Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-02-25


own country and Of other countries and take pos
session. each man. Of hundred and sixty Of your
public domain, without msney and without price. In the
fulness OF your beraty 10 all other Claims you
asked to bestow this comparatively small pttance for the
relief OF those who only destitute but are
tally and physically unable avail themselves Of your
proffered boon upon that condOn-who have not the
ability to 60 and personally occupy your lands The only
mode in which they be benefited by the bounty of the
Government through its public lands in the manner
proposed by this bill Why shall we hesitate 10 pass ity
Humanity public policy, and impartial justice alike de-
mand the adoption Of the measure. Pass the BILL and
the sentiment of the country will respond as one Of
the most just and benefcent acts of your legislation.
Pass this BILL and it viii accomplish more substantial
and lasting good it will alleviate suffering and
yes sir will lumine, with the rays of hope
dark and desoate places of anguish and despair
than equal appropriation of your public lands in any
other manner or for any other purpose.
1t is no argument against this proposition to tell
is the duty and the proper business Of the States
provide for and to take of their INDECENT insane
We do not propose take from them that duty but the
rather to encourage and aid them in the discharge of it
And with the multiplied examples and precedents before
1t is quite too late to make serious question Of the
power Of Congress to grant such aid IfCongress may
give lands to the States to aid them in building roads,
and canals and railways; to support schools, and
DENIES and colleges to improve streets and alleys, and
river banks in particular localities if it may give sites
for houses and churches and cemeteries par
ticular towns counties, parishes if it may grant
annuitie and pensions and bounty lands to particular
individuals classes of indivduasthe very terms Of
|
contract obligations; if it may give money and employ
its ships to furnish provisions the sufferers from earth
quake or from fire or famine in foreign lands well
in if it may give lands for the benefit of local
asylums in Connecticut Kentucky; if ii may give
lands you propose to do to all the destitute among
who are vigorous and robust enough to and take
possession of and occupy them If may do all this,
why, in the name Of common justice and Of common hui
mainly may grant lands in equitable proportions
to all the States embracing the well the Old
to aid them in making suitable provisions for the proper
OF dofo ur
beings who in helpless and deplorable condi
ton than any other class upon whom your bounty has
ever been bestowed? II
If it be said that Government receives consideration
for these hind grants in the enhanced value Of its remain
ing lands by the increased settlements and improvements
the argument applies with equal force in the
lou are furnishing another means an additional agency
to encourage and promote settlements and thereby to
create increased demand and give greater value
and more ready sale for your other lands The exercise
OF the power claimed in this within the rule
Of the most strict construction that the Federal Govern
men as the trustee of the public lands may dispose Of
them only in such proprietor would do the
exercise of a sound discretion.
Mr.. President If may be allowed to express the opi-
non this is the only which is likely to command
favorable action of Congress by which the old States
will receive directly any share benefit from the public
domain which is the property of all the States
am not complaining of injustice to the non-andhoding
States; but, with the records of it's acts before me-
feel authorized to that Congress has dealt literally
the least with the land States in the way grants
to them. The grants to the States and Territories
for various purposes amounted in the aggregate on the
Both of June last to fraction short of one hundred and
thirty millions Of acres i hope the policy Of the Gov
eminent will always be characterized by spirit Of ibe
rality towards Them but at the time that win
not be forgeu of proper regard to what is just and
due to the old States Of this Union
Now when the States are asking the votes of the
representatives of the old States for grants of other mil
lions of acres of this domain to aid them in the
construction OF various lines of railroad and for other
purposes is it vain unreasonable expectation on our
he npw State will
characterize their action by spirit of justice and be
ray in cheerfuy according the small portion OF
this common fund which called for by the provisions Of
this bill for object commendable and worthy and
in which they themselves to enjoy equal parci
patton They who ask justice must do justice" is
maxim of policy as well morality in legislation
am not prepared to believe that honorable Senators from
the States will assume the position Of demanding ALI
for themselves and denying every thing u.s. gives
me pleasure, indeed to bear my testimony to the very
kindly and generous disposition of those Senators from
the new States upon the Committee on Public Lands to-
wards this benefcent measure.
Mr.. President if it needfu if it were possiblo
to invest the proposition before with any additional
interest aside from its intrinsic merit is found in the
consideration of its origin 1t comes commended to our
attention and regard in the memorial of an accom-
pished and gifted lady the prime and energy of whose
years have been devoted to the study and ameoraon or
the condition of this most unfortunate and neglected class
OF people. She has visited in person nearly every State
in this Union and made herself acquainted with the
dton and personal history of more than twenty thou
sand of this class of persons most Of whom were found
in amentable state of restitution and neglect Fitted
by endowments have attained popular eminence
and applause in the higher and inviting departments
OF life; to have moved among the attractive and
admired scenes Of its proudest and gayest circles her
days and years and ample private fortune have
expended in seeking out and alternating the condition Of
those whom the world beside had forsaken With the
vigilance and devotion of patron saint she has sought
out the stricken maniac in als and in houses
private cells in garrets and in dark dens often rags
and in chains and administered to their physical wants.
and poured the accents of inspiring hope consolation
into their dark and troubled spirit. Like angel OF
ysitaonsby day and by have been among
the abodes where poverty and Indebtedness wild de-
lirium dwell This, sir, is but feeble tribute to the
purity and dsinerestedness of motive to the excellence
and energy purpose to the moral heroism and true
by Of character of her whose prayer is before you
her memorial for the aid of the behalf OF
suffering humanity. Look at the picture which that
mortal presents; look at your abundant means at
what you have done and daily doing for Others them
let those who can reject the prayer of that petition.
word or two now Mr. President in reference to the
amendment offered by the Senator from Indiana fNfr
PETTT which proposes limit the appropriation ex
cusivey to the States in which the public lands lie The
proposed amen lment is incompatible with the main OBJ
ject OF the BILL and inconsistent with all its provisions
1t is an adversary proposition and such il may be-
considered as coming within the parliamentary rules OF
legitimate opposition to the BILL with view to defeat is
passage Ii the Senate agree to the amendment il de-
feats the b If they reject it. the may be taken as
indication Of the judgment Of the Senate in favor Of
the bill am quite willing, therefore that the issue
she ud be made upon the proposed amendment and that
the fate of the bill be tested by that vote.
The time having arrived for taking the special order
mn finn The firth AZ