Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1868-08-07
[WHOLE NO. si5.


diers have asked for no such measure, MOI
do they want to be made the objects o.
any such fictitious grstitudc," aud de-
clares that sthe obligations ofthe country
to them would be nearly osnceled should
they knowingly and purposely allow 90
monstrous scheme OF monopoly sgsins'
the Isboring men Of the country to b
perpefrated In their nsme." tty u
q But while the bill would thus prove .
violated promise TO the soldier, its effect
upon ti.e public domain would be still
more deplorable. On this point I take
leave TO quote again from the same reports
"All the evils Of land speculation. "a
an extent as alarming as IL would be un-
precedented, would be the sure result,
Capital, always sensitive and sagscious
would grasp these warrants at the lowest
rates. Land monopoly in the United
States, under this national sanction,
would have its new birth, and enter upon
career of wide spread mischief and de-
ISOLATION. Spectators would seize and
appropriate nearly all the choice lsnds Of
the Government, and those nearest the
settled portions Of the country, while
homestead claimants aud preemptors
would be driven to the outtkirts Of civili--
ration, meeting oil the increased expense
and danger of securing homes for their
families, and surrendering the local sd.
vantsges Of schools, churches, mills. wa.
gon roads, and whatever else pertains TO
the necessities and enjoyments Of we'll.
settled neighborhood. This policy would
stop the advancing column Of immigrs-
ton from Europe, and Of emigration from
the States, which has done so much TO
make the public domain asource of pro-
ductive wealth, subject Of revenue, and
home for the lsndless thousands who
have thus at once become useful citizens
and an element Of national strength. II
would, In fact, amount to virtual over
throw Of the beneRcent policy Of the home
stead law, which has, perhaps, done more
TO make the American name honored and
loved among the Christian nations Of the
earth than any single enactment since the
formation of the Government" $40
Mr.. Chairman, Isubmit that the facts
embodied in this brief summary ought TO
settle this question In the minds Of all
men who will lay aside passion and allow
themselves for single moment to think.
With me they are absolutely conclusive,
l claim TO be as true friend Of tho sold
ier rs any man in this Congress or out Of
Il; but am likewise the friend Of the
millions who toll, whether soldiers or civ
ilians, and cannot, therefore, unite with
any man or set Of men, for any purpose.
IN opposing the homestead law, either by
open sssault, or the insidious policy OF In /.
direction. am quite as unwilling TO aid
In It's overthrow now, on the preiense OF
giving bouniies TO soldiers, as l was five
years ago on the srecious ground OF pay
ing our national debt. It's policy Is con-
stantly invaded, BY stupendous grants 10
railroad corporations, by corrupt Indian
treaties which sweep away the rights OF
settlers and curse vast districts OF country,
and by the growing spirit Of monopoly,
shown iu multiplied forms and threaten.
ing the very principle OF democratic equal
iiy in the Republic, Sir, the duty to
which we are summoned Is not that Of
submission or acquiescenco- but Of un-
ainehing resistance TO these unchristian
and anti republican tendencies Of our
time. No epbemeral advantages, II they
were sttainabe by an opposite course,
could atone for the enduring mischefs TO
the country which would oertaiuly ensue.
Mr. Chairman, ifany further argument
addressed 10 this House Is needed | fnd
IL st hand, This body. 10 March last,
passed without division the following
resolution:
"Resoircd. That 10 order to carry into
full aud complete effect the spirit and pol.
10y Of the preempiion and homestead lava
Of The United States the further sale Of
the agrieutursl public lands ought to be
prohibited by law; aud that all proposed
giants Of land TO aid In the construction
Of railroads, or for other special oljects,
should be cdr.Jatiy serufmised and r,gidly
sabordiadted 10 the paramount purpose Of
securing homes for The taadtess poor ihs ac-
f1ot settlement aud tftage If me pubic do.
main, aud The consequent increase Of The
national seeaffh"
Sir, am quite sure the sentiment Of
this resolution would be most heartily in
dorsed by the great body OF tho people Of
the United States. Let Us stand by Il In
the face Of all temptations. 1t utters the
true watchword aud rallying cry Of the
people Of oil parties. aud lis gospel must
be preached and practleed II our great
ualioua pairimony is to be saved from
the greed OF mopopolisis aud the rspaeity
Of thieves. | do not believe this House
will now 20 back on the record II has
made. Indeed. some OF the friends of
this bounty bill assure me they desire its
passage because they believe Congress
will soon carry into effect the resolution I
have quoted by providing that no more
Of our public lands shall be sold except
under the proemption aud Homestead laws
the effect Of which, they say, would be 10
bring these certificates OF Indebtedness
nearly TO par. | sincerely hope Congress
will be wise enough to do what Is pro-
dioted. even hope for Il at this session,
bur | deny that auy such effect on the
price Of certificates would result. Such
a measure could not iateriere with the
holders Of college scrip, through which
land could s,ill be bought without tho
condition Of occupancy and improvement;
nor could itundo those huge land monop-
olios already existing under our lnoian
treaty policy aud swamp land legislation,
through which the trade 10 land will be
lively fora good whie TO come. There
will be ways enough leh 10 buy land with
out the obligation to live upon and culti-
vata II after tha hill 1 feuorted Ia this