The daily union., 1854-03-03
In CONGRESS- OF THE u. STATES.
Thirty-Thir oonxress-First session
WEDNESDAY, MARCH l, 1854.
lIs CONTINUATION,
THE INDECENT rSsAsE

THE INDECENT INSANE
The bill rs 44) making grant OF public lands 10 The
several oaes ana Territories OF the Union for The benefit
OF INDECENT insane persons, read third time The
question was stated on the passage OF the BILL on which
the yeas and nays had been ordered.
Mr.. MASON. MIR. President, this bill, as un
deisland u, is departure very great departure,
from any previous policy varied as that policy has
been, IN regard TO The public lands. ! am free to
confess that II is somewhat difficult TO resist the ap
peal that has been made TO the Senate upon the sub
ject OF the bill, because il is addressed only TO the
senslblies OF senator's In former dispositions OF the
public lands, varied, said they have been, moi
that any disposition has been made Of the public
lands but with regard to political considerations
These public lands have formed most disturbing element
the councils OF the nation for many years The dis
position 10 be made OF them has gone far, in my udg
meni 10 uDhnge the constitution and all constitutional
acts. There is now bill depending, as we aware,
which will probably be before us-a bill which has been
heretofore before the Senateo give these lands away,
and 10 give them away to the first comers whether they
be citizens OF the United States foreigners. Well,
that bill has political considerations connected
with IT, because II is said, and properly said, that when
you invite settlers into the wilderness and give them
portion OF land, The improvements which they will
make will more than indemnify the government, or re-
munerate il for the gatuity in the appreciation OF the
adjacent lands There is then pctext, least OF
pouca consideration that might lead to the passage OF
such bill.
Then there is another class OF bills. several OF which
passed the Senate, because il was idle to object them
on the part OF those who think as do, that il is i'm
providence i not an unconstitutional disposition |
mean that class Of bills giving these lands to railroad
companies, or 10 States 10 construct railroads. Even
there again there is TO be found political element
or some shadow OF political element, because of the al
legged appreciation OF the lands through which these roads
shall pass.
But, sir wha, is This bill Has i, any such elements
connected with II at all Is addressed 10 any other
consideration than those which are purely moral Ii is
bill which makes the federal government the grand
almone OF the States, and gives land away for po
ical purposes but TO be used altogether chary and
II there be consideration which can be urged BY any
advocate OF this bill, except that il is charitable TO do so
L "A w n nj frOn ,dAf 10
the bill proposes that shall give these public lands
cording 10 stated ratio, amongst the States, TO endow
hospitals tor the maintenance and cure, il they be
eurable OF certain class of paenslhe indigen, in
sane Now, put il 10 The Senate. and through the Sem
ate hope shall put il to the country, whether
il it is competent 10 Congress to constitute itself an
almoner for the States distribute charity for The benefit
OF the inaigent insane is il equally competent for
Congress TO take charge Of the poor Of the States What
is the difference! Why should we Just well strike
out the word insane in that BILL and the land to the
Slales TO maintain their poor, whether insane or not
The principle is entirely the same, If give the
land TO The States to maintain their poor, ask what de-
parment in the police OF State is il that the govern
ment may not invade Why may not the general gov
eminent take the control of the subec, in the States
and administer the police regulations Of the States at
their peasures 1t is entering wedge. What sort OF
right have we to do it! In what relation does the gov
ernment stand TO the public lands is II the owner, TO
dispose OF 1t at the caprice the pleasure OF Congress
or The time being, or is this trust, 10 be administered
as trust, and treated rasti Why, sir, If we can
give the land for the benefit of the INDECENT nsane
public property 2
Sir, The bill requires OF the States that they shall treat
this land or The proceeds OF lis sale sacred fund.-
and administer it exclusively for the support OF one class
OF charity, and the argument addressed is, that the ndi
gent insane are class iellow-bengs who appeal
strongly our sensibes than any other class OF
our fellow beings. That Is the whole OF itthat they
are class OF fellow beings who because OF their
condition, being deprived of reason. appeal strongly
to our sensIbihes than any other class OF fellow
beings, and therefore il incumbent on Congress 10 in
terfere for their relief and for their support Why is il
Incumbent on Congress 10 interfere for Them than
Tor any other class cannot see admit, If can en-
er,an the argument addressed our eensbiltes that
they more deserving the and protection OF gov
ernment than any other class; bu, you must at last
solve the question whether the government has author
ty to interfere for any class; and if il has not for one
IT certainly has no, for another.
Now, sir, is not this that sickly senimen'aity which
was so properly and so appropriately exposed here the
other day upon this floor BY my honorable friend from
the State OF South Carolina, Mr.. BUrLER u Cannot the
States take care OF their poo whether they
or merely lndigeni Is II not the duty OF the States to
take care OF their poor, and they doing it
not aware that there State IN the Unon although
there may be- That has not in the discharge Of It's appo
PIRATE duty provided hospitals for this class OF patients
as they have provided poor houses for those who are
able to work; and ii there be any State where this duty
is neglected, has been neglected not because of the
want OF ability IN the State, but inclination in the
State. And what are we TO do We are 10 give fund
TO those who do NOT want II, or 10 those who will
use 1T or my word for it, If know anything OF human
nature, there is not State in the Union which has fell
II an obligation upon itself 10 provide for the INDECENT In
sane, that will not do H. and will not do i, well, indie
pendent OF cis gratuiiy; and if there be State that
has not done IT, that State will neglect your fund.- and
allow il 10 be deprecated upon and to rust away
Now, sir, am very much concerned at the necessity
which requires OF me- against the sensbtes OF my ow
nature, to oppose such bill have been strongly i'm.
pressby addressed from 9th quarters in reference 10 this
bill and II could have yielded to what consider pub
lie duty TO indulge the emotions OF my heart shond
not be here to oppose IT, But when know that there il
not one argument addressed TO pass this BILL ex
cept that which would constitute this government ma
tonal almoner 10 the States Tor any purpose, am not
al liberty 10 give IL my support IL would be dangerous
principe-an exceedingly dangerous principle II the
constitution authorizes that disposition OF your public
property, defy he viii OF 10 cay in what form OF
graiuity you may not give IT, You may throw out your
iargess amongst thepeope you may place ii in the pow
er OF the aspiran for political power, through his party
or ms Trends, 10 use 1t TO make graluity until you
bring the American people in condition in which the
Romans were when they looked to the government only
for two thingfor bread and the gain OF services state
OF things demoralzng and debauchmg TO the public mo.
rails While the measure presents itself in the attractive
guse OF charity nd for that class OF people who unfor
tunaiey, most need IL you setting precedent which
VIII unsette and uDhnge the very condition of irus, in
reference 10 the public domain.
or, desired only 10 express my opinion upon this
Dill SO That IT II be passed it may 90 upon record with
the OIL desire That whatever name may leave behind
me as statesman may not be IL any way coupled
nected with bill which constitutes the government an
almoner OF the States, this bill will do trun al.
though hardly hope that il may be the pleasure of the
Senate 10 REJECT the bill
Mr. WALKER Mr. President, when this bill was
before the Senate at former periods voted against H.
shall vote for il now and for the reason that the OBJ
lecions which heretofore entertained in regard TO The