Plymouth advertiser. [volume] (Plymouth, Ohio) 1853-1988, 1854-04-08
4Igmauth ahdsrtissr.
plymouth, Ohio, Saturday, April 8.
The Homestead Bill.


D the manner prescribed BY the provis-
ous Of the bill recently passed the House
Of Representatives, and now awaiting the
action Of the Senate, truly involves lol-
Icy of vast Importance. Ii is rs Iical
change from any course the Government
has hitherto pursued in disposing of her
land. 1t undoubtedly, with proper safe
guards thrown around it. will be of great
benefit 10 the homeless, and in the end,
conduce TO the growth and prosperity of
the nation. A home for The homeless is i
what the Government can secure. and
what better disposition can be made Of
the millions Of public land, than judic- !
ious distribution of them among class of
her cilizens who are willing to work, but
too poor 10 buy themselves farms. We
are so confident that it will not only be
a benefit to the homeless, but to the
country atlarge, that We look with great
deal Of anxiety to the action of the Sem
ME upon The bill.
Ills intended 10 encourage agriculture,
commerce, manufactures, and all other
branches of industry, by granting to ev-
bry man who is the head of family, and
a citizen of the United States, home-
stead of one hundred and sixty acres of
land, out of the public domain, upon con-
dition of occupancy and cultivation of the
same, for period of five years.
/Itis intended TO encourage agriculture
by giving men farms if they will cult
vate them, and will foster manufactures
by making an increased demand Tor their
products-and as commerce is but an
egent for distributing the products of ag>
riculture and manufactures, it must re-
ceive corresponding benefits. The three
divisions comprise the principal branches
of industry. Within their Jurisdiction,
the industry Of the nation developes it.
self end has its existence. If these are
20 be benefited and encouraged, why
need we look further, at matters of sec.
'ondary importance to them. There will,
undoubtedly, be interests that will suffer.
Groedy land oPeoulosors viii be injured.
Capitalists who have doubled and quad.
'rupled their boards at the expense of the
pover'y-s.sicken emig:ent, will find their
Occupation gone" But the first duty
Of the Government. is TO take care of the
poor--the rich will take care of them.
selves. 1t is certainly better that a thou
sand families should have permanent and
comfortable homes, than that one or two
speculators should make their thousands
out of the Government. 1t has tenden.
cy to equalize mankind, by 7eueling up
instead Of levezing do,en. It will raise
the honest and industrious man to proper
sphere OF influence, where it will be for
she grea; good.
BY multiplying individual interests,
the people Of the nation become more
Interested in government, give more al
tention to the improvements of society,
and, in a word, make better citizens
Equality is one ofthe grandest characters
istics of our institutions, and we are in
favor Of anything and everything that
will have that tendency. This system it
is apparent, will make thousands of men
who are now enslaved by the circumstan-
ces which surround them, independent,
free holders, masters of their own land
and labor. He is more Independent, and
Is out OF the reach of the grasping, slingy
hand of avsrice. He is interested in the
education Of his children that they NAV
earn their daily bread. He is interested
in upholding the government and inslilu
sioas of his country. He is PRACTICAL,
convinced that the institutions of !h,,
country are intended to distribute NOR
enjoyment among its citizens than an,
eother nation on earth. If the will O
the people is carried out, the Homestea,
Bill must pass.