The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-12-23
IMpIA COUNTY PA WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER %, 1857.

of the Navy in favor oi the constitution oil
len small war steamers of light draogh,
For some years tho Government has been
obliged on many occasions 10 hire such
steamers from individuals 10 supply lis press
ing wants. A! The presen, moment we have
no armed vessel in The Navy which can pen
citrate the rivers of China. We have but few
which can enter any Of The harbors south OF
Norfolk, although many millions ot iorelsn
and domestic commerce annually pass IN
and out of these harbors.
Some of our most valuable interests and
most vulnerable points are thus lett exposed
Tlvis class OF vessels OF light drsusht, great
speed. and heavy guns would be formidable
in The coast defence. The cost ot their con-
siruclion will lot be great aud ,hey vii! re.
quire but comparatively small expenditure
TO keep them in commission. In time o
peace they will prove as effective as much
larger vessels, aud of,en more useful.
One Of then, should be al every station
where we maintain squadron, aud three or
four should be constantly employed on oiI
Atlantic and Pacific coasts Economy, utility
and efficiency combine 10 recommend them
as almost Indispensable, Ten ol these small
vessels would be OF mcalculable advantage to
the naval service, and the whole cost OF their
construction would not exceed two million
three hundred thousand dollars, or $4,000
each.
The repor, Of The Secretary oi The Interior
is worthy Of grave consideration. 1t treats
of the numerous important aud diversified
branches OF domestic administration inIrust'
cd 10 him by law. Among these The most
prominent are the public lands aud our rela-
lions with the Indians.
Onr system for the disposal Of The public
lands, originating with The fathers Of the re.
public, has been improved as experience
pointed The way, and gradually adapted to
the growth and settlement OF our western
States and Territories. II has worked well
in practice. Already thirteen States and sey.
en- Territories have been carved out of these
lands, aud still more than thousand mil
lions Of acres remain unsold. What a bound
less prospect thus presents 10 our country OF
future prosperity and power
We have heretofore disposed Of 363 ,3e2,-
46i acres of the public lands.
Whilst the public lands as a source Of
revenue are OF great importance, their i'm =
ponauce is far greater as furnishing homes
for hardy and independent race othonesl
and industrious citizens, who desire to sub
due and cultivate the soil. They ought TO
, be administered mainly with view OF pro
moling This wise and benevolent policy In
approprIaling them for any other purpose,
we ought TO use even greater economy than
if they had been Converted into money and
the proceeds were already in the public trea-
sury
To squander away this richest and noblest
INHERITANCE which any people have ever en-
joyed upon objects Of doubtful constitution.
aIny and spediency, would he 10 violate one
of the most important tnss ever committed
10 any people. Whist do not deny to
Congress The power, when acting bona lide
as proprietor, TO give away portions OF them
for lie purpose of increasing The value oil the
remainder, yet, considering the great temp
talion 10 abuse This poger, we cannot be too
caulous in lis exercise.
Actual settlers under existing laws are pro-
tecied against Other purchasers at the public
sales in their right Of pre.empior, TO the ex-
tent of a guaHer-ssclion, or l60 acres ui
land. The remainder may then be disposed
! of al public or entered al private sale i'll un-
United quantities.
! Speculation has of Iale years prevailed 10
! great extent 10 the public lands. The con-
sequence has been that large portions of them
! have become the properly of individuals and
companies, and thus The price has greatly
/ enchanced 10 those who desire to purchase
| for actual settlement. In order 10 limit the
area OF sreculalions as much as possible, the
J extinction OF the Indian title and the exlen
tion Of the public surveys ought only to keep
pace with the llde of emigration.
II Congress should hereafter grant alternate
sections 10 States or Companies, as they
have done heretofore, recommend that the
intermediate sections retained by the Gov
eminent should be subject 10 pre-empIion BY
actual settlers.
1t ought ever 10 be our cardinal policy 10
reserve the public lands as much as may be
for actual settlers, aud this at moderate prices
We shall thus not only best prom ole the
prosperity oi the new State and Territories,
and the power OF the Union, but shall secure
homes for our posleriry for many generations.
Tho extension of our limits has brought
within our jurisdiction many additional and
populous tribes of Indians, large portion
of which are wild, unrac,able, and difficult
10 conIro. Predatory and warlike in their
disposition and habits, ii is impossible alto
gelher TO restrain from committing aggres.
sions on each other, as well as upon our from
Tier citizens and those emisraling 10 our dis
tant States and Territories. Hence expsn-
sive military expeditions are frequently ne.
cessary TO overawe and chastise The more
lswless and hostile.
The present system Of making them valu-
able presents 10 influence them 10 remain at
Da,oa hoe o,nv al in o Hactuat In ia halievpd