Wabash express., 1860-03-28

the noblest and the best. In the obscurit
of the cottage. far removed from the sedus
tive influence of rank aud affiuence, ar
nourished the virtues that counteract th
decay Of human institutions, the eourag
that defends the national independence
and the industry tbat supports all classe
Of The State.
1t was said by Lord Catham, in his ap
peal to the House of Com mons, in ITS, I
withdraw the British troops from Boston
that "trade. indeed, increases the glor,
and wealth Of country but its tru,
strength and stamina are to be looked 70
in the cultivators OF the laud. In the sim
plicity of their lives is found the simple
ness of virtue, the integrity and courage o
freedom. These true. genuine sous OF tn,
soil are invincible"
The history Of the American prowesi
has recorded these words as prophetic
Man, 10 defense of his hearthstone and FIRE
side, is sinviucible against a.world Of mer
cenaries.
Let as adopt!ths policy cherished by Jack
son, and indicated in his annual message
to Congress in 1892, in which he says:
at cannot be denied that the speedy set
Element of these lands constitutes the true
interest Of the Republic The wealth and
strength Of a country are its population
aud the best part of the population are the
cultivators Of the soil. Independent far
mers are everywhere the basis OF society
and true friends of liberty" etc
put an end forever to all partial and inter
ested legislation on this subject. and to af
ford TO every American citizen Of enter
prise the opportunity Of securing an indie
pendent freehold. it seems to me, there
tore, best to abandon the idea Of raising a
future revenue out of the public lands"
This advice by one of the country's no
blest patriots. though unheeded at the
time. is among the richest lesacies he has
ever be9ueathsd to his country.
Why should the Government hold the
public domain longer as source of reve-
nue., when it has already more thar paid
all cost aud expenses incurred in acquis-
tien and management Even if the Gov
ernment had right, based in the nature OF
things thus to hold these lands, it would
be adve Sc to sound national policy TO do
SO ; for the real wealth ofa country con
sists not in the sums of money paid into
the treasury, but in it's flocks herds. and
cultivated fields. Nor does it's real strength
consists in fleets and armies, but in the
bones and sinews of an independent yeo-
manry and the comfort Of its laboring
classes. Its real glory consists not in the
splendid palace, lofty spire or towering
dome; but in the intelligence, comfort and
happiness Of the firesides of its citizens.
The posterity ofthe State depends moi
on the mass OF wealth, but Its distribution
That country is greatest and most glorious
in which there is the greatest number Of
happy fresides. And if you would make
the fireside hapy, raise the fallen from theil
degradation, elevate the servile from theil
groveling pursuits to the rights aud digni-
ty of men, you must first place within theiI
reach the means for supplying their press
ing physical wants, so that religion car
exert its influence on the soul aud soothe
the weary pilgrim in his pathway to the
tomb.
What justice can there be 10 Legislation
Of country by which the earnings of its
labor are abstracted for any purpose with
out returning an equivalent But as &
question Of revenue, merely, it would be te
the advantage OF the Government TO gran
these lands in homesteads to actual cult
vators, if Thereby it was to induce the set
element Of the wilderness, instead OF sell
ing them to the speculator without settle
ment. The revenue to the Governmen
from the lands, il considered annual, is tn
interest the purchase money; which
would be on quarter section, at one dol
!
terest on two hundred dollars, equal. a
six per cent, TO twelve dollars per year.
But as the revenue of the General Gov
ernment with the exception of the sales o
lands) is derived almost wholly from du
ties on important articles consumed in III
country: the amount collected depends up
en- the quantity consumed. On an aver
age each individual consumes OF imp0rte'
articles about eleven dollars worth pc
year, (see statements Of Register Of th
Treasury. appended.) and calling seve
the average number of family, then eac
family consumes annually seventy.6v
dollars worth of imported articles, upo
which duty Of not less than twenty do
lars was paid
So the Government would be the game
Of eight dollars per year on each quartz
section, by giving it away to a settler
preference to selling it without settlemen
In addition. as you cheaper the necess
ries and comforts of life. or increase men
means 10 pay for them, you increase the
consumption; and in the same proportio
as you increase the means to pay for in
ports, you increase the consumption
: home products aud manufactures; so tn
the settlement of the wilderness by athri
ing population is as much the interest
the old States ss Of the new. The amou
nov received by the Government OF q
settler for the land, would enable him
e furnish himself with the necessary sto,
and implements 10 commence its cultiv
tion.
For the purposes of education, buildil
r railroads, opening all the avenues of trad
! and of subduing the wilderness, the b
disposition to be made of these lands is
grant them in limited quantities to t
i settler, and thus secure him in his earnin
y by which he would have the means to 81
; round himself with comfort and make
. fireside happy; 10 erect the school hou
9 the church, and all the other ornaments
. higher civilization, and rear his childr
= educated aud respected members OF secie
This policy will not only add to the r'
n enues OF the General Government and
% taxable property of the new States, but "