The daily union., 1854-07-25
THE HoMEsrEAp BILL AND rnE INTELLIeENOER


II be expected that confirmed an enemy OF
democratic principles the National heiIigeneer would
regard with much eompacency the passage by the Senate
of the homestead and graduation bill This is emphateal-
y and eninenty democratic measure In times gone by
its great principles received the sanction of the fathers and
founders of the democracy Mr. Jefferson suggested the
homestead principle after the territory Of Louisiana
was acquired General jackson drew an outline of the
three great distinctive parts of the present bill and
mended to the favorable action of Congress The princ
Piles of the Senate bill brought forward by the demo-
antagonsc to the celebrated distribution scheme
around which the affections of the Itegee still cluster
Its passage by the Senate by decided majority
of the most brilliant democratic runphs that our party
has enjoyed No wonder then that the editors of the IN
seigeneo should manifest degree of irritation upon
such an occurrence. They could hardly be expected
to in such anything but the mos deporabls
folly The passage of this great must be extreme
y mortfying to stad and courteous neighbors when
il induces them to indulge in such remark in regard to
which passed by overwhelming vote in
the Senate The explanation, however obvious when it
remembered that the adoption Of the policy Of the bill of
the Senate puts final quetus upon the avorite scheme of
distribution for which the Itgencer has abored SO ably
and faithfully and yet long and so frutlessy II
democratic measure, brought forward by democrats,
passed by democrats approved doubt not by dem
ocrac administration and destined to become the law Of
the land sincerely trust by democratic votes This
enough to for it the uncompromising hostility of
the LeUigencer, but hardly think it is enough to
justify the editors of that journal in showing strong
procvity towards know wnotngism They would have the
public lands held homes for the descendants Of
citizens rather than for such likely to be tempted from
the Old World to and accept them We knew that
this feature in the bill would be assaied by that
oDee sect of nolerant politicians who seeking to
obtain power through secret organizations but we had not
supposed that would incur such marked and bitter hos
tlity from the Iligencer Considering the reputation
which its editors enjoy for lberat fairness and frank
ness is wonderful with what facility they yield to
coalitions and combinations which promise to be success
full against the democratic party Their late course on
sectional questions has shown how quietly they submit to
association with abotonists, and they almost
in haste extend the hand of fellowship to the know-noh-
ngs The democrats have to calculate main
tanning their ascendency if they be defeated by COM
binaton of whggery, aboonsm, and American
sm They need not therefore attach special Importance the
opposition which the lgcr manifess to the great land
bill which has just passed the Senate That bill commends
itself to the warmest support of democrats not only be-
it carries out the suggestions of such patriots and
statesmen Jefferson and Jackson and Calhoun but be-
its principles in strict conformity with the de-
centrazng policy of democracy Whilst invites the
pressed citizen of the old States whos too often virtually the
slave of capitalists and monoposts to become ndepend
free-hoder and thereby freer citizen and happier
man, wthdraws Of the most fruitful subjects of sec
tona irritation and jealousy from the federal government
and transfers it to the State governmentsin that way
checking and diminishing the tendency Capitalization in
the federal government Against measure recommended
upon considerations purely democratic the Iegencer
will in vain before Congress like that ses
sion.