The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-08-04
The Hunter Land Bill.


In an article which transfer to our own COL
umns, the Washington Sentinel presents an ire
sistible argument in support of Senator Hunters
scheme for the final disposition of the public
lands.
We can make allowance for the scruples Of
who object 10 the homestead provision Of this bill
and we appreciate the reluctance with which they
consent 10 support d measure in apparent conflict
with important principle. But cannot be-
lieve that any Intelligent mind, not incorrigibly
bigoted TO impracricabIe theory. will reject the
bill with all its great and incontestble advantages,
simply because il is defective in sing e particular.
This bill is the result of necessity. Sena
Hunter than whom no man is strict and
rigid in his construction OF the powers of the
Federal government over the public domain, does
pretend that his bill realizes ideal perfec.
ton. But he claims, and justly claims for the
measure that it embodies Pernicious princi pie,
that II achieves results Of the greatest advantage
to The country, and that i: saves the South from
imminent and overwhelming calamity. There
is not an intelligent person in Washington who
did not foresee that the ultimate triumph Of the
Homestead Bill, with all its odious provisions, was
among the inevitable events Of a not remote fu-
tire. Rather than suffer the measure 10 pass in
all its hIdeous deformity. il was the plain and i'm
perative duty Of the representatives. of the South,
as far as possible, to purge it Of its obnoxious pro-
visions. Mr.. Hunter has done more than this /:
he has defeated The obnoxious measure, and in its
stead has substituted bill of essentially different
character, and OF great and !ndisputable advan-
age, though possibly not per(ec, in all its minute
Details
II may argue some independence of judgment
to pronounce summary and flppant condemnation
on measure which originated with Hunter, and
which has the sanction of the unanimous Demo.
cratic vote Of the Senate; but for our part we
chose rather 10 follow their lead than be found in
moeIy minority Of Wings and Aboliionists. If
this bill conflict with the princ pies OF State Rights
School and impair the interests OF the South it IS
singular circumstance that lis champions should
be Mason and Butler. and its opponents Badger
and Seward.
The most intelligent person should betray some
diffidence in opposing measure which is recon-
mended 10 the country with such array of au-
thoriry as sanctions MIR. Hunters Bill. The pre-
| sumption is legitimate that either the measure Is
not such an imperfect examination represents
it, else that its passage is urged and warranted
by circumstances of which are not cognizant.
The presumption is legitimate that men who have
been selected for elevated and responsible position
by reason OF their intellectual superiority and their
| fid' ty TO the interests of the Statewide bring
all their sagac'ly 10 its service, and who, from
constant study perfectly familiar with the po-
litical condition Of The country-wc say the infe-
renee is legitimate that these men have not rashly
committed themselves to measure Of pernicious
| principle and mischirvous consequence.
| The New York Courier and Enquirer,
dent advocate of The original Homestead bill. op.
poses this measure vehemenrIy, and for the reason
that - its success would efFecIuaIly defeat the
| homestead principle in our legislation" Perhaps
we may derive an argument in favor of the mea.
sure as well from the opposition Of its enemies as
from the support of its friends.
The more we reflect upon this important mea.
sure, and The better we understand It's nature and
operation, the higher is appreciation Of its ad-
vantag"s, and the greater admiration of the
craftsmanship which conceived it. Mr. Hunter
renders great service to the South in averring an
evil which we had all come TO regard inevitable
and to the union by forever closing controversy
which was exasperating the politics of the coun.
try, corruP'Iug its Legislation, and tainting the
public morals.- Richmond Enquirer.