Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-25
ASSAULTS ON MIR. HUNTER AND HIS
LAND RIIL.


ter himself receive ample encouragement from
the whig press They are patronizingly patted
on the head and DANGEROUSLY cheered on in
their indiscreet undertaking. Nothing would
more delight the Wings than to see the hitherto
serricd ranks of the Virginia Democracy divi-
ded, distracted and scattered Nothing would
more delight them than to see that sagacious
able, and experienced champion of Virginia
Democracy, Robert NJ. T. Hunter, assailed, de-
feated and crushed. 1t is not therefore to be
wondered at that they encourage Mr., Hunters
enemies in their assaults on him and his BILL
We say assaults on him, for the weapons they
use, the epithets they apply, and the acrimony
they exhibit, all indicate that he, more than his
bill, is the object Of their hostility.
Exhilarated by the cheering cries of sympa
thizing Wings, they rush madly on, unmindful
of all consequences. They seem to be careless
whether they assail friend or foe. This demo
cratic warfare against Senator Hunters bill
seems to be confined to the State of Virginia.
Outside of that ancient Commonwealth, but
few if any democratic papers have assailed it.
The bulk, if not all, that we have seen, have ex-
pressed themselves in favor of it, when they
have expressed themselves at all.
We are inclined to believe that much of the
opposition that has been manifested, proceeds
from an entire ignorance of the policy pro.
posed by the bill. There are many who hav-
ing learned the lessons of State rights by rote,
fail to see the application of the principles
which have been taught them. They discourse
learnedly on great constitutional truths, and
arrogantly conceive themselves to be the au-
thors and defenders of those truths. A child
by touching the trigger of gun will send the
deadly ball as far as full grown man, but he
does not thus prove himself to be as expert
with the weapon. he does not aim well, and
fails of accomplishing the result which he may
desire. 1t is thus with these young statesmen,
who being loaded to the muzzle with a certain
class Of principles, shoot away at subjects to
which they can have no application, pleased
like the little boy with the noise they make
1t would be well to inform such ambitious
defenders of the faith, that the land bill to
which Mr.. Hunter has given the strength Of
his name is not liable to many of the objections
which have been urged against it. 1t certainly
is not gratuiteus homestead bill. 1t fixes the
price Of the public lands on the broad principle
which should govern every proprietor in the
disposition Of his property. 1t is indeed new
idea to us, as it would surely be to the great
father ofpolitical economy, that price should
be affixed to property, without reference to the
demand for that property. There is no truth
more firmly established, and more generally
conceded, than that which regulates value by
demand. Hence it is that the graduation prin-
ciple Of Mr.. Hunters bill is sound doctrine and
wise policy. Congress would be unworthy to
be the trustee of these lands if she pursued a
policy which doomed them forever TO be an I'M
settled wilderness. A homestead bill, unjust as
we believe il to be, would at least have the eff.
| feet Of developing the lands and constituting
| them as part Of our national wealth. But
this principle of holding them in the market
at price which for thirty years they have failed
! to command, would ensure their remaining as
| they now are waste, unsettled, and useless
| domain. We therefore look upon it rs con-
ceded that the graduation feature Of the bill is
both sound and polite.
The prices fixed for the lands in Mr.. Hunters
bill, and afterwards incorporated in the bill Of
| Mr. Cobb, are by no means such as to Justify
The trade Of abuse that has been poured upon
them. According TO the report of the commits.
sioner, the estimated value Of the lands is four
teen cents per acre being eleven cents less
than the price fixed by the bill. So far, there.
fore, from being gratuity, or q mere design to
secure the constitutional question, it is wise
and just disposition Of the property. 1t will Sc
cure the settlement Of the territory, enhance the
market value Of the adjoining lands, and yield
handsome revenue.
Nor is there more force in the violent oppo
sition to other features Of the bill. The lant
is only given to the actual settler after period
Of FIVE years. and then at price proportional,
TO the real value. There is then none Of the
danger which has been apprehended or pre-
tended, that the whole Of these lands will BIZ
given to the hungry hordes of emigrants who
flock daily to our shores. Long before they
can have the title TO the property, association
and time will tend to remove the prejudices o
their native land, or their false impressions il
regard to tho land Of their adoption. Non,
but the really worthy can purchase at tn,
prices required while those who are prudent
industrious, and useful may easily secure ,
home Thus there is provided happy comb
nation Of liberality and policy. A home and
competency is open to the worthy emigrant
and this immense domain becomes a source o
revenue to the government
We-see in this violent attack Of the press il
his own State, desire TO break down Mr.
Hunter--and to elevate others whom he ha
surpassed BY true merit. Any such attemp
: we feel assured will prove unsuccessful. Tn,
proud old State which has so long been amons