The Struggle for the Promised Land of Washington Territory

With the House of Representatives ready at all times to sacrifice our interests upon the altar of its political scheming, and with the Administration encouraging the obstructionist Sparks to prevent the development of government lands, the friends and pioneers of Washington Territory are naturally feeling discouraged. The old settlers have been waiting patiently, although in vain, for the settlement of our unoccupied lands, which would when improved make invaluable their own properties. Were it not for the peculiar methods of the present Administration, these lands would now be readily converted into farms and thereby serve the dual purpose of furnishing homes for the poor, who in turn would share with the pioneers the burdens of taxation incident to the development of a new country. Sparks is opposed to the immediate development of government lands, hence the Administration defiantly obstructs our progress. Sparks does not believe in the poor man, hence he brands all who are seeking homes in the western world as thieves and scoundrels. This double-handed policy feigns to work in the interest of the homeseeker, but his plans are always found in the end to play into the hands of greedy speculators.