New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-05-13
Letter from Early Land Reformers "a
Presidens Johnsen.
NEW YORK, April 20 1865.

|frttidtrf JOhNsON.
DEAR SIR: Some Of the undersigned names
will be recognized by you those Of old personal
friends They all those Of personal admirers. We
are moved by common impulse TO thus publicly reoog
nize you leader in good cause to which we gave
our sympatbies and best eIertons through long
years of struggle for the rightsome OF rs committing
ourselves 10 it more than quarter OF century ago
and working for it in ceaseless hope, although amid
many discouragemenis. till its final triumph.
You will anticipate that refer to what was popn-
larry known as the Land Reform movement-a move.
ment which has not only rewarded its friends With
success but which has found its best justification in
the benefcent workings Of the Homestead law whereby
thousands Of the children Of ts Republic whether by
|birthright or adoption who would without its bene
fac TONS have remained among the landless poor
bow happy and prosperous luers OF the SOL ana nnu
entail Citizens.
II cannot be otherwise than most cOnsolng 70 the
loyal and ruebearted Of all parties and sections
Ito recognize in your succession ~ the Chief
of this great nation. 90 great compensation for the
painful loss Of your beloved predecessor a. that which
feel be promised " the stricken people by your
past public career marked II has been by long and
varied experience In stations whose duties well
fitted 70 prepare you for your new station. Indeed
your whole life has been not only preparation but
prophesy OF the high usefulness which those who know
you best prepared TO witness - the elimination oil
your career
We need say nothing further TO satiafy you that
fully appreciate the rest Of fellow citizens
worth in this respect And yet will add that
regard the sacred Of loyalty and reunion
specially fortunate In being committed 70 the direction
yourself in the school Of both private sdversty and
public per-one. in fact, whose whole manhood years.
nearly have been spent either In the public service OF
your State both legislative and executive, or that
Of the nation at lsrgs and ready therefore Ia
heartily join with others in the hiehest testimonials they
may be moved to offer In this regard.
But there iss particular department Of re public
special interest Wsnsed scarcely say that refer u
your jealous and advocacy Of the benehcent
measure already named.
trfed by your accession " the ranks Of tho Land Re
formers. 1t was announced by mere wOrdy promise
not intended for fulment but BY the presentation of
your Homestead bill TO the House OF Representatives In
1880 and its advocacy in speech Of great thorough.
hess OF research and logical force.
We have said we were electrified" because no
other phrase would suffice 10 indicate the intense Joy
mingled with surprise with which We bebeld the phe-
noaenon Of Democrat. and he representative from
Slave holding State breaking away from the nsmmes
OF his party and Drawing the sure censure OF bis section
a. y0n heroicslly did, 70 do service In cause which
had long been the subject Of little else beside misepre
sanitation and rdicue. even in the free States based
principles Of truth though It and which would in
all probability, have been in the same category still
but for your example and aid legislator.
And our joy and surprise, allow IN add, was
the less intense because OF recognising In the prnci
Try truth. while foresaw In the practical workings
of the proposed law surest death blows to SlaveSya
foresight however. which was scarcely needed to de-
monstrate that result Inevitable for the instructive
spirit Of opposition which the Shareholders In Congress-
TO man. manifested against your bill and your course
in its support was amply sufficient to that end.
In fact they plainly fOrcssw that the opening OF the
public lands to free settlement by the small fsted
farmers Of the North, and the sndess "mudsills" Of
1.-THE South would prove the death kne Of Savehodine
domination in the politics Of the Nation. They fore
saw that those lxndseekers and their children built
up new States in me far West, under the direct and
indirect aid Of such arrangement o. that which
yonr munfcent bill proposed. they would gradually
Insure the utter prepoDderance Of Freedom over
Slavery; fer more and more VI these would
in the language OF the Buffalo platform seek
homes OF comfort and fields Of enterprise" in the free
land sections OF the great West there to become the
political peers Of the scornful Shareholders sending
their freedom loving representatives to Congress- 10
out.vote the Slayehoding and Slavery-representing
members in spite of the unfair advantage If the three
hs rule and 20 oyeIturn all their schemes for propa
gandism and perpetuaton IN the end. And this fore
sight OF the saveocracy. TO the ultimate result Of
Land Reform uorlf have been proved correct by
developments " he future most welcome TO the friend,
Of Freedom. while most unweicOme ~ the friends Of
Despoism had the Rebellion not nterposed It's swiitsi
process Of Slavery extinction at the suicidal bidding Of
the shareholders themselves.
Now thai the principle OF your bill has gone into the
history OF American legislation and become crystazed
law, and the lands Of the people been
tho occupancy Of the andless under the Liberal egisa