Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-08-10
THE HOMESTEAD BILL;
Andrew johnson its Author, not
Horace Greeley

From the Greeneville Reporter, Aug. c.
Over zeal on the part of some people
lead them into errors, which are often not
only ludicrous from the amount of ignor-
ance displayed, but do injustice to others.
As case in point we find the Springfield
(Mass.) Republican saying, and the Knox
vile Press and Herald copying, that
sit was Congressman Greeley who
brought in the first Homestead Bill, etc"
This is not true. Mr.. Greeley entered
Congress in December, 1S4S, and left it in
March, 1S49, remaining there only for an
unexpired term Of three months. During
that period he may have had something to
say in regard to the Homestead bill and
probably was among what was known as
the Gland Reformers." But the bill
itself was first introduced in Congress in
1876 by Hon. Andrew johnson, then a
member Of the House. This was on the
9th of March, of that year, from which
time Mr.. johnson lost no opportunity to
advocate the policy and uphold the wisdom
of granting each head of family one
hundred and sixty acres of the public lands
upon certain just condition, until 1852, on
the 18th day of May, when it was passed
by a two-thirds majority of the House. In
1853, the same bill in substance, when
brought forward by Hon. John L. Dawson,
of Pa, received an Overwhelming vote
in its favor. 1t failed, however, on both
occasions in the Senate, although
urged by men like Cass and Webster.
When Andrew johnson, after serving
the people Of Tennessee as their Governor
from 1858 to 1857, was returned as their
Senator to the National Congress, he again
brought up what had become to be known
as his "hobby"-the Homestead Bill. Here
he was called uponIto wage long, vigorous
and hard contested battle for it, but finally
succeeded in having it passed. President
Buchanan vetoed it for trivial and techni-
cal reasons and the Senate sustained the
veto. In 1864 the Bill was finally passed
and is now law, wise and benefcent in
its operations as millions of happy homes
and contented people abundantly testify.
We do not desire TO detract anything from
the public services of Horace Greeley but
do desire to "be just before we are gener-
ous." Andrew johnson may well be proud
of his noble labors for the great measure
and his paternity of it, and Tennessee
should give him larger share of that honor
which the world has decreed him on &C
count thereof.
Let US not crowd honors of other men
upon transient favorite, for any momen-
airy gain in political popularity, even though
he words of Hon. Jos. r. Chandler, of
Pennsylvania, uttered in the House, while
this homestead bill was under discussion,
may be destined to prove true. Said he:
"Sir, other men may wear the civic wreath
which the nation twines for those
who serve their country in lofty posi-
tons, or they may be graced with lau-
rels prepared for those who defend
her in the hour of peril, and their names
may be inscribed upon the imperishable re-
cords Of National glory; while no crown
shall be wove or column be reared to the
humble working legislator who prepared or
presented the Homestead Bill. A con-
sciousness of duty performed must be his
present remuneration, and his reward in
the future must be the lowly inscription of
his name with those who loved the people,"