Washington sentinel., 1854-07-25


his government 10 give them an opportunity 10
10 il? That policy which secures 10 my country
men the greatest amount OF happiness VIII Always
my support. The houseless and home
less who are now "the hewers OF wood and draw
ers of water in the old communities, should be
10 migrate 10 land where their toll
and labor would be properly rewarded. How sell
fish the policy which would deny them an oppor-
lunity TO better their condition.
Sir it is said that this is squandering the public
lands. deny it. The proposition Of my colleague
(Mr GwTN) TO require settlers TO pay twenty-five
cents an acre, is based upon the idea that II the
general government receives from the settlers the
whole amount which II has disbursed for the pur-
chase and survey ofthe land, then the settler, as
one Of the people, has done enough in paying that
amount and indemnifying his government against
loss. Is there any one who desires 10 see this gov
ernment converted into land speculator! Is
there any one who desires that the trustee (and
the government is held TO be such) shall constitute
himself q specuator 10 extort from the people
high profits upon the lands which he may hold
Surely none of us advocate that doctrine. hold,
therefore, that the senator from Maryland (Mr.
PEARcE) had right 10 declare that we were
squandering the public land when, by the very
provisions OF this BILL we require of the settler
larger amount for the land than The government
has invested in its purchase and survey The
average cost ofrhis land 10 the government is said
TO be twenty-two cents per acre, and TO extort
higher price is 10 make the government specu-
lator. am speaking, of this bill upon the suppo-
siton that this amendment will be adopted.
But, Mr. President there is another considera-
ton which has its influence upon my mind. There
are many American citizens who have already
gone, not only into the younger States OF this
Union, but into the Territories which you have
recently organized. There are American citizens
already in Nebraska and Kansas. There are
Americans, TOO, in Minnesota, Utah, and New
Mexico. They are entitled TO the protection OF
our laws; they entitled 10 protection for their
persons and for their property; for, sir go where
you may, whether you stand upon the frontier or
in the centre of the republic, you entitled 10
demand this. In these new States and Territories
YOU have large number Of tribes of hostile Indi-
ans against whose aggressions you are bound TO
protect your people. You can al present only give
that protection by keeping strong armed force !;
but If you pass the Homestead BILL if you enable
the people of the old States TO go there, you will
have extended that protection which will super
sede the necessity OF military force.
Again, you are compelled now 10 keep up
large military establishment in New Mexico, for
the purpose of executing your laws, and giving
adequate protection 10 American citizens who
may settle within its limits. Sir, you may diminish
your military force if you will induce the American
people from the States 10 settle down upon these
lands, and thus give mutual protection to each
other. In this l find consideration TO operate
upon my mind in favor Of the bill as il originally
stood. 1t will diminish the expenses incident 10
the maintenance Of your military establishment
In this the federal government will find its reward.
But, sir, We have been told by gentlemen on the
other side thai, under the operation OF the bill,
Abere will be none but loafers and vagabonds who
Will emgrate! undertake 10 say, that if this bill
becomes law, you will have in these Territories
the Same population that you have found upon the
frontiers OF the newer States OF this union-a
hardy, enterprsing, and industrious people. Your
loafers and vagabonds fixtures upon your
cities; and those cities, Thomas Jefferson said,
are sores upon the body-politic. The loafers and
yagabonds confined TO the cities, and neither
the passage of this bill, nor Of any other liberal
land bill, can ever induce them 10 migrate 10 the
west, and encounter all the hardshlps and dangers
incident 10 frontier life.
Tell me, sir, that the loafers and vagabonds who
nfest your cities are going out into The far west
10 encounter the hostile Indian-to reduce the
lands there 10 state of cultivation-that they are
the men who are going to wrestle with the grizzly
bear, or play with the cayote or wolf of the des-
seui No. sir; nor does il require, as is contended,
any great degree OF science TO cultivate the SOIL
IL is said that none but farmers those who have
been regularly educated 10 the cultivation of the
soil, can derive any advantage from the opera
tion Of this bill. apprehend that il requires no
great degree of learning 10 cut down trees, 10
pow the ground, or cultivate corn. No, sir, your
mechanics and hard-working, laboring men in
the cities, who are toiling from day 10 day for a
poor subsistence will, under the operation Of this
bill emigrate 10 the west, and soon become farmers
successful, useful farmers. This is not, as has
been said, guasi kgsslafIo1 because AL allow
ed 10 participate in lis blessings. But even sup
pose :" the loaiers and vagabonds" from your cities
were TO elnigrate would il not be a great advan.
tsge 10 the cities themselves? If you could take
them out OF the thicky settled communities, if
you could scatter them over an extensive surface
in the mighty valleys of the west, would you not
render them less injurious 10 society, and their
vagabond habits less dangerous TO the community I?
Sir, IL will be the hardy and enterprising, those
who are not afraid 10 encounter nature in her
widest moods, who will seek for themselves, un-
def the operation of this bill, home in the west.
The idle and the dissolute, who have ambition
10 stimulate, and who are content with mere
animal existence, will remain in your cities and
towns, whilst the industrious poor, who are strv-
ing against penury and want, will emgrate. Feel
ing the obligations resting upon them TO obtain
their support by the sweat of their brows, they
will seek home where they by their toll
render their families comfortable.
Mr.. President, there has been much said upon
this floor in connexion with this subject, which
does not receive tie sanction Of my judgment.
know not why IL is that Just this particular unc-
ture, certain senators here have found IL necessary
TO enter into cru.ade against the foreign popuIa-
ton, who are now coming 10 the United States.
WHY'S it that, during the pendency of this bill, we
have heard these foreigners denounced as paupers
as vagabonds, as worthless members OF society 2
You may find the secret Of IT, perhaps, in the stale
ment made by the senator from Delaware, fMr.
ton in this country, known by the name Of know
nothings," who are exercising tremendous iniu-
ence over its politics. Why was il that the sena-
tor from Delaware informed the Senate that this
association had carried nearly all Of the cities in
which popular elections have recently been held
Did he state that fact for the purpose OF jusfyng
himself in his crusade against the foreign popula-
tionf Al is matter Of the most perfect indiffer-
ence 10 me whether that secret association be
powerful one or not. know nothing of the prn-
ciples upon which they have been acting but if
theirs be the creed adverted 10 by the senator
from New York, have no hesitation in denounc-
ing them as unworthy the age in which we live.
They propose, il is affirmed
1. repeal Of all naturalization laws
2. None but native-born Americans for Office
3. War 10 the hilt on Romanism.
4. Opposition, first and last, TO the formation of
military companies composed Of foreigners.
can scarcely believe, Mr.. President, that men
have associated together for the accomplishment
Of these objects, but. if they have. must be per-
United TO say that, in my Judgment they should be
denounced by all true and honest Americans. He
who proscrbes another for his religious opinions,
seeks TO revive the spirit Of intolerance which ex
PEELED our ancestors from their native land, and
forced them TO these shores. To MAINTAIN politi-
cal liberty, federation Of religion is ndispensa-
bic. Every man must be left free 10 worship the