Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-11

sion, to promote the growth and stability OF the
Union.
From the Richmond Enquirer.
Authority for the Land Calhoun and
Hunter.
The provision in Senator Hunters Land Bill,
most obnoxious to criticism is that which makes
a discrimination in favor of the actual settler.
The argument is briefly this BY giving a
right of pre-emption to the actual settler at
very reduced prices, the bill violates the princi-
pie to which the Homestead measure is obnox-
ious; and that inasmuch as no conjuncture of
circumstances and no pressure of necessity will
excuse the least compromise of opinion and
feeling on the part of the statesman-therefore,
Mr. Hunter is TO be condemned for conceding
something to the demands of the pioneer, who
occupies and cultivates the unreclaimed wild
erness of the west
In 1887, the bill to suspend the sale of the
public lands being under consideration in the
Senate, Mr.. Calhoun submitted as substitute
proposition to cede the public lands at gradu-
ated prices to the new States on the payment
Of one-third Of the gross amount Of tile sales.
On introducing this bill, Mr.. Calhoun explained
its character and object, and gave succinct
exposition OF his construction of the powers and
public lands. His object was threefold: first,
to diminish the patronage Of the general gov
ernment; secondly, to release the new States
from the thraldom of federal domination within
their limits and, thirdly, to prevent an anita
COUSIN and collision between the Atlantic and
the western States. These several ends would
be accomplished, he contended, by his bill,
which effected a final and complete disposition
of the public lands lying in the States. But
the plan was manifestly defective, inasmuch as
| it did not touch the public lands in the terri.
| tories.
| Mr.. Calhoun did not pretend that his plan
was absolutely perfect and exempt from all
| possible objection. On the contrary, he pre-
| ferred the existing system, but foreseeing its
eventual overthrow, and anxious TO escape
great calamity which his prophetic eye dis
| cerned in the not distant future, he submitted
his substitute, and defended it from the assaults
of Webster and Clay with that power Of argu-
| ment for which be was conspicuous Like our
own distinguished senator, Mr.. Calhoun was
| tainted with desertion or compromise Of prin-
Pile; and what was his reply? ain answer,
| 10 through life-accommodate ourselves to cir
cumstances mitigate evils we cannot over
come, and retard and lessen those we cannot
prevent. Such are the laws to which beings
Of our limited powers and control over events
must necessarily yield" 81 regard it, said
he further, I" as one of the wisest maxims in
human affairs, that when we see an inevita-
bic evil like this, not to be resisted, ap-
proaching-to make concessions in time, ichiIe
zoe can do IL nth dignity and not to wait until
necessity compels us TO act, and when concession
instead of gratitude, win excite contempt. The
maxim is not new. | have derived it from the
greatest of modern statesmen, Edmund Burke
He urged its adoption on the British govern
ment in the early stages Of our revolution, and
if the obstinate and infatuated statesman, Lord
North, then at the head Of affairs, had listened
TO his warning voice, it may be doubted whether
our revolution would have taken place. The
inevitable evil 10 which alluson is made in
this paragraph, is more distinctly indicated in
the following; "Let it be borne in mind. that
all sides agree that the new States will soon be
able to command their own terms when others
less favorable to the common interest than
those proposed by Mr.. Calhoun,) twill be i'm.
posed. If we of the old States make 1t a point
TO hold out to the last, they will, by necessary
reaction, make il point 10 extort all they can
when they get the power. But, II re yield in
time, durable arrangement may be made,
mutually beneficial and satisfactory 10 both
parties" Again, in the same speech, Mr.. Cal
houn said "This measure, reluctantly forced
upon me by the necessity Of tie case, has been
introduced with desire to terminate great DO.
litical evils" and ~ think, therefore, that in
stead Of attempting to resist any longer what
must eventually happen, IL rould be better for all
concerned that Congress should yield al once 10
NE force Of circumstances, and ccde the public
domain"
In this connection, we may adduce a s;c.el
illustration Of that far-reaching sagacity for
which Mr.. Calhoun was conspicuous above any
statesman, certainly Of his own age. As far
back as 1887, he foresaw the Ultimate surren.
der OF the public lands to the actual settlers.
unless they were disposed of in advance. He
said: That influence would be felt here and
movements would be made to satisfy the de.
mands OF so numerous and powerful class,
till, with their growing influence, the PROPOSE
ton will be boldly made to give the land with
out purchase; TO which, from the necessity of
the case, the government will be compelled TO
yield"
The graduation feature Of Mr.. Calhoun's bin
was assailed, and in defending il be said "As
10 what was to be received for the lands he
cared nothing. He would have consented at
once to yield Tie Uhole, and withdraw altogether
the landlordship Of the government over them,
bad he not believed that il would be most for
the benefit of the State that it should continue
somewhat longer" Again: II am of opinion
that the sum demanded for the cession Of these
lands should be moderate"
1t is true that Mr.. Calhoun's plan did not
propose the discrimination in favor Of the &C.
tuaf settler which Mr. Hunters bill provides
but there is no difficulty in ascertaining his
opinion in respect TO this principle. In the
course Of the discussion he touched the sub.
ject, and expressed himself in such language
as follows But something more is indispen-
sable to prevent the loss Of the lands and that
is, TO hold out adequate inducements TO the
settlers to become freeholders by purchasing
the land. This can be effected with the least
loss TO the government, and the greatest ad.
vantage to the settlers by judious sy:;sssm Of !
graduation and pre-emption.p "The object Of |
these provisions is to hold out inducements 10 |
H.. settlers TO purchase, by bringing the lands
within a reasonable period, to price which
would no. only justify, pu: bold or: strong in
1ucements 20 them 10 purchase" And ngaiiG
This feeling must be met, and il is proposed