Red Wing sentinel. [volume] (Red Wing, M.T. [i.e. Minn.]) 1855-1861, 1860-03-21
THE HOMESTEAD BILL.

This wise and beniicene measure has al.
rendy passed the House Of Representatives,
and had also been made the special order for
Thursday of last week, by decisive vote.
This looks as if the bill would pass at an
carly day, and 60 to the President; what
its fate with the President will be, no one
can safely predict, We hope he will ap-
prove it. and that it may soon become q law.
The present bill avoids the serious OBJ
jections urged against similar bill Of the
last session and applies to all lands in Min
nesota, whether offered or unofered.
No law could be enacted by Congress
that would, in its direct and indirect influ.
ences SO much promote the growth and
prosperity Of Minnesota, as this. 1t comes
to the relief Of our people at most aus.
piclous moment. It will quicken enterprise
and business OF every Kind awaken hope
and make glad many responding heart.
Immigration will revive, and settlement will
press its way westward with giant strides;
busy industry will develop the marvellous
fertility Of our prairies and woodlands, and
all the attendant advantages Of rapid growth
must, we predict, follow.
We only fear the homestead settlers right
Of Location, will cause the burdens of taxa
ton to rest unequally aud make those who
have paid for their land and farms, (our
earliest pioneers.) pay all the expenses q
Government. We hardly know that this
will be- SO, for we have had no opportunity
Of seeing an authentic copy Of the bill passed.
It should be provided, if possible, that the
right to tax, should follow the entry.
This however is no time to cavil 1T the
rich gift by government Of homes to the en-
terprising poor. Wealth follows in the
train Of settlement. Farms and towns
spring into existence and the arteries Of
trade aud business pulsate with health
and strength. By the ordinary means Of
Development, Minnesota was becoming
strong, after the debilitatilg effects Of ex-
hausting speculations. The sweat Of toll
and remunerative agriculture were rapidly
curing our financial ills, now, If this bill be.
comes . law, to be still more quickencd by
a new stimulus to increased production.
The crisis Of 1867 is passed whenever this
law shall send its welcome invitation ia
labor to come to our borders. The busy
scenes of'55 and SO, will l.e re. enacted and
every cloud that dims the "Star Of the
North" will be dissipated at once We thank
Congress for the Homestead law.
rne Dcaencial erect Of this law reache,
beyond this. 1t will cure for oil time ,hi,
great American cancer, tie .l,svsry a., itation
1t fixes the character Of new States beyond
tho necessity of discussion. . 1t will fill then
with small farmers and slavery cannot b,
any possible means obtain toothold. Th.
active energies Of the American people car
then 10 Withdrawn from d binding anf
madden:ns slavery discussion, to the cal,ne
considerations Of practical and pcrtinen
local questions. Local issues +; taxation AMI
p'un1er'ng demagogucs, who ever brough
to tine surface, by this slavery mania, vii
then receive attention; for we presume GU,
Repnplicac friends will be compelled to 10
other folks mind ther own business, when
there is no ''nigger in the fence"