Red Wing sentinel. [volume] (Red Wing, M.T. [i.e. Minn.]) 1855-1861, 1860-10-24
JUDGE DOUGLAS AT DUBUQUE.
HIS VIEWS ON THE LAND or
THE GOVERNMENT.

lost sight ofmy obligations to the en-
tire Union. l believe that it is the
mission of the northwest to save this
Union from the fierce and hostile fac
tions that rage between the extreme
North aud South. Yes, sir, our pe-
culiar location, our geographical po-
sitions, enables us more than any 9TH
er portion of the country to bind this
glorious Union together. Bordering
upon the Mississippi and upon the
great Lakes; with commerce floating
Southwark and Eastward, we have an
equal interest in the North and South.
We can never consent to any arrange.
ment that would deprive us of our
Eastern trade. Nor can we ever per-
NIT toll gate to be established on
the Mississippi river, that would pre-
vent our free navigation to the gulf
and upon tho ocean. I confess that /
feel a just pride in witnessing the
growth Of this great north.w western
country. I remember Iowa when
there was but a few scattering settle
ments on the west bank Of the Missis-
sippi river. -es
1 was personally acquainted with
nearly all the original settlers of this
Territory. I took deep interest in
their welfare, and had the honor to
write the bill that admitted Iowa as
State into the Union. After the State
was admitted, you having failed at
the first Legislature to elect Senators,
the Democratic State Convention of
Iowa, did me the honor to ask me to
look after their interests until your
own Senators should be elected. l
think l can appeal with entire safety
to the Senators, not only of Iowa but
of every northwestern State, to bear
Testimony that never have been faith
less to their interest. These remarks
are not confined to Iowa alone. had
the honor of writing and introducing
the bill that admitted Wisconsin as
State into the Union, and also the bills
that admitted Minnesota, California
and Oregon into the Union. had
the honor to pen and advocate and car
Try through the Senate the bill that
|organizcd the Territories of New
Mexico, Utah, Washington; Kansas
and Nebraska. d While organizing
those Territories my attention was e.
pecially given to the land system-up-
on which the interests and, prosperity
Of all our new Territories and new
States so much depends. Iearly dis
covered that our land system was vic.
ious and defective in one particular.
That portion Of the system which of.
fers the public lands at auction, and
places the speculator on an equality
with the actual settler, is unwise and
tunjust to the people ofthe new States
and Territories. In no State Of this
Union are the misfortunes and mis-:
chiefs Of that system of speculation
:. more visible than upon these beautiful
praries of Iowa. I hDve often. had
:. occasion to sag ias the Senate Of tie
United States, and mo,o repeat 1t to
yow, that # Ihad ney aeay, there neve,
sco,tld be anothe public land sale on
the american Continent, Tremen
dous applause. would apply tho
pre-emption system and the homestead
bill to all our public lands, and
would allow the title to remain in the
\ Federal Government until some actua
settler would avail himself of the pre-
emption and the Homestead BILL
(Cries, ssthat's right" and ap.
plause] I originated the idea of /:
Homestead bill when q member of the
House Of Representatives some sixteen
lor seventeen years ago. introduced
the bill into the House. and have re-
|. newed it in the Senate from time tc
time, up to the last session of Con
gress. I trust the day will come wher
!, we can correct the evils of our lane
system, by conining the occupation o.
the lands to the actual settler, and ex
, clude the speculator. [Applausc.]
would carry out that system not onl,
as matter of justice to the settler.
Of the States and Territories, but a.
matter Of public policy fr the govern
, ment. Tie public lands ought never
to be made a source of public revenue
, So long as they have been made 30
they have tended TO- embarrass tn,
Government rather than aid it. Tht
, land sales have been large wheneve1
{ the country was prosperous, and the,
have been nearly nothing when hare
! times came upon us. In good timcI
there has been a superabundancc o
!, foreign goods imported, and a sur
, plus in the treasury arising from tina
). superabundance., We then derived
! 10, 10, 90 or % millions of dollars
v|year. from the public lands, creating
!, vast surplus in the treasury at tn
livery time when We did not want j,