Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-06-30

ton which will be the consequence of his
retention in office.
MI. Stua1ts Consistency.
We are at liberty to criticise Alexander
Hugh Holmes Stusrts publicly expressed
political opinions. OF course we will not
be considered as transcending our legit-
mate province, in SO doug. We would not
willingly drag him from his "retirement,"
and expose him to the process of bandit.
cation so peculiarly the fortune OF political
aspirants. But Mr.. Stuar; has been nom
mated for the Presidency (Of course, il
elected, the editor Of the True American
will be appointed consul to Tunis" D.
He has permitted his name to be placed,
or rather placed it himself, before the pub
lie as scramber for political station and
power. He saw fit 10 descend from his
exalted position as the retired statesman
to the level Of the politician, and enter the
political arena as the especial champion OF
the nationality of Know No,hings genet
ally and Governor Gardner III PARTICULAR
In that memorable 9Th day Of May speech
THAT commitment speeeh-that speech
which broke the spell of Mr.. Stuatt's si-
lence--that speech of prophetic visions,
which placed him, in Imagination snugly
in the shoes Of James Mason--tbat fatal
speech which caused to be placed above
his mortal remains in the hospital Of con-
sumptive politicians. the ominous inscrip-
ton, "Hic jaces,'' &c.-in that speech Mr..
Stuart pronounced the Homestead Bill, the
"infamous Homestead Bill" Yes, gentle
reader, on, distinguished townsman, IN ell
oquent and thrilling terms. portrayed the
abomination Of that abominabIe abomina-
ton. II was an Infamous" abomination.
1t bad no redceming features in it, but stood
out in bold relief with the brand Of infamy
upon it OF course. any nan who advo-
Gated the principle O. that Bill. or failed to
array himself in open. active hostility 10 it
when it come in his way. must Of necessi-
ty have colluded with intamy. We do not
intend to charge upon Mr.. Stuart the gull,
Of doing an infamous act but we will state
few factsand then leave it to himself, and
the candid reader to decide whether or not
Mr.. Stuart has not tacitIy supported that
which he, ofhis own free WILL denounced
as ''iDfamous Mr.. Stuart was member
Of Willard FiIlmore's Cabinet. He was
Secretary ofthe Interior. His office brought
him in contact with, or rather placed I'm.
der his control and supervision, all ques-
lions pertaining 10 the public lands. He
was one Of Mr.. Fillmore's advisers, and Of
course endorsed what Mr.. Fillmore did,
We are sure Nj. Stuart aud Mr.. Fillmore
cordially agreed upon every act which
Mr.. Fil!more's signature made Law. -
This Mr.. Stuart will not deny, we pre-
sumo. Because he has represented Mr..
Fillmore as a model statesman, between
whom and himself there was never dis
cordant sentiment, in their official associa.
ton. Then to the facts.
On the 9th of September. 1850, an act
was passed by Congress. providing for
making surveys and donations Of public
lands in Oregon. That act had respect to
two classes OF settlers. II granted to the
first class OF actual settlers Of public lands
there, who were such prior to the LIST De-
cember 1850, donation Of the quantity of
a half section, or 800 acres, il single man;
and if married, the quantity Of an entire
section, or $40 acres, one. half TO the hus.
band and the other 10 the wife, in her
own right; and 10 the second class, who
were or might become settlers between the
LIST December, 1850 and the 1st Deem
Der, 1853. It granted the quantity of a
quarter section. 100 acres, TO a single man;
aid il married, the quantity Of half Sec
ton, or 800 acres one-half TO Ihe husband
aud the other to the wife, in her own
right.
This act embl acing as it does, the most
extravagant homestead feature, and fully
endorsing the principle Of the Homestead
Bill, became law by the signature OF
Millard Fillmore, as President Of the
United States, with the concurrence, most
unquestionably, of Alex. II. H. Stuart,
Secretary of the Interior, Under Mr.. Fill
more! Yet MIR. Stuart denounced the
Homestead Bill. in his speech in tins place
on the 5,h of May, as an Infamous Bill"
Truly, consistency is jewel" We find
Mr.. Stuart. in 1855, in a Courthouse
speech, congratulatng his fellow ,citizens
upon the formation oil fusion party. and
denouncing the very principle as Infamous
that he endorsed in 1850, as one of the
settled aud fixed laws of the land!
County Court.
7,Ln rnuotv Courf ~, Aoudo,. lot o1oc.