Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-15
The Public Lands Again,


Two highly important bills in reference TO the
public lands were passed., each by one house Of
Congress, last week-the bill appropriating land
70 all the States for the benefit of the INDECENT in
sane by the Senate, and the homestead bill by the
House of Representatives. The first is a meas
ure truly benefcent, while the other is perncious
in every aspect in which it can be viewed.
The INDECENT Insane bill Gas it is called by the
reporters) was, Of course, resolutely opposed of
our NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Senators Messrs. Mason
and Hunter. These gentlemen are undoubtedly
consistent in their course, aud we believe entirely
conscientious; but consistency is not always a
virtue, and the people OF Virginia might well re-
greet that they are represented at this time in both
houses of Congress by statesmen who are so rig
idly bound by political creed. If opposition to
all laud bills on the part of our representatives
could prevent their passage, the case would be
different for then the proceeds Of the common
property would pass into the national treasury J;
but when Virginia refuses to insist upon having
her share of the public domain she virtually hands
it all over to the new States. Western and
Southern States, whose people sickle just as
much about Democracy as Virginia politicians,
have no seruples on the subject; but we are re-
quired to support our indgent insane and build
our railroads with money wrung from US by the
tax gatherer. The bill that has just passed the
Senate may be defeated in the House by the votes
of the Virginia members. Such result will ex-
actly play into the hands of the new States, which
will thus ultimately obtain every acre for their
own local purposes. e.f
The homestead bill passed the House BY ayote
of 10Y to 72-all the members from Virginia, ex-
eept Mr. McMullen, voting against 1t. This
measure is fraught only with evil. 1t will confer
no real benefit upon the persons who avail them
selves of its provisions, and at the same time robs
the old States of their rights. Ii is agrarian in
lis principles, and the first step towards general
division Of property AS general rule the man
who cannot earn enough to purchase homestead
out Of the public lands at the present low prices,
will make no good use Of one granted to him gra-
tuitously. Yet this class Of people is to be ag-
RranulleQ w tN6 OOfSltuiShI Ut ti'O OAPSHSO VI
the honest hard working population Of the coun-
try. And what business has Government in un-
dertaking to provide homes for individuals? The
respective States make provision forPaupers, and
protection Of life, liberty and property is all thai
any Government is required to, or can iuGicously
extend to others. When it proceeds further thai
this, it assumes more than.its legitimate duty.
III But it is surmised that deep laid scheme Il
involved in this homestead bill. The bill not on
Nv authorizes citizens of twenty-one years of age
and over, to locate 100 acres of land, and obtain
patent after Ave years occupancy, but foreign
srs, also, who declare their intention to becom
citizens. Should the bill then become law W
shall have such flood Ofemigration from Europ
as the country has never before witnessed. Nc
braska and Kansas will be oyerrun and every q
ere of the public lands occupied in short time
Foreigners generally come among us with deeply
rooted preudices against the institution ofslavery
The new corners will swell the abOlitionist ranks
and. outnumbering the settlers from the SOuther
States, speedily convert the territories where the
locate into free soil. Eyea Missouri, it is sale
is to be abolitionized by the same means. Th
is the plan, or at least this will be the result
Abotionists and freesoilers in Congress go for tn
measure to man.