifest disposition
to become citizens, and readiness to qualify
themselves for the exercise of tho elective fran.
chise. under she provisions of the act. and those
y. .~kk ~ H. h. "a