Speech #430045639

At least it so seemls to m. I think that I can see that if this policy be adopted it will open a door to the most outrageous frauds. I think it is vet y easy. if this tring is to he done. for sharp and designing men. when it is once found that Congress will pass such laws. to come here representing thensoelves as entitled to represent large bodies of immigrants coming to this country and asking the passage of precisely simtilar bills. and how are you to refuse them? Are you going to refuse th6m apou the ground that their sect of religion is not as good as the Mennonites. or that you do not quite agree with their sentiments in morals or politics or something else? Are we to have an investigation into the character and opinions of the immigrants? Are we to have a religious or a moral or a philosophical or an economical test set up whenever such grants are ashedfor T If so. I think we shall have a task 1upon our hands that will be quite too large for our execution. No. the land policy of this Government since we have quit giving the lands to corporations is the right policy. The homestead policy is the right policy. It is that poliey which enables the settler to acilro a home for himself and his children. and to acquire it honestly by discharging those duties which the statute imposes on him on order to acquire that title. and I think that any policy which tends to monopolize those lands in large tracts is not advantageous to the people of the country. nor to the immigrants to the country. and is against the best interests of the Government.