Nebraska advertiser., 1858-08-26
[For the AdvertIser.l
Voice from Buchanan.

Mr.. EDITOR:
AT this particular time it is consOllng,
and, l might say quite refreshing to the
settlers in Nebraska to know that their
Great Father III days gone past, ex-
pressed himself uncommonIy interested in
their welfare. Nothing has rested near
er the heart of any former President
than the growth and prosperity of the
Territories; and | feel, as many others,
grateful for the liberal provisions of the
Prescription Law, and for the noble ex-
pressions in our behalf flowing from the
pen of James Buchanan. Doubtless, his
love for the settler transcends all other
Ioves-and if it was in his power, don't
you think he would give US all homes on
the public domain "without money and
without price"-But listen to the voice of
the mighty statesman, whose name Will
be put in the memories of unborn mil
lions when you and have "gone the way
of all the earth:
"Our system for the disposal of the
public lands, originating with the fathers
of the republic, has been improved as
experience pointed the way, and gradu-
ally adapted to the growth and settlement
of our western States and Territories. 1t
has worked well in practice, and whilst
the public lands, as a source of revenue,
are of great importance, their Importance
is far greater in furnishing homes for a
hardy and independent race of honest
and Industrious citizens, who desire to
subdue and cultivate the soil. They
ought to be administered mainly with a
view of promoting this wise and benevoI-
emit policy.
Speculation has of late years prevail
ed to a great extent in the public lands.
The consequence has been that large por-
tions of them have become the property
of individuals and companies, and thus
the price is greatly enhanced to those
who desire to purchase for actual settle
ment. In order to limit the area of spe-
c"ulation as much as possible, the extinc-
ton of the Indian title and the extension
of the public surveys ought only to keep
pace with the tide of emigration. 1t
ought ever to be our cardinal policy to
reserve the public lands as much as posi-
bic for actual settlers, and this at moder-
ate rates. We shall thus not only best
promote the prosperity of the new States
and Territories, and the power of the
Union, but shall secure homes for our
posterity for many generations"
Now, is this not encouraging to new
Territories? and what an inducement to
undergo the tolls and inconveniencies in
cident to the pioneers life! We will
secure to ourselves and our children the
"richest and noblest inheritance which
any people have ever enjoyed" or likely
will ever enjoy. What a blessing to the
poor man, this ~magnanimous Prescription
Law! What a glorious decision it is,
where our lands-our hOmes-will be
protected at the land sales in September
next! And is it not a good thing, Mr..
Editor, that because we have filed upon a
tract of land, and fail to pre-empt it be-
fore the commencement of the sales, we
should lose forever our right of pre-emp-
ton?
Allow me, Mr.. Editor, in winding up
this hasty letter, to give three cheers for
James Buchanan, Mr.. Hendricks, and the
Presumption Law. You will remember
all three are the friends of the squatter.
LAND AGENT.