The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-06-08
REMARKS OF HON. DAVID S. REID,
OF NORTH CAROLINA,

subject at length; buC, SIT, III uoeo Heeh " lle
that the proposition of this BILL in our country to
say the least Of it, is a monstrous one. What is
the nronosition 1t is to give one hundred and
sixty acres of public land to every head OF family
who NAV settle upon them for the term OF nVe
years, whether he be rich or poor. The argu-
ment then, is not to give it alone TO the needy,
but the wealthy man in the country may avail
himself Of this BILL and obtain one hundred and
sixty acres of public land. 1t is maintained that
by giving the alternate quarter sections you add
vance the value Of those remaining to the Govern
mcnt; and that thereby the Federal Treasury
loses nothing How stands the fact! This bill
does not raise the price Of the remaining quarter
sections; but they will remain to be entered and
sold according to the present price, and thus the
Government must lose one half of the land, at
least. Mark you sir the provisions OF this BILL
L understand it, are not limited to any particular
period of time 1t has relation to all time to come
When those who have no land now shall go and
avail themselves Of it, their children may do so
too. Neither DO the provisions of this bill confne
the selections of the alternate quarter sections; for
it says that shall be done ''as far practicable"
When alternate quarter sections are all taken up
it will he practicable, and consequently the re-
manning sections will be taken. That is the fact
as will be seen by reading the bill So it will, in
effect, be the giving away Of the entire public
domain.
The argument of some Senators seems to be
that the public lands possess no value. | main
tain that anything has value which it will bring
in the market. If the public lands worth
nothing, it is bad policy i'll this Government to be
cxpending hundreds of millions Of dollars III their
acquisition, and hundreds of millions of dollars
in the survey and other expenses which attend
the land system 1t is true, the public lands have
not commanded high price; and wherefore! For
the reason that this Government has always
forced into market more lands than the demands
of the country required. We are growing coun
try; let us not dispose Of the public lands rap
idly | am in favor Of Il liberal system i'll regard
to the pioneers who 90 into the territories,
and think the Government has been liberal to-
wards the settler. | think the Government should
be liberal. But the public lands have been ac-
CURED by the treasure Of the whole country; and
make this appropriation. 1t is an appropriation
of land it is true, but that land is worth money.
do not know OF any peace measure on the face OF
the earth which my friend from Tennessee would
vote for that appropriated Il similar amount OF
the public money; and this is not equal distribu-
ton, but partial one, giving to persons who
desire to avail themselves of particular opIortuni-
tics that may be offered to them by the Govern
ment
| am willing that the young men or the old men
from the older States of the Union may emigrate
to the West, or anywhere else where they think
they can better their fortunes but it is not justice
to the old States of this Union to hold out induce
ments, brides, to entice their population to the
newer ones. They possess sufficient advantages
already; they have the most fertile lands upon
the face of the earh that may be bought for 81 20
acre. These great inducements, giving
those States decided advantages over the older
ones. Here you propose to give land to every
man who will settle III the new States. | say it
is not only to give it to those persons who may
avail themselves of it, but it is to give it for
all time. What is the effect?
If it is desired, in this country that the Federal
Government should provide tract Of public land
for every man, you must 20 further and Introduce
the teudal system, because he may not occupy it
after he has acquired it, After you have
provided him home, the tendency Of things will
be that you must perpetuate it to him and his sue
ccssors, or they might still be without tract of
land. The tendency Of things in this Government
is too much to look to this capital, the center, the
Federal Government. 1t is swallowing up too
much. We see thirst for office and for claims
upon the Federal Government; men desire to live
and feed upon this Government; and that ten
dency is increasing every day. If you take mil
lions and give them to the people Of the country
in uni ust and unequal distribution Of what be-
longs to the whole, giving to only part, do you
not increase this? If the public lands have no
value, then they are of no use to those who may
avail themselves in this act. If they have value
then what you give them is gratuity, voted from
the Federal Government without authority The
trainers of the Constitution never contemplated
that the Federal Government should furnish
home for tie people of the States of this Union.
Neither does it bring it within the purview of the
Constitution to change it from land to money,
because the lands have been acquired by money,
and have money value.
Mr. President, | think this bill ought not to
pass. In the whole history of my experience
here, l do not think have measure
of more dangerous tendency to the country than
this. If you vote homes to those who desire
them now, you must continue it as long the
Government lasts. If you give my neighbor a
home, if he desire it, perhaps | shall up
and ask for when | desire it, or say that You
have treated unustly. Let the system that
has been pursued in regard to the public lands be
contnued-not exactly the system, for | think the
old States have lost good deal under it; but under
the system proposed they to lose it all.
| have heretofore voted with much pleasure to give
public lands to those who have taken up arms in
defence of their country. | would do SO again. |
BY keeping the surplus domain which is not
needed YOU have an inducement for men, when
the rights Of their country involved, and it is
for them to take up arms, to fight for
the cause of their country. The Government has
expended money on those lands Let Us dispose
of them according to the wants of the Republic, |
and keep the reminder for the increase OF our