The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-09


should never be taken from him by the government or
by any other agency, by his own want of man
agemenl You give him home and guaranty him in the
possession OF against yourself and the world and even
against his improvidence | had no doubt in
draughlng the BILL that the effect OF ii would ultimately
be 10 blng larger amount OF money into the treasury
from The sales OF the public lands than you now derive
Having been raised and lived all my life IN land State
and the effects OF the present system upon settlers
am prepared 10 say, rom actual observation that what
the settler wants most OF all things quiet epose, and
security in his home When you give him this you give
foil scope and verge 10 his energies mental and ply
Without this, he is crippled in nnd and in body wholly
incapable OF eeeng any good or valuable purpose II
you will give hm this, the time cannot be distant when
he will be prepared 10 pay your price which you demand
Tor the land and Them Tor The sake OF owning il in fee,
he will step In and pay.
do not intend this morning. 10 this ireg uar way, 10
discuss the principles OF that proposition fully but wish
TO impress upon lhe mind OF senator's, hoping also that
the country will take note OF II. that have from the be-
ginning resisted this principle oil giving The land absolutely
10 the settler because, IN my opinion il will defeat the
great object which You have in view ! know enough
OF these people to be able TO say from actual observation
that at the end OF i've years, very thereafter
when the time COMES Tor the settler his title he
will be as landless as he is now II you home
stead bill and law which will the settler in the
possession Of his hone and give him peace, quiet and
security there give him the righto occupancy and Sc
cure him in that right Extend over him The strong pro-
tecing arm OF your law, and allow him 10 remain in
peace and quiet until in his SOBER discreet judgment
he prepared TO the land in fee. Do thrust the
ownership upon him at time when perhaps he
prepared TO receive IL and when il be OF benefit to
him.
Another advantage which expect to derive from the
measure which introduced is this To allow the set
tier TO change his location often he peases Ii he
makes bad selection, those who 60 into new coun-
tries often do, and finds after year two that be
better himself by moving he can do So His occupying
the land does damage il at all and if he is not salis
fled with the spot he has selected he go to another
until he hnds himself we'll located and in a condition
where he can expend his labor prohtably But under
this bill, if he makes bad selection, you make him
abide by H. II he happens TO settle upon land that is
subject TO overflow, or upon soil which will moi produce
enough pay him, upon scky tract OF land, or il
from any cause he cannot remain upon the land with
safety 10 himself or family, you compel him 10 abandon
the whoIe else repain there and incur The risks and
take up that proposition introduced by myself and con-
slider il and give notice that do not 10 aban
don it. but shall urge il when this bill comes up for con-
sideraton And while do not say shall vote against
this bill if the proposition Of which have spoken not
adopted, yet greatly prefer the already reported by
the committee and shall insist upon it's adoption II the
Senate vote il down. wheiherrf shall vote Tor this or
not shall remain for me 10 decide.
Mr.. BAYARD. When yielded the floor for the SEN
ator from Wisconsin, on an appeal TO my courtesy, TO
take up and refer this bill, little thought that
that courtesy would be abused, the principle of this
bill my estimation, abuses the constitution of the Uni
ted States. do not mean, however, TO be tempted into
the discussion of the merits of this bill at the present time,
in the irregular in which it has been this
ing discussed contrary any rule OF order thar ought to
prevail in deibeative body The bill was taken
up for the purpose OF reference and here have been
discussing lis mes and not only that, but the senator
from Arkansas undertakes 10 threaten the members Of
this Senate who may oppose this bill by aPpeals-
Mr.. JOHNSON II the gentleman will allow me, l
mean, what said in political sense
Mr.. BAYARD. II is no, fair use of words. will
give the geniemans words.
Mr.. JOHNSON. wish to say that used one single
expression the remarks | made, which, after mo-
ment OF reflection, regretted, and intended 1t should
appear in The reports as meant TO have it stricken
out But if the senator from Delaware wants TO insist
upon the literal sense, he il welcome to it now.
Mr.. BAYARD: The senator relracls the expression,
Mr.. JOHNSON. do SO to anybody else but YOURSELF
Mr.. BAYARD. | do no, apply the expression person.
ally, but the language this: As understood him, he
hoped that the new States would combine IN refer
ence to this bill, and the appeal was to the sectional
feeling Of the country. Now, sir. ! am opposed 10
sectional appeals, whether they relate the subject of
slavery or The subject OF the public lands The honor
able senator remarked that he hoped the people of the
States would put mark upon the who opposed
the principles which he advocated Be /, SO For my
self have fortunately aspiration beyond the position
which occupy; and whether had or had not, no fear of
any sentiment any opinion existing 10 any past OF this
county either among communities OF men, or IN any in
dyidua man, will ever make me yield what believe 10
be constitutional principle. shall endeavo TO consider
this bill fairly and calmly, and hope shall be willing TO
do full justice 10 the land States, call them but am
very sure il within my view OF the constitution they
seek obtain that which IS the common property OF the
naon and II they assume the ground that we are TO give
up property, and 10 look 10 II source oil
while the expense remains 10 US shall oppose
such attempt violation Of the constitution. No
public opinion IN The West and no private censure here
or elsewhere will deter only from voting
against this bull but from expressing my opinions against
The plain principles OF justice which violates do not
say that does violate these principles Tor have not
examined the bill but speak oil the annuncation Of the
senator from Arkansas calculated noi meant Tor the
senator has dscaimed ~ 10 deter the fair examination
OF the principles OF the bill before it has actually been
reported upon by the committee. and before II comes be-
fore the Senate Tor proper discussion.
What view may take OF 1t when il comes up cannot
say can Only state this much There is section
which have seen, which, with nay present impression,
believe II be not violation OF the letter OF the federal
constitution, ~ beyond all question: violation OF the In
tent and spirit oil a. will state now, there harm
In entering lUo the discussion that Tar, and II Will be
subject Tor reflection and for hereafter and for
relraclion my part il 6bd il unlounded. The objec-
ton to which aude is this: that that any other bill
which attempts TO establish the principle OF homesteads
on the ground oil the aenablliy inaenaby OF lands
within State, whether il is done indirectly by oil
retaining the title in the government or not, IS viola
lion OF the federal constitution, inamuch as pervens
the federal power OF the disposition OF the lands Tor the
purpose OF affecting what is matter OF municipal Tegu
ation or swthe right oil The creditor reach the land
OF bis debtor for any debts that he may owe him
Mr.. SEWARD ! rise TO express the hope that the
debate will stop about here al this lime A question
which is premaIurey discussed Is generally very badly
discussed with reference the advancement OF the OBJ
ecis it is intended to effect. wish also say that, not
nenis OF this bill hope Il may not be understood that
this is bill which Is favored alone By the Representa-
ives oil the new States. | am sure that II viii find
here now, II has found former occasions, support
ers and aaVocales from HE ue@ as well as the old
States II is very pleasant for TO vote Tor this bill
now butt do think that, from wha, know OF the Com
mitiee Public Lands, Ii would be unkind and dscour
eous 10 them for who friends OF this bill 10 with
hold 1t from their consideration As friend OF the bill,
am especially DESTROYS that il shall go 10 the care Of