So did his colleague. the no less. and perIps oven more. distinguished Colonel Benton. who also took part. From that contest grew up the system which has existed without any change until very lately. by which it was provided that the public lands should be surveyed as speedily as possible and by proclamation of the President of the United States be placed in the market. offered for sale to the highest bidder. and if not then sold. subject to entry at private sale at the minimum price of a dollar and a quarter. That was the system which grew out of the discnssion on the Foot resolution . and under that system an immense tide of emigration from 130 up to the present day poured from the East to the valley of the Mississippi. and from Europe to that same rich valley that has given us the great population we have now. Had it not been for the wise and statesmanlike provision by which men were enabled to procure title to the rich lands of the West at a low price. this vast tide of emigration would not have taken place. and tte great region of the West would today. to a great extent. be a wilderiess instead of being as it is the home of many millions of inhabitants. while it was at that day the homo of savages. and of afew French. settled in the old Frenchtowns built under the former colonial goernmen ts of France and Spain. By this enlightened policy. which enabled the industrious and enterprising laboringman of the East and the industrious and enterprising laboringman of Europe to aequire land in the West. this great tide of emigration was encouraged and poured ii there and took up these lands. It was a wise. statesiranlike policy. That was. as I have already said. the policy which continued for many years and to some extent and in some States to this very day. and in my State. for instance. and in the States of Kansas and Nebraska and Iowa and Minnesota. and which if tme bill which has lately passed this body is passed in the other house. will also apply to all the Southern States.
Keywords matched
emigration