Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-24

by the force of his genius and the tran
scendent qualities of-his mind and heart.
He has always been hsen- minded, but never
SO high-minded but his fess easily touched
the earth. He newt 3foubIed himself
with the enigmas of theory but has been
practical in all the affairs OF life. He has
always open, frank And Cheerful. Those
who have been honored with his acquaint-
ance have never heard sentiment pass his
lips which could not Aavelbeen uttered in
firmly acted upon tha principle that the
best mode of teaching is to practice what
one breaches. He believes that it is the
duty of every citizen ~ help bear the pub
affairs of his town, hts state and his coun-
try. ss;s ia
stands out among the deeds of men like
the bright star of tha smerning. The first
time he lifted his VOICE Inc the Capitol he
plead for the sons of toll, and the last set
speech he will probably ever utter there
citadel of a nations power and whose arms
are the bulwark OF liberty"
The Homestead Law.
The enactment of the homestead law was
due to his intelligent and ceaseless efforts
and Is the proudest achievement Of his use
full life There can be no question as to the
paternity of Homestead Bill" GaIusha A.
Grow. although a bachelor. Is the happy
father Of that wholesome child. He. con-
ceived the bill: he introduced 1t into Con-
gress. He fought its battles for ten years
on the floor of the House. He signed the
bill as Speaker of the Thfrty-seventh Con-
gress and by the signature of Abraham
Lincoln it became a law. Thus 1t Is seen
that he is not the alleged father, nor the
supposed father, nor the reputed father, nor
the father in-law, but the genuine father
Of that useful member of American civili-
zation-Homestead Bill-and 1t is glory
enough for one man to be the father of that
giant of human welfare.
Nearly 90.O00,000 acres of public domain
| have been permanentlyr occupied under the
| homestead law, making about 67O.oO0 en-
tries, and the beneficiarieS number over
1000 600 of souls. This land has been given
| to honest settlers and not to land grabbers
and railroads. 1t is an area covering more
| territory than all Of New England and it
now represents, roughly estimated the as
| tonishing value of $4,000, 100000.
Great Benefits.
Over forty years have passed away since
Crows great law became reality, and go
where you may in our western states and
territories, you will find startling evidence
Of the wisdom Of the homestead law.
On the banks of the Mississippi in the
vast forests and plains Of the northwest. on
| the borders Of Mexico and by the shores
of the inland seas, are the marks OF Its
| influence and proofs Of its magic power.
Blue Ridge to the Sierra Nevadas and on
to the Golden Gate have become the homes
of some of our greatest men. The hopes Of
those fresides mingle with the progress Of
happy yeomanry. The fertile valleys of
our western rivers resound with the harvest
songs Of the homestead reaper. The prairie
plowman recounts the blessings which 1t
has showered upon his race, and the cow
boy, in his lonely watch on the Colorado,
chants the toilers anthem OF Free Homes
for Free Men,"
Such is the character and the work of the
great citizen who Is about to disappear
from the arena of active public life. The
industry with which he has labored for the
public good the dignity with which he has
borne political adversely: the modest but
firm demeanor which he has shown In
high offices Of trust; the d4sdain with
which he has looked upon the bossism Of
commercial politics. the firm hatred which
he has shown to all forms of political i'm
morality and, above all, the absolute faith
he has kept with his friends, his country
and his reputation rank him high among
the republics grea test fsOns-the peerless
champion of American husbandry. Ger
tainly he is one Of our foremost citizens,
one of the philosophers and guides Of the
republic, and thereforefone of its most dis
tinguished friends. May the portrait of
Grow which Pennsylvania has hung on the
walls of the national Capitol remain there
may look upon that kindly face and reyer-.
emily contemplate the record Of that useful
life, which is niched with historic grandeur
in the temple Of our countrys fame. The
time will come when the American home
steaders will erect splendid monument to
s'~>1, JAMEs r. DUBOIS.