North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-03-08
LAND FOR THE INSANE.

We observe, in the proceedings of the House of
REPRESENTATIVES of the Sd of March, that Mr.. Stanly
moved to take up tie Senate bill making grants OF
land to the several States of the Union for the beneh
of the INDECENT insane; and that, Mr. Jacob Thomp-
son Directing, Mr.. Staly moved to suspend the rules
which motion not agreed to-yeas lOo, nays %.
So the bill which had passed the Senate aPProPri-
tino some ten or twelve millions of acres OF land for
this purpose, was defeated in the House. The Raj
Register noticing this bill in its issue of the LIST
instant, says:
uNorth Carolina is embarrassed with heavy labil-
flies and here is Legitimate and proper opportunity
for her to relieve herself of portion OF her burdens
the man will have courage, who, lnThe lace OF these
Ects will advise against taking the share to which
North Carolina may be entitled. Such course might
do in the land where INTEREST," so OTTER MADE 10 yeio
to distractions but doubt whether any man in
North Carolina would venture JUST no" 10 aoopt IT.
What saws the Standard
Now. we should like to know what Congress has
70 do with the INDECENT insane of North Carolina
What mart of the Federal Constitution gives to that
bodv the right to distribute the public lands among
the States with the condition annexed that they shall
be applied to this purpose or to that! The public
lands belong to the States ointIy and it is the duty
of Congress, as the agent OF the States to manage
them to the best advantage for the good and benefit
of the whole AS emigration progresses, and as there
is demand for them, let them be sold by the gov
eminent and the proceeds put in the general Treasury
to defray the common expenses; and let the prices
asked for them be as low as may be compatible with
the public interests, that the hardy pioneer shall
not be embarrassed oppressed in his efforts to Sc
cure for himself freehold and home. This is the
true policy.
One of the most alarming signs of the times, is the
eageness with which many of the States are crowd
ing around the Federal head, and asking bountes and
privileges, either in the way of direct appropriations
from the Treasury in immense gifts of the public
lands. The mestrom at Washington City seems to
have drawn the sovereign States into its fearful
circle and the day is not Distant if this policy should
prevail, when those who made the Federal Govern
ment, and gave it certain specific powers for gen.
era purposes, will be Frustrated before it, acknowl-
edgIng it their sovereig On and master, and begging
for its favors, its protection, and its smiles.
We are opposed to the distribution of the public
lands, or their proceeds among the States, care
in what shape the proposition may be presented;
and especially, at this time, would we hold North
Carolina back, if had the power, from asking ia
from Massachusetts and Vermont.
The Register alludes to the embarrassed condition
of our Treasury, and says the man will have corr
age, who, in the face these facts will advise against
taking the share to which North Carolina may be
entitled" We can tell that paper that there is
" man. who has the " courage to follow princi-
pie and to do right, regardless of consequences. We
know the State is in debt-deeply in debt; but we
had rather see her poor and in debt, and honest, and
under obligations to the Federal government for
favors and bounties, than to see her enjoying the
&c spoils' derived from divided millions, and at
the same time tributary in her resolves and her
ton to her own agent and creature. The Register
perceive danger in these schemes of consolidation
to the rights of the States and the liberties of the
pie. No wonder That paper looks at every thing of
this character through the old John Adams specta-
cles; and if Congress should appropriate one mill
lion of dollars to the North Carolina Rail Road with
the condition that said Road should run upon bee
line, for instance, to Charlotte, we can have doubt
the Register would advocate the acceptance of the
appropriation and go into argument to show that it
was all right.
1t Congress may provide for the &c INDECENT insane''
of the different States, what is prevent that body
from providing also for their INDECENT - Door And
If 1t may thus provide with conditions does it not
that extent, direct2 And if it may now partially d.
rect and CONTROL may it not, or fifteen years hence
direct and control entireLy2 The General Govern
has its orbit and the States have thers and there
no safety to the people their liberties when these
bounds passed. 1t should be leading object with
every true Republican to keep both within the circle:
allotted to Them for it in this way only that thu
system can be preserved in its purity and the Unier
maintained.
RALEIGH AND CASTOR ROAD.