New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-04-06
Mr.. JOHNSON DEN, Tean.)-ws have.

MIR. JOHNSON DEN, Tenn We have.
Mr.. GREEe-Very well, then let them execute Il.
afr. JOHNSOE--Ws DO IL.
Mr.. GREEN-Thas is all very well wtsh your own
property and your own citizens hut outside OF Tennes
see in othe Satee, what business have You 70 make
homesteadl IRE public land is to be administered by
the General Government for the general beneht, to
pay the debts OF Government. And now we have men
getting up and proposiog to make homestead whom,
II they are lawyers sensible ether, they know
that the moment the title passes out from the United
States he cannot hold it. If the Safe does not wish
TO exempt 1t, it will be sold the next day. Why
call i homestead II ia missioner. Il 10 mis-
use of terms. Homestead Homestead to se-
cure man and his family home Nobody can
do this without sovereign power. You would
do much better to get the State Legislatures TO
act, and call on them TO enact Homestead hws;
but TO call on Congress 10 pass Homestead laws. is
contradiction and absurnity. You say if he keeps
possession FIVE years he has homestead / say we
have that already by the Presumption law. Does 1t
secure man, his wife and children, home, against
execution, creditors, money and influence Not a
word fit. There is nothing like a homestead con-
Deced with the whole thing. will tell you what it
istrst it is panderng to vitiated and corrupt public
taste second, il is demogoeic system to court popu-
larity; third il is a deception practised on the
public mind. / ufe these terms Just as l wish
TO have them understood. l impute motives
to no one, but these are the pslpable facts
resulting from this act We have now the preeemp-
ton law |. permits to go upon the land. am
willing TO extend the time of payment to two years,
and If man cannot pay for the whole section let him
take q Iart-eiehty or forty acres. Every man can
surely secure home of forty and, permit me 10
remark that forty acres of land viii support family,
and set them forth in the world as well as Ordinary
society claim. Why give him land to make
homestead Now, what do we understand by hone
stead A perpetual home, or a temporary home
which do you nisan want gentlemen to speak out.
ask the Senator from Tennessee, what 10 you mean
byit
Mr.. JOHNsON-DOes the Senator want an
Mr.. GREEN--I do.
Mr.. JOIINSON-I mean by Homestead, frat, to
grant into his possession certain amount OF land, 80
that man can cs1l it his own, far as the Federal
Government protect it from forced sales or exc
cution Then L proceed on tue idea that, where the
States have not done IL, they Will commence the policy
where the Federal Government ceases. That they
will by State Legislation, secure TO each individual
certain amount Of soil which he can call his own You
may call il Homestead, or any other name you choose.
The advocates Of this bill do not assume any power
in tho Federal Government 70 conflict wish State author
ity, Willie the power remains In the federA GOV
ernmsnt is to give them guaranty against any debt
or contract made prior 10 the tit passing from the
Federal Govern ment TO him. presume that the States
where this lan6 lies will pursue the same principle Of
Justice: that the popular sentiment that ndu ced the
Federal Government to adopt this policy here will in
duce the States to take II up and carry 1t out.
Mr. GREEN understand. That discloses Won
derful amount of information
Mr. JOHNS0N-So far as securing homesteads If
concerned it very hard for the Federal Government
or State TO secure citizen in the enjoyment Of that
which lac never possessed. One thing is clear, no
State OF Federal Government can secure man home
if he never possesses It.
MIR. GREEN-He says the same policy and the same
popular sentiment. Oh, there is wonderful degrees
Of information in that see the trees bend under the
gushing wind. / see individuals bow TO what they
suppose TO be popular sentiment. Sir Will stand by
the Constitution OF my country against public sentl
ment and stand up for justice even against the rushing
wind. will stand up for tight even popular ssnti-
u emit is against 1t.
Mr.. J0HNSON-IfI 90 with the popular sentiment,
DO not do IL in cOntravention of the constitution OF
the United States. / stand here to defend popular
sentiment, but in conformity with the law believe
the homestead proposition to be right. believe 70
be constitutional and therefore uphold popular senti-
ment in accordance with these views.
Mr. GREEN-I had no doubt he was conscientious
in his remarks; but the human mind is 30 constituted,
and the moral convictions 30 tempered with pride and
power that when the idea OF popular sentiment Is
brought TO bear on them ii too frequently warps the
one and sways the other. There can be no homestead
made by Congress- There can be an arrangement
made for temporary occupancy, but to secure home
against State execution and State law is utterly mpos-
sibe. 1t lie beyond the powers of this Government,
and in contraventon of the express rights Of the sew
eral States Then, why call it homestead Why
not call it Gift II is not homestead and adopting
that name only deceives the public defrauds the pub
lie and il is cheat upon ourselves. To call 1t
Homestead perpetrates fraud on the public. This
would strike at the prosperity OF every state
in this Union II would strike down the whole rail-
road system and is an injustice to the soldiers of the
Revolution and Of the war OF lSl2-to whom bounty
land warrants have been granted For, If you pass
this bill the warrants will not be worth dollar lis
il the object of the Government TO tax the rich to build
up the posr? This Government derives its power from
the States and is there in that grant any power to tax
one portion fol- the benefit Of another There is not,
and however this Senate may vote, however public
Judgment NAV pronounce, truth will stand forever.
| This land IL purchased by common treasure. What
right has the Government to take this land and give 1t
10 the most worthless 1t encourages neglect dleness
| lazinees and waste. The object of Government is
protection This plan would destroy all incentive to
Industry At the end of five years these people would
Senator from Tennessee viii say the public breeze
demands another diyision.
The Senate went into Executive Session On the
treaties. Adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.