Question

Why was the North opposed to the cheap sale of land in the West?

Answer 1

there was no profit in it for most northerners and it would provide a way for wage slaves to find opportunities somewhere besides in the north. They wanted cheap labor and the west would slim the pickings provided by desparation and poverty.

Answer 2

The North was opposed to the cheap sale of land in the West because they feared that if land in the West was sold at a cheap price, then workers would move to the West. If too many workers moved to the west then factories, and companies would go out of business.