The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-26

-
Popes Nuncio synonymous with tyranny, the stake
and matyrdom for conscience sake not therefore
strange when they heard that in this country Of u-
bounded liberty that they should have Committed some
in aniiesng their dsapprobaon Of the part
was supposed TO have taken in the expressions of their
eonntrymen repeat sir that am opposed to for
eignes but have briefly stated my opinions the true
future policy of this government
viii not consume the time of the Senate by going into
details as TO what will be the effect Of this bin fit should
become law. will say, however, that had the honor
OF making few remarks upon graduation bill and upon
this subject at the last session OF Congress Since that
time have mingled with my constituents and conversed
with them freely upon this subject and have found but
one man in the State Of Mississippi with whom eonyersed
who did not express preference for the graduation bill to
the homestead bill For what reason BY the homestead
bill you give man hundred and sixty upon
dion that he will remain upon it five years Men feel
and every freeman must feel that you are making him a
pauper upon this government by doing so. Men would
prefer paying twelve and half cents twenty hve fifty
cents according to the intrinsic value Of the land
with the liberty selling when they think proper They
would greatly prefer that and tell you that the
does not understand the people who supposes that they
prefer having lands given them to their buying them and
giving for them their intrinsic value fa. B5
know that holding up all the lands at 81 25 per
charging for poor and yaueess lands the price that
you charge for the most valuable and rich lands has
tedand justly soa prejudice against the present sys-
tenn but graduate the lands according to their value and
public opinion will be different from what it is
say that the people prefer paying reasonable compensa
ton for their land and thus being Independent reemen
feeling that they have purchased their homes and that
they paupers upon the federal to hay
ing given to them and requiring them remain upon
Tor ye years which is sort OF penance kind of peni
tenary that does suit the genius of the people Of this
their own beng at liberty to sell them whenever they
please and for whatever they may be able obtain
them say, sir that according TO my humble Judgment
ninety nine out of hundred of the inhabitants Of the
landhoding States will greatly prefer graduation system
to this homestead bill as il is called.
Mr. President did for the purpose of entering
into anything like general argument this question ;
but as this homestead bill has created interest in the
country and have heard upon various occasions its
r
oor on this OCCASION to say that the father of the princ
pie of this bill the late Felix G. Mcconnell. My
friend from Indiana Mr. PETIT viii remember that when
we were in the House of Representatives the first that
ever heard Of such bill in the Congress of the United
States so far as know, the proposition of General
Mcconnell lie offered upon every occasion in season
and out of season. His amendment was this that
hundred and sixty of the public domain is hereby APP
proprated to every head Of famly--man maid and
widow He was the father of the bill, far know ;
and if credit is due any one il is due his memory
do not know that should have alluded the fact but
still as have heard Others claimed the authors Of the
BILL thought would state it, though do not think that
the bill is right in principle that any credit will result to
any one from it.
Mr. THOMPSON of Kentucky The first section of the
bill grants to every who is citizen of the United
States who shall hereafter become citizen of the United
States who is the head Of family twentyon of
age one hundred and sixty Of land without paying
for it. after five years residence and occupation The sixth
section authorizes any resident of State Territory who
is not citizen Of the United States also to make
like application and take hundred and sixty If
understand the amendment proposed by the senator from
Ohio ii is that hereafter citizenship shall be perequ
site the making of the claim nor shall residence in
State or Territory be prerequisite; but that the actual
filing of declaration by foreigner portion of
the world when he here or his Intention 10 become
uralzed he shall also he enabled without pay free
cost to take and occupy hundred and sixty of the
public land Am right in reference TO my understanding
Of your amendment
Mr. WADE. They must live five years it,
Mr. THOMPSON That is true. They must live Eve
years on it. Now in reference to the amendment well
as TO the bill desire although prepared
| wished TO be. W things
few days since Al the other end Of this Capitol when
i was proposed to donate to the different States land for
the purpose Of taking of the needy citizens of this
country who by the visitation of Heaven insane and
incapable Of taking of themselves it reported
upon adversely as being against the constitution of the
United States When IT was proposed that our own ci-
zens the insane the pauper and the neoestous who need
this aid should have such grant made for their benefit
told that il could he done under the consu-
ton of the United States Such donation States for
the purpose of taking of the insane told
unconstitutional but now the senator from Ohio offers
proposition which, if it be adopted and carried into effect
viii enable US to give to every criminal every fugitive
from justice every vagabond and every pauper from Eu
rope and from every portion Of the world who lands
our shores, that which we deny to our citizens who
under the visitation of God need IL Of whom ought to
take care and to whom bound by ties different from
any which unite us 10 foreigners
Mr.. President had intended when heard this
spoken OF as Of justice and propriety its
mitment to the Committee the Judiciary, that they
might put It into shape before compeed TO vote
upon ii for in its operation should be equal equitable
right and just There should be class legislation Is
proposedno class legislation in favor OF Foreigners
In our legislation should begin with people
home But, if you give land to the andless why not
amend the BILL and give money the moneyless2 One
man needs land, but another needs money Amend the
BILL then and give $500 each of those who Of
change-to those who need money; and, in addition Mr.,
President make provision for mechanics professional
merchanis-in short for that large class of people
who not agrcutursts If il is intended donation
bonus equity and justice require that you should like
wise give to other vocatons and proessionsto artisans
mechanics and merchantsthe bonus, the donation the
argess the paupers gift whatever you choose to de-
nominate II. As in the you give land, in the
other you should give money, and make such dscrim
nation as is proposed by this bill,
Let there be equality, If you claim that under the
stuon Of the United States in making rules and regula
ons in reference TO the territory Of the Union doing
injustice 10 the respective States you have right TO
donate the lands donate them with nvidous dscrim
nation make unequal distinction donate to those
who able 10 bear the toll and burden and hard
ships OF frontier feyour old men, your crippcs, your
widows your wormen your mechanics md people Of that
description outside Of agricultural nterestsn money
what you donate in land TO those who aqrcutursts.
Mr. President have said that thought this bill should
be committed 10 the Committee the Judiciary; think
IL should go there for several have heard IL said
that r the public domain Is concerned at least
much OF il owned anterior TO the Mexican war
had pledged II for money 10 prosecute that war. ask
then, legal question: You take this property, which
is thus under mortgage and lien and give Il away2 1
ask too question Of morals whether you should give
II away when II Is bound and pledged for the payment Of
your debs2 Are you TO neglect this private claim, and
say to strangers and foreigners, to aliens in blood
and IN language that they may have NJ Ought not to
10 pay the debt which you incurred in the prosecution Of
that war;