Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-13
MIR. HUMPHREYS LAND InLL.


( There is much wisdom in that famous reply
of Cicero, that he would rather err with Plato,
than be right with others. While itwould be folly
for any man SO far to compromise his indepen-
dence as to follow blindly the lead of another,
yet we should proceed with many grains Of eau
ton before throwing ourselves in opposition to
those whose long experience and admitted wis
dom have entitled them to the confidence re-
posed in them by their country. This maxim
applies with much force to the United States
land bill, proposed by Mr.. Hunter at the late
session Of Congress. 1t is at least significant,
if not a conclusive argument in its favor, that
the opponents Of this measure in the Senate
numbered only eleren, and Of this number not
one ,cas a member Of the Democratic party.
When Wings and Fresoilers unite in defeating
measure, we are inclined to believe that
measure to be both just and expedient.
While such mode of reasoning, however, is
calculated to make an impression on any mind,
it is far from being satisfactory. 1t is merely
the preparatory step by which the mind is rem
dered docile and capable of receiving unbiased,
the more conclusive arguments in support
of the measure. We have not seen more
complete summary Of the whole question than
that presented in a recent number of the Rich
mond Enquirer, which we lay before our read
ers to-day. All the various objections which
have been suggested by the opponents of Mr.
Hunter, are answered in mastery manner
The effect of the graduating principle in yield
ing handsome and speedy revenue from the
public lands, and in securing the settlement OF
the older land States, instead of distributing
the population sparsely over q vast extent OF
wilderness, is a striking and important feature
in the argument. Thus is adjusted, without
the sacrifice of a single principle, the jealousy
between the new and old States, which had
been engendered by their opposing interests in
the administration of the public lands. Nor is
this the most important object attained by this
bill. Not only is the General Government de-
prived of the administration of this corupting
fund, but the whole question of internal i'm
provement is settled by vesting it in the several
States rather than in the Federal Government
BY this simple and ingenious plan, all the ben
efts to be derived, by system Of internal i'm
provement in enhancing the value of lands, is
secured, while the principle Of the noninterfer-
ence of Congress with that question is effectu-
ally preserved.
Perhaps the most serious objection which has
been urged against this bill is what is called
the homestead feature of the eighth and ninth
sections. But even to this, which we confess
was by no means very palatable to us, there
can be no serious objection. The two-fold OBJ
iect which should be had in view in the execu-
ton of the land trust committed to Congress,
is to secure revenue and to settle the country.
Where these two conflict it is necessary as far
as possible to reconcile them, and this we think
has been attained by the provisions of this
measure.
1t is unnecessary to 70 further into discus
sion of this subject now, as we devote SO much
of our space to the article OF the Enquirer. We
have but little doubt and we sincerely hope
that Mr.. Hunters bill will be again considered
at the next session of Congress.
There is, however, one thing we win say in
conclusion. In every other compromise that
has been urged before Congress for the settle
ment of serious and important question,
there has been compromise of principle to
secure the object Such was the case in each
Of those three great compromise measures
which are so memorable in the history of our
country--in the Missouri compromise, the
tariff compromise, and the omnibus compro.
mise Of 1850. But in the present bill there is
no compromise Of principle. The principle is
secured, and kept sacred, and the power Of the
federal government is rather weakened than in
creased by measure which deprives it Of the
administration of fund which has always
been, and would ever be source Of discord
reckless extravaganza, and corruption.