The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-09-14
Hamlin,s Votes and Speeches against
the Homestead Bill.

SAAS AAVAAASssCoSS ~~AAAs
The Republican papers Of this State are
troubled by the production of HAML1N's
record on the Homestead bill. The Times
says he was not Republican, in 1854,
when he made speech, and voted against
the bill, but Democrat! Well, what does
that prove? DOUGLAS, SHIELDS, DODGE,
CAss, JOHNSON, WALKER, RUsK, and other
Democratic Senators voted for the bill.
The Homestead measure was never party
question, and HAML1N in voting against it,
merely gave expression to his individual
sentiments and not to the doctrines of the
DEMOCRATIC party. His speech against the
bill shows that. On the 10th of July, 1854,
he said:
Mr.. President, from an examination of this
measure (the Homestead billy have found my
self unable to support it in ANY OF THE AS
PECTS in schich has been presented to the SEN
ate! see no .ound principle Of economy upon
,chich such q measure can be based! THINK
THERE Is NONE-AT LEAST THERE is
NONE WHICH CARRIES CONVICTION TO
MY MINDM! l am willing to vote upon this
any quarter. 1 am willing to vote AGAINST
THIS BILL as it now stands!
Here there was no question of Democracy
or Republicanism. "From an examination
"of this measure" says Mr.. HAML1N, 81
have found myself unable to support it in
.any of the aspects in which it has been
"presented to the Senate" He could see
"no sound principle of economy upon which
such a measure can be based" He was
willing to vote against the bill as itstands.'
These are facts to which we direct the
attention of the Republican press. We
challenge denial of them.
Again: HAxL1N, on the 18th of July,
1854, voted with BENJAMIN, BUTLER, of
South Carolina, CLAY, HUNTER, MASON, and
other Southern extremists, to strike from
the Homestead bill under consideration, the
section which gave to foreigners, who had
declared their intention to become citizens
OF the United States, the rights guaranteed
to native born citizens. The effect of this
vote was to exclude foreign born residents
of the United States from the benefits OF a
Homestead law, until they had been five
years in the country, and completed their
citizenship. Why does not this vote excite
your indignation, Messrs. Republican edi.
tors and stumpers.
On the 9th of May, 1858, HAnL1N voted
in favor of CL1NaMANs motion to postpone
the homestead bill of that session over until
the next session, Notwithstanding Senator
SEWARD warned the friends of the bill that
postponement was equivalent to defeat!
On the 10th of May, 1860, HAML1N voted
with seuen other Senators AGAINST the
Senate homestead bill, sohioh gaze settlers
the public lands at Twenty-Five cents an acre !;
and also gare to all settlers t,oo gears from
the passage of the bill to pay for their CLAIMS :
He voted against the bill which you con-
denim BUCHANAN for vetoing! He voted
against the bill, which had it become law,
would have relieved the settlers of Mime.
, sofa from the Inconvenience and disastrous
effects of the coming land sale.
Why do not the Times and Minnesotian,
instead of skulking behind BUCHANAN &C
ton, present to their readers the votes and
speeches of HANNIBAL HAML1N, as they
stand recorded upon the official journals OF
the Senate? They dare not do it
A New York Sunday paper asserts pos
itively that Heenan and Morrissey will fight
previous to the 9Th Of March, and probably
in January, for SIC, 900 side.