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The Senate Reacts To Franklin Pierce's Veto
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| 76 | These were the provisions of the bill. It is a revival of that old system of selling lands at the courthouses and seats of government, which led to so much confusion. What then would become of the provision that the land should be applied to the support of the insane? Why, it would be disregarded, just as the sovereign States once disregarded your mandate, put in the shape of law, that they should send their members of Congress here by districts, instead of by States. The State of Mississippi was one of the States which refused to comply, and my friend from California reminds me that his State now elects her Representatives by general ticket, in the face of your law. So it would be in the disposition of this bank paper. The States would do as they please with it, and where is your power to coerce, or compel, or to alter their legislation? You have none. | |
| 77 | But, sir, so far as I am concerned, I never stop to inquire what the President will do with the homestead or any other bill. He has sent us here his veto of this bill. I am ready to record my vote on that veto. I am ready to proceed to that reconsideration of the bill which the Constitution requires. I hope we shall do so, according to the former usages of the Senate. I am unwilling to postpone its consideration for any longer time than is necessary for deliberation. Let us pursue the usual course on such occasions. I am anxious and desirous to accommodate my friend from California in anything, but I cannot agree to postpone the consideration of the question, with a view to action on other kindred subjects. | |
| 78 | Mr. SHIELDS. I do not wish to procrastinate this debate, but I have a word to say to my friend from Iowa. He seems, I think, to misunderstand the object of my proposed postponement of this measure. The object which I have in view is this: I look upon this as a very favorable occasion afforded to the Senate, to settle and establish some principle in relation to the disposition of the public domain. I regard this as the best chance, the fairest opportunity that has ever been offered to the Senate, since I became a member of the body, to fix some general principles in relation to the future disposition of the public domain. I am as anxious for that as any member of this body. That is my object; that is the reason I wish to postpone this measure. Now, when the honorable Senator from Delaware rises up in his place, and says he thinks it is respectful to the President, that we should not act on the measure at the present time, I should like to know if that honorable Senator entertains a higher respect for the Chief Magistrate, either personally or politically, than I do. I doubt whether any member of this body can say he does. I am not in the habit of making professions; but if any gentleman supposes or believes the object of the proposed postponement is disrespectful to the President, he does me as much injustice as be does the Chief Magistrate. I would be the last man in this body to do an act disrespectful to the President. | |
| 79 | Mr. DODGE, of Iowa. My friend wholly misunderstood me if he supposes that I attributed any such thing to him at all. I only spoke of the necessity of our pursuing the usual course. | |
| 80 | Mr. SHIELDS. I do not mean to say that the honorable Senator from Iowa intimated anything of the kind but the honorable Senator from Delaware secured to intimate, and actually did declare, that he thought it would be respectful to the President that we should act promptly on the message, even to-day. Now, even on that ground, considering that this is a great subject, and that the message embraces, if looked at properly, the future management and disposition of the public domain, I think it is more respectful to the President that we should take sometime to dwell upon this message, and meet it with that deliberation which is due to it. I think we should consider it in all its bearings, in reference to all its principles, not only upon the measure immediately before us, but upon the homestead bill, the Pacific railroad bill, and the grants of land to the new States for railroad purposes, in which the honorable Senator from Iowa takes so deep an interest. | |
| 81 | Now, sir, that is the reason why I have made this motion. It is my opinion, honestly entertained, that if we enter upon the discussion of this bill now, which will open the door to constitutional arguments, there is a farewell to the homestead bill, or to any other practical measure in relation to the public lands for this session. The Senator may be a friend of the measure, he may desire its passage; but I assure him that if he goes into this discussion now, he will defeat that measure as effectually as if he votes against it. That is my opinion now. Time will either verify it, or show that he is right. I say it is our duty to take up the homestead bill and consider it, and at the same time we shall be considering the bearing, and import, and future effect of the great measure now upon your table. | |