The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-09-09
The Hypocrisy of Ramsey,

Gov. RAMSEY, in his tour throughout
Minnesota, during the present canvass, finds
it remarkably easy, and very cheap, to pro-
TESS an attachment to the interests of the
Frontier settlers. When the citizens of
Minnesota, by their votes, can advance the
political prospects of RAMSEY, he is for "free
homes for the homeless" No one can out
vie him in smooth professions of friendship
for the settler; and to hear his carefully
prepared speeches, one would think their
interests had been his constant study
throughout life, and that his utterances in
this canvass, were the result of deep convic.
tions and of years of careful thought and
research.
But how was it when ALEXANDER RAM
sEY was in Congress, from Pennsylvania, and
by his votes, could have aided in the pas
sage of law of the utmost Importance to
the people of the west. Did be then act
out his present professions )? Was be then
an advocate of free homes, or cheap homes
even, for the homeless? We look in vain
throughout his Congressional career for one
vote or one sentiment, expressive of the
generous sympathy he now processes for the
hardy pioneer. But, on the contrary, we
find that in a measure Of vital Importance to
the west-one that affected the welfare of
every settler on the public lands-ALExAN-
DER RAMSEY roted against the direct interests
Of the class whoss sufrages he noa0 seeks, on
the ground of being their peculiar friend.
We find by reference to the Congress
sional Globe, for the 29th Congress, session
of lS45-46, that in pursuance of the re-
commentator of Gen. SHIELDS, who was
then Commissioner of the General Land
Office, Mr.. M'CLERNAND from the Com
mittee on Public Lands, reported bill re-
ducing the price of public lands. This bill
was supported as Western measure, by
Western statesmen. In the House of Rep
resentative, it had the friendship of such
men as ADDREw JOHNSON, of Tennessee, the
author of the Homestead Bill STRPHEN
A. DOUGLAS, JOHN WENTWORTH, ROBERT
SMITH, of Illinois Ex-Secretary M'CLEL-
LAND, of Michigan; BowLIN, of Missouri,
and others, noted as warm and devoted
friends of the West.
From the various speeches made on this
bill, while pending in the House, we make
few extracts. Mr.. BowLIN, of Missouri,
in the course of his lengthy and eloquent
speech, said:
1T is the tendency of this bill to foster and
encourage emigration and settlement in the new
States, and consequently their growing wealth
and prosperity. Is it the policy of the govern
ment to keep obstacles in the way of their ad
vancement? Is it just to retard them in their
onward march to greatness and glory? We
ask no special privileges-we ask to be ex-
empt from no general burdens-we ask no spe-
cial favors to aid as in our march; we only ask
you leave our action free; and the enterprise,
energy and industry of the same people who
subdue forests in their march, and make the
wilderness to yield abundant harvests, will
make the country prosper. The rich soil, the
magnificent rivers, the mild and genial climate
of the great West, all contribute to invite emil
grafton amongst US. and that policy would be
suicidal that would obstruct or retard it. The
West needs population to develop its great re-
sources; and it will be one of the blessings of