The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-01-24
The DeCeat OF the HomcsteastB Bin.


It is with deep regret, we learn, that the.
Homestead bill has been defeated in Con-
gress, and that in all probability, no act OF
the kind can be passed duriug the present
session.
AT the last session, there was majority Of
thirty-four 10 the House, in favor Of its pas
sage. But a change has come over them,
and within few weeks bill embodying the
same principles, has been defeated in the
House, by majority of tIoents-oae. Why
this change OF sentiment and votes in so
short time The solution is evident
Tbs Homestead bill made no distinction as
to birth, but gave to all native and naturali-
zed citizens. the same advantages, and p!a-
ced them upon perfect equality. 1t gave to
erery citizen who would go and endure the
hardships of frontier life, and cultivate the
wild lands OF the West, a Homestead. Its
object was to secure "homes for the home
less, and land for the landlsss," and in this
manner, cause the settlements and cultivation
of our broad and fertile territories, by q race
OF hardy and patriotic frcemen. But it has
been defeated simply because it permitted
naiuralized citizens TO enjoy its privileges
equally with the native bsrn--defeated
through the inAence Of the Know Nothing
party. And this is one of the first trumphs
/ of tbis Sncrnt nrtlnr
Thus, one Of the noblest, and most bene-
6cent measures ever conceived or advocated
by an American Statesman-a measure ar
IDENTIFY approved and desired by the great
mass of the people-a measure tending to
the strength Of our government and the pros
perily of cur citizens, is crushed in the bud,
through the influence and votes Of the Know
Nothing organization. This is one of the
first monuments of the despotc reign which
they seek to introduce. Let it be remem.
bered by the honest laboring poor man, that
the Homestead bill for the passage of which,
he has long and anxiousIy waited, has
been rotsd dolon by the members of this
so called "American Party And letthose
Members OF Congress who thus betrayed the
hopes and interests Of their constituency be
married..
By this course, They have wrOnged not for
eigners alone, but native born citizens BE-
carrying out their prejudiees, they have done
/ DarSrpal in iurv IN ayn-v roor hpt boooe+ ., - 4
industrious man in the country.who desires a
home and is willing to purchase title to it
by "the sweat Of his face"
But what valid objection can be urged a.
gainst permitting foreigners to enjoy the
privileges OF a Homestead law /! We can
see none. Many of them, are without the
means of purchasing farms, but they are will
ling and anxious to labor in any honest call
ing. They cultivate our soil and increase
its value; they add to the wealth of our COM
merce, they build our canals, level the earth
; for our railroads, and in short, engage with
earnestness and success in every useful occu-
patton known in the country. Their inter-
ests ara here--they have embarked their for
tunes in the same ship with ourselves, and
they are willing to labor for our prosperity,
and she'd their blood in defense of our in
stitutions and government. Why then should
we cast them off, and bid them return to the
land Of despotism and crime from whence
they have fled Is it not our boast that this
is the land Of equal rights, "and has not God
made OF one blood all nations 2
Our territory is extensve,and our resources
are almost immeasurable. Let us welcome,
then, to our shores, the oppressed and down
trodden Of other lands. Let US receive and
treat them, as we would wish to be received
. and treated were we like them the subjects of
despotism, and pning for home and Il coun-
try, where intelligent repubIicanism bears
sway, and where freedom is granted, for bet
ter and fuller accomplishment of our true des-
tiny. Let US edo to others as we would have
others do TO us"