Nebraska advertiser., 1858-08-05
G. W. BRATTON, rn
I'D. y. THOMPSON
What shall the Settlers do?

We see it stated in a circular recently
issued from the District Land Office for
this District, that more than 1900 claims
are already filed upon for lands to be en-
tered by pre-emption. The public sale Of
these lands, according to advertisements,
is to commence on the 9th day of Septem-
Der, and all lands not entered previous to
that time, must be offered at public sale.
At least one-half of these lands, yes,
more than one-half, must come to sale ac-
cording to instruction, according to the law
and advertisements; because, if the Land
office permitted 40 entries per day, the
work could not be done in the required
time. Then what shall the settlers do !
They have urgently appealed by petition
to the Government to withhold these lands
from market; but their petitions have
failed, utterly failed to produce any effect.
They have appealed because Of the pres
sure in money matterS-because Of the
suffering it must produce among the poor
er class of immigrants who are not able
to pay for their lands. They have appeal
ed because they believe that no greater
evil could befall the Territory, than to
have the lands offered 50 early at public
sale, especially at a time when money IS
so scarce, and now they are necessitated
to appeal because sufficient time has not
been given for the settlers TO enter their
lands, even if the money was tangible
They wish to abide by the law, and ex-
pect to be protected by it, but as the Gov
eminent has Stalled as yet 10 hear their
grievances, and neglected to do anything
for them, they make this last appeal 10
have the lands withdrawn from market in
the Nemaha District, for tie reasonsabove
stated. We regret deeply this state Of
thing. While u sympathy will not allow
rs to see the settlers land taken from them
uniustlv. We do not like to oppose the
laws of the country, nor do we like to dc
anything to prevent their execution; we
feel al all times disposed to exhort the
people "to be subject nto the powers thai
be-" But what shall they do? shall thell
lands be taken from them (the settlers)
and be sold to the Spectator, there to re-
main for vears without being cultivated
or without any Improvements being made
to benefit the country? We cannot believe
that his Excellency, the President of the
United States, James Buchanan, would
knowingly infict such a grievance upor
the people-the hardy pioneer IN this new
and prosperous country, if he was only
made fully acquainted with the facts a:
thew really exist. But what shall the PEG
pie do? 1t is high time that they were
looking out for some means whereby they
will be protected: their lands must not b,
sold from under them to distant speCula
tors-no! their rights must be protected
and the only question is, how shall this b.
done? to offer payment will not satisfy
the time is too short-it Will not do t
longer be idle waiting for the Govern
ment.
What then can be done? 1t seems t
US that the only remedy now at hand is t
meet and form associations for mutua
protection, and thus to withhold the land
settled upon from market, until the settle
can have an opportunity to enter them b.
presumption.
We would here suggest that meeting
be held at as early a day as possible t
take these matters into consideration, an
10 devise some means whereby the settle
shall be protected in his most sacre,
rights.-Rmo Guide.
That's the question! "What shall III
settlers do z" Every effort has been mad
to induce a Withholding of the publ
lands from sales, especially in this Dis
trict, and thus far without effect. Wha
can the people do? Land agents sa
there IS not warrants il the market eve
to meet the demand, and we all know tn
money is not. What are those whose a
is al stake then to do! What riH the ma
do who has spent his last cent to rende
! his family only half comfortable, and VII
has toiled the life nearly out of him
order to get in a small crop upon whic
they may subsist another year, Their