The North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1834-1850, 1850-05-29

benefit of her own people, benefit in which one
fourth of her entire population are to SHARE Thes
are advantages about which think cannot be mis-
taken, if the same causes are to produce the sam
effects here they have done elsewhere. And here
sir, might end the task have taken upon mysel
of recommending the charter and the Road to you
favorable notice, but that find myself called upo
to vlndicate the active part which have taken u
sustaining and encouraging the measure.
Mr.. Chairman, am charged with political incon
sistency-with sowing the seed Of discord amongs
my political iends-with breaking up its ties by ad
vocating doctrines inconsistent with the principles
the democratic party-and with denounclng thos'
who may differ from me in regard to this great meas
ure. These, sir, are serious charges, and it wei
founded, 1 should consider myself as not only un
grateful but richly deserving the severes censurt
Of those whose good opinion have hitherto enjoyed
But sir say the charge is not only untrue, but as
expect to show you. is without foundation. clain
supporter of the of Internal Improvements; o.
avowng this doctrine openly and upon all suitable
occasions, without concealment or equvoca ton. And
have ever been taught to believe the rights of the
State, the sovereignty of the States the improve
nent and prosperity of the States, as one OF the great
pillars upon which rest the fame Of the democratic
party. shall show you, if there be Inconsistency
in regard to this question: that charge does not rest
with Thirty-ive years since, first entered the
Legislature representing my native County, and that
claiming to be, and most justly so, amongst the most
intelligent and Republican in the State. That Coun-
for its Senator in the year 1915, citizen then among
the most popular men in the community That citizen
still lives amongst us-a Republican then, Demo
crat now. He was my friend then, and am proud
still to consider him. He was my senior, and |
did not hesitate follow his lead. The Governor,
ndadf ho ut
the Internal improvement of the State. The mes
sage was referred to committee Of the Senate, who
very able and patriotic report. came to the con-
cusion IS that the time had come when 1t behoved
the Legislature of North Carolina to provide eth
cently for the improvement Of the State. For this
improvement, the committee recommended the lncor-
poraton of Stock-companies-the State to take one
third of the Sock-to create Board OF Internal I'M
provements, and the State to be at the expense OF
employing skilfu Engineer, with an Assistant
For this proposition and the various appropriations
which grew out Of it, your Senator voted. !hat
Senator was Gen. Barzila Graves-the friend of the
cause then its supporter STILL These measures pass
ed the Senate by very decided nlaorty-that ster-
ing Republican and honest man, George Bower, OF
Ashe, heading the yeas. In the House of Com
mons, concur:ing with the resolution OF the Sen
ate, the vote stood SO yeas, 70 nays; and l am
proud to find my own name with that OF my col
league, Bedford Brown, amongst the yeas. The
subject was thus brought directly before the people,
the question was fully discussed during the canvass,
end the cause of Internal Improvement, e'nbodying
the principle of subscription by the State, was tr-
umphantly sustained. In the Senate, of which body
was then member, committee reported 3" that
having commenced the great work OF Internal lm-
provement, it was the duty of the Legislature to
persevere''; and this Resolution was carried by an
almost unanimous vote. In the House OF Commons,
on the question Of concurrence, the vote stood 81
yeas. "a nays; and upon other questions OF apPro-
bx,Sh Sho tho u0to
Such was the Republican doctrine then, establish
ing the principle of State subscriptions doctrine
which has been sustained since, and which have
never heard questioned until the present. We have
indeed had party chickering's and ordinations and re-
ordinations about relief bills for the Castor Road
but that had nothing to do with the question OF the
porer of the Legislature to make appropriations for
Internal Improvements. Such, sir, was the doctrine
under which | first entered political ilte-such the
principle of State subscription and whether 1t be
onethird two-thids does not change the principle
which have supported since, and by this principle
am prepared still to stand repeat, sir, the cause
of Internal Improvement has been at all times MAIN
tanned by the Democratic party. even to the creation
of State debt and that too by many of those who
now deny that it is the doctrine Of the party. In
1884 we had an Internal improvement Convention,
attended, who supported the doctrine,
and who resolved that it was expedent for the State
to borrow flee millions Of dollars for the purpose OF
carrying it on. In 1887 we had similar Conven-
ton, in which it was proposed to borrow Three mil
lions. The committee who prepared the memorial
and submitted the proposition to the Legislature,
was composed of three Democrats and three Wings.
In 1910, 1912, and 1874 you had, as the Democratic
candidates for Governor, gentlemen who had pro-
posed and sanctioned these measures, and they were
supported by the united vote Of the party. But sir,
90 further, and challenge those gentlemen who de-
ny this principle to tell me where will they find this
recent doctrne that it is anti-democratc for the State
TO make Internal improvements Is it to be found
in the veto message of Andrew Jackson on the Mays
vile road bill! 1t is in vain you look for any such
doctrine in that able State paper. There, indeed,
you will find denial to Congress of the power to
appropriate the public money to works OF Internal
Improvements, when it became necessary to assert
Federal jurisdiction. The veto does indeed admit
the right to make appropriations by Congress to
works undertaken by the State authority, where the
jurisdiction has been ceded but it expressly de-
clares the opinion of the noble author that it is mex
pedient for Congress to make any such apPropria'
tions, as such works properly belong to the States
In the veto message Of President Polk on the River
and Harbor bills you find these constitutional doc.
trines carried still further. Is it necessary that
should invoke the name of one, whose star has jus
sunk beneath the Southern horizon, but whose fame
will live SO long as the Constitution shall have al
admirer or the rights and sovereignty of the States
a votary' What, may ask, gave character to Joh'
G. Calhoun, but his devotion to the rights OF tn
States? think then, Mr.. Chairman those brigh
names and the proceedings to which have adverted
will shield against the charge Of having deserte'
the doctrines of the Democratic party. l might in
deed have called in question the conduct and conss
tency of some who are now declaring against tn
supporters of this measure. l forbear to do so. a
my object has not been and is not now, to proscrib
others, but to defend myself and those who think an
act with me.
As to what may have said on some occasions, 9
which there has been complaint, have said, ha
understood it to be the doctrine of the Democrat