Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1854-08-19
Hunters Land Bill.

.,,snlion of our readers to the Land Grad.
s.,;on s Bill which passed the Senate few
Avs Avs since. We regard this as decidedly
u's ,hs most important measure which has
engaged s the attention of Congress during
the The present session.
Should it also pass the House as we sin
eersIy trust it will eifectually check the
rsckIess spirit Of squandering tbe public
domain, which unfortunately for the inter.
ssts @ Of our country has been but 10 preva-
lsnt lent for the last few years; spirit which
h m unchecked, would soon effect radical
change in the practical working of our
s government, ifindeed il did not transfer
tbe Il polilical power from the hands Of our
own citizens 10 those of,he mighty hordes
of Foreign immigrants annually pouring in
upon US.
The Homestead bill, as originally intro
duced, had direct tendency to increase
The influence aud precipitate the ultimate
control of the Foreign population 10 our
country by process so rapid as TO pre-
clude The probation necessary to enable
them TO understand the true character Of
our government, and the proper mode OF
rs operations. For however sincere the
friends of that bill may be in the belief
that it would operate to the benefit ofthe
noorer classes ofour own citizens, yet we
eanno, resist the conviction tha, for every
one American citizen who would avail
himself of the benefits Of the bill, there
would be at least ten Foreigners to do so.
For ifwithout such inducement they now
come at the rate of nearly one million a
wear. what would be the. number if a fee
farm of one hundred and sixty acres ofland
were offered them for the mere accept
ance?t ...- a# sr.a ...t.
Letus not be misunderstood. We are
not opposed TO Foreigners. Many, in
deed most Of them, after remaining here
long enough 10 become identified with
us in interests, feelings and habits COM
pare favorably with other, citizens and for
such we entertain all proper respect; but
what we object to is The giving ofPolitical
power 10 them before they know how TO
!, use it, and while they are still swayed BY
tho influences OF political system who'll
" unlike our own. The bill under con-
sideration, whilst it presents to the indus
trioas and hardy pioneer sufficient in.
dacement 10 settle and cultivate thepub'
.lit lands in the low price at which they
NAV be purchased for that purpose eat the
same time imposes Wholesome restraint a
upon the system of appropriation BY For
eiigners which would necessarily have
sprung up under the unqualified free farm
policy of the bill from the House OF aep'
resentatives. ia,e
But there are other provisions Of thi'
bill which in our judgment are Of still
higher importance; we shall barely aslua'
to Them. Ry transferring as it proposes u
do, the whole subject of appropriation
of public lands for the purpose of lnsrrna
improvement to the States; il takes Iron
the Halls oil Congress the only subject Q
real danger to the integrity of the Demo
cratic party. Upon all other questions Q
national policy that party has ever been
unit or very nearly SO; but on this question
so great has been the power Of local AM
sectional interests as more than once
have endangered its continued harmony
Again this bill will put at rest the con
test between the old and new States in re
gard to the public lands which for !yeai
have Occupied SO large portion Of the tim
Of Congress tothe neglect of other imPol
tant matters, and at the same time it WI
create bond Of fraternal feelings betwae
the Southern and Western States whic
may laugh,o scorn the mad rawlings
Northern ianaticism and bid defiance TO q
their wicked attempts 10 destroy the peae
and arres. the growing prosperity Of OF
beloved country.-Portsmouth Globe.