25 PASSED THE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL. By this bill, in 1866, all persons bom in the United States, excluding Indians not taxed, “were declared hereby to be citizens of the United States, having the same rights as white citizens, to sue and be sued, make and enforce contracts, take and convey property, and enjoy all civil rights whatever.” Charles Sumner, after this, secured extended rights to the colored people. All these, Democracy constantly opposed. PAID HALF THE WAR DEBT. In 1865 the total debt was twenty-eight hundred million dollars ($2,844,649,626), a burden sufficient to affright any nation. The interest on this was over one hundred and fifty million dollars, about four dollars for each' person. In eighteen years over ten hundred million dollars have been paid, and the interest per capita is now only about ninety-eight cents. Says Hon. George S. Boutwell, in a book which everybody should read, “Why I am a Republican,” “The history of the world furnishes no example for the financial successes of the Government of the United States. For these successes the country is indebted to the skill, courage, and integrity of the Republican party.” GIVEN THE HOMESTEAD LAWJTO THE PEOPLE. No measure for the good of honest and economical working men and women has done more than this. By the act, approved May 20th, 1862, any citizen of the United States may own one hundred and sixty acres of land by living upon it for five years. Union soldiers can deduct from this length of time whatever time they served in the army, not to exceed four years. This has been a blessing to hundreds of thousands, who, by this gift of the Government, have been helped to independence and usefulness. Immigrants from foreign lands, who would otherwise, perhaps, have herded in cities, have joyfully accepted this opportunity to make a start in life. The country has become richer and greater by this far-sighted measure. The Republicans, in their platform in i860 said, “We demand the passage by Congress of the complete and satisfactory homestead measure which has recently passed the House.” President Buchanan vetoed the bill, and the '•eventeen negative votes, although the bill was carried over the veto, were given by Democrats I
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