The Nevada Democrat., 1858-07-28
The Homestend RllI.


The following sketch of the speech of Sena-
tor johnson, of Tennessee on the Homestead
Bill, is copied from the National Lnttlligenesr
The bill, which we are sorry to say vas defeat
ed, proposed to give to every head of family
in the United States one hundred and sixty
acres Of land on the condition of occupying and
cultivating the'same for q term of five years.
That Mr.. johnson is true Democrat, no better
evidence is needed than that he does not en-
dorsc the anti-Democratc doctrines advanced
by Senators Hammond and Clay.
Mr.. johnson, in enforcing the advantages OF
the bill, commenced by defending 1t from the
imputation of being prejudicial to Southern in-
terests. 1t was not an adjunct OF the Emlgrant
Aid Society, but great measure OF benencent
legislation for the good of the American peo-
ple. without regard 10 sections. MOI did 1t pro-
pose 10 squauder the public lands, as had been
charged, but to give them to actual settlers In
| consideration OF services rendered to the c0ul-
munity in retaining the wilderness and sub
dueing the earth. The policy was not new or
unsupported. Moses had enunciated its priHci-
pies in his Hebrew economy; VaItel had sane
! toned il in his Commentaries on public law,
and President Jackson had advocated 1t In his
message TO Congress. 1t was charged with be-
ing a demagogical proposition. lfs0, then the
Congress of 1871, In giving lands to certain
settlers. aud Washington in signing the bill
passed at that date, had early begun to practise
the demagogue's arts.
Running through the legislation ofthe coun-
try, Mr.. johnson found more than forty prece-
dents to justify the fundamental principles OF
the pending bill. Such disposition OF the pub
| lie domain would in reality enhance the value
of the unoccuped PORTIONS, and hasten its ca
pacity for sustaining and nurturng great and
powerful people. Nor would it diminish the
revenues of the country. On the contrary, by
bettering the condition VI the laborer, and thus
enabling him to consume greater amount OF
foreign importations, it would add largely to
an annual revenue from imposts.
But the financial results of the measure did
not afford the most favorable light in which it
could be viewed. 1t also tended to raise man
socially and politically socially by melisrating
his material condition, and politically by CIV
ing him q stake in the welfare and stability OF
the country. He desired to build up great
middle clas, of the eope, and 10 do away at
once with our aristocracy on the one hand or q
rabble on the other. The public lands had
been lavished on States and corporations. He
thought it was now high time to place them
within the reach of all tue people. AT the pres
ent rate of dispensing them it would require
more than six hundred years to I'LL up and oe-
cuDy our DuUllC QOU1hlu IL " uO c"iN 'n"e hpip
measure, by Offering boon to emigration,
would tend to depopulate the Southern States.
il was only on the suppostion that the laborer
could better his condition by q change OF loea-
tisn; and who would object to policy which
promised this beneficial result to tie individual
man? Wherever found the laborer would still
be q loyal citizen OF the same Republic.
Mr.. johnson then proceeded to critcise GER
tain portions Of the speech delivered by MT
Q Ii ha X nueatiOu. in
which that Senator had treated OF property and
its protection as the main object Of Govern
ment, and had regretted the growing tendency
towards an undue development OF the demo-
cratic element in the institutions OF the United
States II property Was main object OF Gov
ernment, Mr.. johnson held that it would be in
accordance with that Senator'S view to offer to
every head Of family. who would enter upon
it. portion Of the public land.
After speaking in defence of Democracy as
the highest form of society and government,
Mr.. j. proceeded to review certain statements
made by Mr.. Hammond, OF South Carolina, du-
ring the Kansas debate. He dissented from so
much Of that Senator's language as seemed to
imply that men who labored with their hands
and for a stipulated price were therefore slaves.
Socrates and Archimedes and Paul each wrought
with their hands. Were they to be called
"slayes" Such statements and such doctrines
cuated to do infinite mischief in the South,
where the number of Shareholders was small In
comparison with the free white and nonslave-
holding population. Though it was true that
the number OF Shareholders did not represent
all who were directly interested in the main
tenance of slavery, it was also true that such
nvidious comments on manual laber tended to
engender opposition to slavery itself. If ex-
treme men in the North and extreme men in the
II = III 4. h. T.f frRt-
tating and insulting language, he thought the
peace and harmony Of the country would soon
be restored, while the people would be left free
to see that the interest of the whole community
was promoted by slave labor He did not
doubt that the North would in the end perceive
this great truth.
Mr.. closed his remarks by invoking for the
impending measure the favorable consideration
Of the Senate.