Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-07-17
The Hornestead Bill.

The Homestead Bill is now being dis
cussed in the United States Senate. On
the 10th, MIR. Clayton moved to strike out
the 9th section, which is in these words !:
Sec. 6. That il any individual now re-
sident Of any one Of the States or Terrific.
ries, and not citizen Of the United States,
but at the time of making such application
tor the benefit Of this act, shall have filed
a declaration Of intention as required by
the naturalization laws Of the u. States, and
shall become a citizen Of the same before
the issuance Of the patent as made and pro.
vided for in this act, shall be placed on an
equal footing with the native born citizen
Of the United States.
And to insert in lieu thereof the follow
ing:
That any mechanic or other citizen of
the United States, OF full age, engaged in
aud accustomed TO any business, trade or
calling, other than the cultivation of land,
shall, in consideration Of his inability to
comply with the conditions oil this act, by
reason OF his want Of knowledge, skill or
experience in such cultivation Of the land,
De entitled to receive, in lieu Of 100 acres
OF land as herein provided, the sum OF
Sl6O, to be paid to him out Of any money
IN the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
On this motion an extended debate prose,
and the Senate adjourned without Coming
to a vote.
W. e.nnot say whs; will be the fate OF
Ills amendment, or even the bill ITSELF.
Washington letter writers assert that the
bill is certain to pass, and that it will re.
ceive the approving signature of the Pres
ldent and become law. Mr.. Clayton's
amendment is intended to be panacea for
all the ills to which laziness is heir. 1t goes
upon the policy of furnishing the homeless
with home, the moneyless with money,
and the worthless with the means of TEN.
porary support. It is beautiful, sub
lime conception Of this Senator, that the
worthless vagabond who may reside on the
frontier Of Missouri, can step over into
Kansas, comply with requirements of this
bill, claim his $50, more money than he
ever saw at one time, and then say to
himself, soul take thine ease and enjoy the
otium cum dignitate Of feeding upon the
bounty Of munifcent Uncle Sam. This
is happy jump Mr.. Clayton has made to-
wards the candidacy Of the Know Moth.
ings"and'Do Nothings' for the Presidency
Pass this Bill, and the lazy posse who
are in many instances, its advocates, will
not be satisfied until another law is passed
making an appropriation TO meet the ex-
penses Of clearing, stocking, etc.. SO that
they could set down aud eat the fruits Of
the hind, without wiping from their brows
one drop Of sweat. We want no such a
law. The lands Of our government were
not gotten BY gift, and it is against policy
aud principle for the Treasury Of the Uni
ted States, directly or indirectly, to supply
he wants Of any class, without an equiva-
lent. The dominant party of this State,
will sustain no such measure, let it be her.
aided with or without executive prestige.
Principles--not men-haye governed the
action Of the Virginia Democracy-eyi-
dence OF which was given in the House Of
representatives. when the Homestead bill
was up-12 Of our representatives voting
against it aud one Tor it.