The North-Carolina standard., 1845-03-19

Internal improvement f4nd, (invesiz -
ment in Wilmington Road) - 533,757 ~
Public Fund, (for building Capitel r. 20
6e) sa.,-.z - rs.-z~s Fas 5zTT-.4 1oo,Nes -
Sl,43s.757 80
More Than one million OF this snm, inthe event
that the Federal Government demands It's pay.
ment, will have to be raised from the pockets OF
the people, am for receiving no more, dis
dain begging more As the Teprcsentatlve OF a
proud and Independents constituency, dare not
convert myself into an1alms seeker; lest incur
their scoTn and derision.
Mr. Speaker, Ihaye yet 10 learn in what part
OF the Federal Constitution is, to be found, the
power to borrow money for distribution, or totsx
Ihe peop,eto raise money for that purpose! lhere
is no such power given, no rule laid down by
which to take and distribute money from the Pub
lie Treasury There is a rule given for raising
revenue-ifbY direct taxes It must be according
to the ratio of representation if by dutes they
are TO be fair, equal and uniform. Congress can
only raise money to defray the expenses, or pay
the debts Of the government. But If the power
I was undoubted ought it 10 be exercised Ought
Congress to borrow money, create national debt,
10 be discharged by taxes levied directly or indi-
.reclly upon the people, in order To enable the
States to engage in works of internal improve.
mcnt and 10 establish common schools2 All
this is too palpabe TO escape detection the veil
that covers it is too thin, he that runs may read
II is the doctrine against which the Democratic
party have been warning time immemorial. II is
the old banner Of federalism and national republi-
canism again unfurled. The scheme Of dividing
the surplus is 10 be pressed, in conncxiou with n
distribution of land proceeds to'crrate pretext for
continuing the present abominable tariff. The
Federal Treasury must be plundered in order 10
produce deficit, which is to be supplied by an
oncrous tariff upon all the prime necessarics ol
life.
! The money when distributed goes to the States
in their corporate capacity, il never was designed
to reach the peoples pockets. But the tax which
is to supply its place, will fall with uaefIng Ger
tainty upon The farmer, mechanic, ndi4aboTns
man. 81
We of the South ask that the present tariff may
be reduced TO the wants of the government eco
nomicallv administered; and as oft'n as we make
that demand we are met with the declaration thai
it is necessary to pay The national debt. Now tha
a small surplus has accumulated under its opera
tions, instead of applying it to the extinction of th
debt, we urged to petition Congress for 1t, tc
pay the debts of the Rail Roads.
Mr.. Speaker, the policy Of connecting the State
with works of internal improvement, is one which
can never favor. / believe it 10 be wrong ir
principle, and dangerous in practice. But whcr
the unholy union has been consummated, Ohougt
! u Uc ny dHn Iuc IuSI III I'AS
community who would be willing TO shun the re
sponsbIity of providing for the cost, by casting
the burden Of payment upon the Federal Govern
ment To do so would be to make the Fedora
Government the tax gatherer, and the State gov
ernments the tax consumers-thus removing one
of the greatest and most snlutary checks npor
prodigal expenditure, and at the same time aim
! ing vital blow at the sovereignty and Indcpend
ence of the States. Ours is government, whtth
ct State or N,tionaI, in which the people rulr
1t is supported by the people in peace, and defend
eG by them in war The Government belongs tc
the people, and not the people to the government
How strange then that under such government
there should be found a large party advocating
the imposition of heavy burdens upon the people
in order to raise money for distribution 10 the
same people, diminished too by the cost of eollec
tion and distribution. I submit to the Senate
whether such policy be wise or just whether il
be consistent with the theory of our Government
or suited to the character and genius of our peo
pie.
In the course which have marked ont for
myself on these resolutions may stand alone, bu
if do, l have peace within, and the proud con
ISOLATION of knowing that l stand nnw where the
able and faithful representative (Dr-eHall Of no
bic old Edgecomb stood in 1886 Upon the ques
tion of the reception of Philips gold, he alone o
the whole republican Phalanx stood firm. resisted
the gilded bait, fought the fight and keptthe good
i old Republican faith. .. ...