Speech #460062976

I entirely agree with the Senator from Kentucky that there is no reason now why persons who were engaged in the rebellion should not be entitled to homestead like everybody else. and I thought so a long time ago. and I think as early as 1874 that change was made. If it has not been made. in my opinon it certainly ought to be. It does not stand upon the same principle as the other laws which still malr a discrimination. and I should be very glad if the law is now so to change it and change it at once. but if the Senator from Kentucky will look at section 2289 of the Revised Statutes of the United States he will see that the limitation against persons who have borne arms against the United States is dropped out. and I think he will find that it was done by force of the act of the 11th of February. 1874. or the 13th of March of that yearI do not remember which. so that now by the Revised Statutes "every perso who is the head of a family. or who has arrived at the age of twentyone years. and is a citizen of the United States. or who has filed his declaration of intention to become such. as required by the naturalization laws. shall be entitled to" the benefits of the homestead act. No distinetionis made against citizens of the United States who were engaged in the service of the socalled confederacy.