Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-07-19
The Homestead Bill.

For week OF two past the. United states
Senate have been engaged In the diSc"SS'0" "
the homestead bill, now become rather d s'a'e
snbiect with the public. The discussion, now
ever is interesting, and from the time devoted
20 i e NAV infer that the fate of the bill Is stiii
in some degree uncertain. 1t IS CURIOUS ~ W,
serve in connexion with this measure, the iau'"'
difference between the sentiments OF the ieaueiS
of the great Democracy upon coliS'i'"'o"'" y
question, although all of them nomlnaily s'ano
upon the same political platform. Senators ua,
son and Hunter, for instance, denounce the bill
as unconstitutional, and outrageous IN every TEA
ture: while Messrs Cass and Douglas give 1t
their cordial appreciation and support, and 1t Is
rumorsd that the Executive regards 1t with Ia
vor. With the Wings opposition to the bill has
reference not so much to the question OF consutu-
tionality, as expediency, aud therefore some
difference of opinion among them is more excusa-
BILE; but it might have been expected that the
conservatism of Wing principles would lead all
the members of the party to oppose measure 50
aurariau and ruinous in its tendencies. Senator
Jones, of Tennessee, however, advocates the Dill
TO saw nothing of Mr. Seward, who would
doubtless go for any measure calculated to nil up
all the territories of the country with an Abolition
population.
When the bill was under consideration in the
Senate one day last week, Mr.. Clayton moved to
strike out the sixth section, which grants land to
aliens who have declared their intention to be-
come citizens, and to substitute therefor provs-
ion giving $l60 to mechanics and other persons
who are unable to avail themselves of the benefits
of the act by actual settlement and cultivation
There is much propriety in this amendment,
whether intended as a serious proposition, or
merely to expose the absurdiiy of the scheme =
The bill undertakes to give one hundred and six
ty acres of land to every one who will take them
upon certain conditions there are, however, ma
nv persons who do not want land, but to whom a
little money would be very acceptable. Let every
man then be allowed to select whether he will
take land or money Each individual is pre-
sumed to understand his own circumstances and
wants best; and as to the idea that the general
interest will be promoted by comforting the public
lands gratuitOusly upon individuals, we cannot
see but that it will be promoted quite as much by
distribution per capita of the surplus revenue in
the United States Treasury. If the public do
main is ravaged by spectators, and therefore
| must needs be given away to prevent Its being
stolen, the Federal Treasury is equally exposed
to the depredations of harpieS, and should be
emptied in the same manner.
Mr.. Clayton's amendment was supported by
Senators Butler, Clay and Pratt, and opposed by
| Messrs. Chase, Stuart, Seward, Cas-, Jones, and
others. Mr.. Clay, Democratic Senator from
Alabama, discaimed all political association with
Native Americansm or "Know- Nothingism, - but
said he, spass this bill and you will see thor
oughly organized Native American party through
out the Southern States" Mr.. Seward, on the
other hand criticised what is said to be the
"Know- Nothing" creed, and spoke in favor Of
giving to foreigners all the rights granted by the
| bill of settling on the public lands. The other
free sol. Senators took the same ground, advoca-
ting the largest liberty to foreigners-not only to
those now in the country but to all who may here
after come. Two facts seem thus pretty well es-
tablished by this debate: first, that Northern Alb
olitonists and Freesoilers are not particularly in
favor of the "Know- Nothings"; and second, that
all Southern Democratic politicians are not partic-
ularly opposed to tsem-the affirmative of which
propositions have been pretty roundly asserted OF
late.
The reader is referred 10 our Congressional
head for synopsis of proceedings on the bill