WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1850
115
contributing to the general wealth of the country. Influenced by a policy of this character, I would be glad to see it established here. Millions cannot number the amount of acres that we have of public domain in this country, that is unprofitable, and unoc- cupied; and when you cast your eyes to the cities of the North and the cities of the whole Union, you will find millions of citizens, millions of people there, who are dependent on the charity of the country, living miserable dependents on their daily labor for their subsistence; and if you can transfer them to our western and southern borders, you will place them in a position to establish a state of profitable independence and respectability, in which they can rear their families, educate them, and build up society on our borders with intelligence equal to that which adorns our principal cities. Cities will rise, sir; and this is the way to extend our dominion over the forests of the country, and to give support and impart happiness to millions who would otherwise be wretched, miserable, dependent, and degraded. These considera- tions, Mr. President, have influenced me in part, in handing in this resolution; merely to add to the resolution of another gentle- man, that it might be more comprehensive in its operation than to appropriate it to emigrants or the inhabitants of a particular country. I sympathize, Mr. President, with the oppressed and ruined Hungarian, while I despise the power which has trampled him down. I regret the unheard-of cruelties that are now perpetrated over the broad land of fair Hungary; but, sir, we -have other emigrants to our country with whom we claim the closest ties of affinity, and are bound by nature and by kindred. These people are flocking to our shores. If we extend to them a welcome, let us extend with that welcome real benefits. We have millions and millions of acres that we can give away, and have a residuum of millions more left. I have looked into the statistics of this sub- ject, sir, and I would be rejoiced to know that one-half of our public domain was given away to those who will become occupants of it, and who will cultivate it with advantage to themselves and to the country, and, in addition, add to our imports and exports, develop our resources, and increase the revenue of the country by the imposts upon articles of consumption. For these reasons, Mr. President, I hope the committee to which it is proposed to refer this resolution will give it that consideration to which it is entitled, and that they will consider the great ad- vantages which will arise not only to the country, sir, but to the
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