North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-04-05

Mn. AsHE AT KENANsvILLe We were present at
DuPlin Superior court on Tuesday of last week, and
mao me pleasure OF hearing Hon. VIM. s. Ashe rem
der an account of his stewardship as member of the
late Congress, to his constituents Of DupIin
Al the commencement of his remarks he Expressed
himself DESTROYS of being candidate for reelection
bat this announcement made subject 10 the will
of the people, ascertained through convention or
otherwise as might be deemed expedent. He made
the thus early because private business
would demand his attention out of the State during
the months of June and July.
Mr.. Ashe reviewed briefly his course in the late
! Compress. He had opposed the series of measures
commonly known as the compromise acts. La the
late war with Mexico vast extent of territory had
been acquired he had neen unwilling 10 see his con-
siuents deprived of all possible chance of particle
patinp in the benefits of such acquisition. At the
session of Congress preceding the last, an effort to
secure to this acquisition territorial organization had
been defeated by eight Southern votes. NO sooner
was it known in California that Congress had refused
to grant it territorial Government, than It's Inhabl-
tanis proceeded to organize themselves into State
He unwilling that the mixed population OF that
State. should decide the controversy then pending be-
tween the North and the South. There was no EVIL
deuce that California contained that time the pop
uaton required enttle il to admission as State,
and the small number then there, had included with
in its limits territory as great in extent as the old
original thirteen States For these reasons he had
voted against the admission of California State.
He had also voted against the territorial Govern
ment for New Mexico. 1t had been formed by men,
bers of the Army, who possessed no authority to do
so, and included within its limits third of Texas.
The proper boundary of Texas a disputed 9nes-
ton, but the officers of the Army then IN New Mex
leo, had right to assume TO define It, TO satisfy
Texas $40, 600, 900 was offered her, which she
compelled to take. Thus his own constituents were
made to contribute out of their own pockets, TO pay
for territory from which they were excluded.
In this connection, Mr.. Ashe spoke of the Fugi-
tive slave law, which he said was not properly one
of the Compromise Acts-the law as 1t stands hav-
ing been offered by Mr.. Mason of Virginia and not
reported by the committee of thirteen. 1t but exc
cutes the Constitution. and he wished 1t to remain as
test Of Northern sentiment The responsibility
With the North it for them to decide wheth-
er the Union should stand.
The enormous expenses of the present Admnistra-
ton was next touched upon. For three years under
Tyler's Administration the average expenditures Of
years of Folks Administration, during the with
Mexico, Sal 900 900; and for three years Of Wing
Administration, the third being estimated and the APP
preparations already made average of $42 600 000
The present debt of the country $S7, 600, 600.
The old questions CT the Bank, ub-Treasury, &c.,
obsolete, but the friends Of protection still
in Congress. 1t was their policy to make the debt
large possible, to create seeming neces-
sty for increase of the tariff. The public lands
had been appropriated, and no revenue could De
pec,ed from them and the estimated expenses of the
Government for 1852, were $52, 600 900. The Ar
my and Navy were too expensive. He willing
to vote for and sustain tariff that would produce
revenue sufficient to meet the wants of the Govern
ment, but he would not vote to protect Northern
Manufactures at the expense of his constituents.
Several other points were touched upon, which it
is unnecessary for notice. So far as we could
learn, the citizens of DupIin are entirely satisfied
with the course of their Representative while in Con-
gress, and desire his reelection. We saw no one |
who thought it advisable necessary to call Con-
vention. Goldsborough Republican.