The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-12-23
,MsR11RG cor UnBIA COUNTY PA. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER

1 eress TO the recomE sndaiion OF The Secretary
Of The Navy in favor OF the constitution OF
ten small war steamers Of light draught.
For some years the Government has been
obliged on many occasions 10 hire such
steamers from individuals 10 supply lie press
! ing wants. A. The present moment We have
no armed vessel in the Navy which can pen-
elrale the rivers Of China. We hsve but few
which can enter any Of The harbors south OF
Norfolk, although many millions OF foreign
and domestic commerce annually pass IN
and out Of these hatbofs.
Some of our most valuable interests and
most vulnerable points are thus left exposed
This class of vessels of fight drausht, great
speed. and heavy guns wonld be formidable
| in the coast defence. The cost Of lbeir con-
slruc,ion will cot be great aud they will re.
qure bu, comparatively small expenditure
TO keep Them in commission. In time OF
peace they will prove as effective as much
lsrger vessels, and often more useful.
! One OF Them shonld be a, every station
where We maintain squadron, and thres or
four should bs constantly employed on orf
Atlantic and Pacific coasts Economy, utility
and efficiency combine to recommend them
as almost indispensable, Ten Of these small
vessels would be OF lncalcuiable advantage 10
the naval service, and the whole cost Of their
construction would not exceed two million
three hundred thousand dollars, or 23o, 900
each. tet
The report of The Secretary Of the Interior
is worthy Of grave consideration. 1t treats
| OF ihe numerous important and diversified
branches OF domestic administration in,rust-
ed 10 him by law. Among these the most
prominent are the public lands and our rela-
lions with the Indians.
Oar 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 10
The growth and settlement of our western
States and Territories. II has worked well
in practice. Already thirteen States and sew
en- Territories have been carved ou, Of these
I lands, and still more than thousand mil
lions of acres remain unsolJ. What la bound
less prospect thus presents TO our country OF
future prosperity and power!
We have heretofore disposed of s63 ,3e2,-
46l acres of the public lands.
Whilst 'tbe public lands as a source OF
revenue are Of great importance, their i'm
porlance is far greater as furnishing homes
for hardy and independent race ofhonesl
and industrious citizens, who desire to sub
due and cultivate the soil. They ought to
be administered mainly with a view Of pro.
noting this wise and benevolent policy. In
appropriaiing 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 10 the public trea-
sury
To squander away this richest and noblest
inheritance which any people have ever en-
joyed upon objects of doubtful constitution
aIity and spedisncy, would be 10 violate one
of The most important trusts ever committed
to any people. Whilst do not deny to
Congress the power, when acting bona 6de
as proprietor, to give away portions of them
for The purpose Of increasing the value Of the
remainder, yet, considering the great temp
taiiou TO abuse This po yer, we cannot be too
cautious in it's exercise. s5 ...s-
Actual settlers under existing laws are pro,
lecied against other purchasers al the public
sales, in their right of pre-emptioE, TO The ex-
tent of quarler-ssclion, or a l60 acres of
land. Ths remainder may Then be disposed
of al public or entered a, private sale in un-
United quantities.
Speculation has of late years prevailed to
a great extent in 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 TO those who desire 10 purchase
for actual settlement. In order to limit the
area of specnlations as much as possible, the
extinction Of the Indian title and the exteh.
lion Of the public surveys ough, only to keep
pace with the ude of emigration.
II Congress should hereafter grant alternate
sections TO 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 TO
reserve the public lands as much as may be
for actual settlers, and this at moderate prices
We shall thus not only best promote the
prosperity Of the new State and Territories,
and the power of the Union, but shall secure
homes for our poserity for many generations.
The extension of opr limhs has brought
within our iurisdc,Ion many additional and
populous Tribes Of indians, large portion
of which are wild, unraclable, and difficult
to control. Predatory and wsrlike in their
disposition and habits, il is impossible alto
gether 10 restrain from committing aggrea.
sions on each other, as well as upon our from.
tier citizens and those emigratiug 10 onr dis
liant States and Territories. Hence expsn.
siye military expeditions are frequently me-
| cessary TO oserawe and chastise The more.
iawless and hostile. -.
The presentsystam Of making them valu-i
able presents 10 influence them 10 remain a,
peace has proved Intellectual. Ills believed
10 be the better policy 10 coIonize them in
suitable looahlies, where they can rsceive
| the rudimenis Of education and be gradually
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