The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-06-24
GEN. oAss ON THE HOMESTEAD BILL.

The following extract from the late great speech Of Gen.
Cass in defence of President Perce message will be
particularly interesting to the friends of the homestead.
Without assuming speak for the President inti
any knowledge of his views Gen Cass arrives at the
conclusion that the homestead bill is in conflict with
the principles Of the message Other statesmen how
ever of large experience and great emnence have arrived
different conclusion only the merits Of the
homestead BILL but its consttuonality The extract
to which call attention. in anticipation of the publ
cation in paper Of the entire Speech follows:
'The duty of proftably aging domain and of
derng valuable TINS increasing the inducements to
emgants to purchase ustes any disposition honestly eff
ectng this purpose 1t does in the words of the President
by augmenng the value Of the residue and in this mode
encourages the early occupation of it the industrious and
intelligent pioneer. 1t began during the administration OF
General Washington when act of Congress passed
granting three tracts Of land in the Northwestern Territory
to Isaac Zane where GAINESVILLE is another where
Lancaster is and third opposite Chilcohe in consdera
ton of his marking and opening road Ga bride path rather)
from Wheeling to the Ohio river, opposite Limestone
Maysvle in Kentucky. Ii is upon the ground
of increasing the value of the property that grants for
the purposes of education, OF settlement of defence and
for many other objects of similar nature have been made
in tie public domain and may be constitutionaly de-
Tended and In like the great bill of The session, OF
the age rather-the homestead bimakng provision for
granting tract of land TO every who will occupy
and improve Ii for five becomes constitutional
it is wise and just. proposition earnestly advoca-
ted by Andrew Jackson and by Daniel Webster have
claims favor, and is hardly fit subject for the
and has provoked here and elsewhere
Its friends pass them by unframed by vuperaton
fear to DO right because charged by those who find the
rule conduct for others their breasts with being
demagogues while seeking do justice TO ALL whether rich
or poor believe if this homestead bill passes trust il
WILL that il viii form marked era in the history of our
country acceerang her progress all the elements pow
and prosperity 1t will add to population to pro
ductve strength and above ALL TO the
tentment of our citizens. furnishing and powerful
tves rally round government in its hour of danger,
which offers 10 The world the noble example OF benecence
instead of taxation and which thus aids in fulfilling the
great injunction replensh the earth and subdue tan
injunction which, if facilitated by such measure would
and dsobeyed it may be for centuries in much
our public domain, which would remain waste forest,
instead of being covered by happy and thriving popula
ton.
al have been gratdod ~ finding that the doctrines Of the
message understand them, bring the objects Of this
bill within the constitutional powers Of Congress and this
belief has been fortified BY the consideration that in the
animation Of the grants heretofore made, the President
but twothose 10 Kentucky and Connecticutwhch
he considers clearly unconstitutional Among those not dis
svowed grants made by the Florida law by
which tract hundred and sixty secured to
cgory who should occupy for three years and also by
the law by which six hundred and forty
acres or less according orcBmsGnces promised a
ter an occupation Of five years Like grants though
smaller SCALE made the French inhabitants of CALI
polls also the Ohio company for actual settlers and in
oer necessary TO be particularly referred to-