The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-22

ne enoined upon his followers the observance OF his pol
icy and laws, and promised them that long as they
maintained and observed this policy and these laws they
should be prosperous happy and prevail over Their enc
mics.
Eight years later-tha is one thousand four hundred
and fortyfour years before ChrisJoshua having exte-
minated the ancient Canaanite and fully possessed ne
ouny divided the lands among the families as had been
commanded by Moses thus consummang the promise
that had been made to the Jews more than fory years
before, and for the accomplishment OF which they had
borne with unparalleled patience and forhtude ndescba-
BILE privations and suierings
Thus had the Jews under the smulant of a promise
that they should be the of lands performed ms
journey expelled and exterminated numerous and
powerful nation than themselves, with cies great and
fenced up to HeayenH- Deuteronomy chapter verse
Mr. President long this people kept these laws ana
observed this policy they constantly progressed in power
and greatness and bid defiance TO all the surrounding bar
barous nations though many times more numerous ana
powerful than they But they ceased to observe
this policy and these laws and allowed their lands TO be
absorbed by the few 1.-THE common soldier having nothing
to fight for they became prey to surrounding nations,
their homes desoated and their people became cap
tives in foreign lands,
call the history of Sparta the notice Of senator's For
many years the Sprans had been distracted and over
by their enemies in every engagement and reduced
to abect weakness till "Lycnrgus eight hundred and
eighty -four years before Christ destroyed all distinctions
and by making equal division Of the land of Lacoaia
among the members OF the he banshed lux
ury and encouraged the useful arts Luxury was Danish
ed and the useful arts encouraged by the division Of
the lands But this not all from that time the Spar
tans united in warm burning glowing, and ardent
patriotism, and met suffered in till
the battle of Lcuctraa period of five hundred and twelve
years There then may be in bold relief the direct
effects and advantages of the ownership OF lands by the
of the people Nor did this defeat happen till they
had in substance abandoned the laws Of Lycurgus In
my deliberate Judgment 81 100000 thus appropriated is
worth than $lo0000000 expended in orthcations
and standing armies
An instance in the history of Rome may be referred to-
After all the lands and wealth of that mighty empire
xnI tir
pdtrcians and efeminaed by excessive luxury
dleness and debauchery and the pbeans were reduced
bcggary and almost to starvation and after the failure
of the Gracch and others to divide the lands among the
masses Rome threatenedyes actually involved
in war; and her very citadel reduced to imminent danger
and out of her immense population she could not raise
troops defend herself Then pacidns appealed to the
oppressed pebans rise take arms and defend their coun
try; but the plebeans reply We have country
Why should shed blood and give lives for Rome
when she gives only misery and degradationY
Here Mr.. President is glaring instance OF national
weakness from national injuscefrom the want OF coup
ling patriotism with interest If the lands had been
divided among the Masses Rome would have wanted
soldiers or defenders.
Mr. President the Egyptian and his laws have disap-
peared The Jews orsook the law that was given them
amidst the reveberaon of the thunders of Sinai and fell
The Spartans suffered their lands to be absorbed by the
few and they swept from the face of the earth Rome
pursued her of oppression to the ong masses and
nothing remains OF her former greatness and grandeur but
her decayed and decayng monuments statues and tenn
pes
Mr. President like causes viii produce like effects With
what warning voice do these historic "reminiscences come
to They suggestive of words that would fill large
volumes but will not enlarge deain the Senate Let
take heed and avoid the rock which they split by
early division of our public lands among those who wiz
occupy and cultivate them and thus you will avoid the
of the pebeans to the patrcnns OF Rome and nj
all times have army willing and efficient in time OF
need Give TO the country an army OF landowners ana
cultivators and may successfully bid defiance TO the
world in .#e
We have vast unoccupied and uncuvated tracts Of
lands and they must remain for long years to come
less adopt this policy and the lands are no longer
needed of to the government let us
make this wise disposition Of them that has proved so ad
van,ageous TO other countries
And now Mr.. President " have not and cannot con-
vince the judgments Of senator's that this wise prudent
and satesmanlike policy let appeal to their pity JUS
tice and humanity and OH that had thousand elo-
quent tongues make that appeal with Pass this BILL
and hear the prayers and blessings Of millions OF honest
hearts ascend to Heaven in your behalf
Is there senator here who If in his declining years he
should find one man surrounded by family of children
who by the operation Of this bin had been raised from pow
erty want and wrechedness to comfort prosperity and
happiness would not feel fully rewarded and in his heart
thank God that he had been instrumental in producing
happy result and that he had voted for so benign law
Justice requires what wisdom dictates Let il be done
Mr.. EVANS. have the consent of the senator Mr..
WKERl who reported this bill 10 move that 1t be post
poned until tomorrow and at the time TO move that
the bin which has been heretofore under consideration and
which reported from the Committee Revolutionary
Claims in regard TO the settlement Of the claims Of reyou-
tonary officers, be taken up
The motion TO postpone was agreed to.
SCHOOL LANDS IN ALABAMA
Mr. CLAY With the consent Of the senator from South
Carolina desire TO to take mp the bill which was
laid yesterday at the suggestion Of the honorable
senator from Mississippi fMr BRowSl which, presume,
win incur opposition and which will excite debate
II laid the suggestion Of the senator from
Mississippi through any opposition to the measure it.
self but with the view of amending 1t to provide for
certain citizens Of the class in his State II is
intended authorize the inhabitants Of certain townships
in Alabama locate other lands in lieu Of the sixteenth
sections in those townships which had been reserved by
Indian treaties for the benefit Of the Indians
Mr.. EVANS viii waive my motion to take up the
revoutionaryclam bill TO permit the bill which the sena-
tor mentions TO be considered.
Mr. GAYS motion agreed 10 and the Senate, as in
committee Of the whole proceeded TO the consideration OF
the bill from the House of Representatives 70 authorize the
school commissioners Of fractional township No. of range
No 10 east in Alabama 10 locate hasecton Of land
for school purposes which read.
II directs the school commissioners Of the fractional
township mentioned In the district of lands subject TO
sale ut Lebanon Alabama enter free Of charge IN lieu
OF lands TO which they entitled by any existing law,
one halfsecon anywhere in the township with view TO
the ultimate convenience Of the citizens and the quality Of
the soil for school purposes and such selection is be
governed by the rules laws and regulations other
reserved sixteenth sections in Alabama They locate
and report within two years TO the Commissioner of the
General Land Office what lands they have located and he
h upon the receipt OF the report 10 withdraw the land
from sale and the title Is to be valid any Of the six
eeuth sections heretofore granted In the new States
Mr.. BROWN had intended 70 move an amendment
20 the bin asked its posponement yesterday for that
purpose My friend from Alabama objects 70 it and thinks
II would embarrass the bill the making Of an amend
ment TO IL would take II back the other house there
fore orego that purpose but give notice that will intro
prnvide Msois-