The Enactment Of The Homestead

Tyranny And Despotism Can Be Exercised By Many, More Rigorously, More Vigorously, And More Severely, Than By One.

The Goal To Strive For Is A Poor Government But A Rich People.

The Homestead Policy Was Established Only After Long And Earnest Resistance; Experience Proves Its Wisdom. The Lands In The Hands Of Industrious Settlers, Whose Labor Creates Wealth And Contributes To The Public Resources, Are Worth More To The United States Than If They Had Been Reserved As A Solitude For Future Purchasers.

I Have Been Almost Overwhelmed By The Announcement Of The Sad Event [lincoln's Assassination] Which Has So Recently Occurred. I Feel Incompetent To Perform Duties So Important And Responsible As Those Which Have Been So Unexpectedly Thrown Upon Me.

The Enactment Of The Homestead Act Would Create The Strongest Tie Between The Citizen And The Government-he Would With Cheerfulness Contribute His Proportionable Part Of The Taxes To Defray The Expenses Of The Political System Under Which He Lived.