Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1851-03-12
LAND FOR THE INSANE.

We observe. in the proceedings of the House oil
Representatives of the Sd of March, that Mr. Stany
moved to take up tie Senate bill making grants Of
land to the several States of the Union for the bene
of the INDECENT insane; and that, Mr.. Jacob Thomp.
son obeeting, Mr. Stanly moved to suspend the rules,
which motion was not agreed to-yeas lOs, nays 6s.
So the bill which had passed the Senate, appropri-
ang some ten or twelve millions of acres of land for
this purpose, was defeated in the House. The Raj
egh Register noticing this bill in its issue of the lst
instant, says:
"North Carolina is embarrassed with heavy liabil.
tiles, and here is Legitimate and proper opportunity
for her to relieve hersefof portion of her burdens
the man will have courage, who, in the face of these
facts, will advise against taking the share to which
North Carolina may be entitled. Such course might
do in the land where interest is otter made TO yield
to distractions but we doubt whether any man in
North Carolina would venture just now to adopt it.
What says the Standard g."
Now, we should like to know what Congress has
to do with the INDECENT insane of North Carolina
What part of the Federal Constitution gives to that
body 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 jointly; and it is the duty
of Congress, 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 a 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 may be compatible with
the public interests so that the hardy pioneer shall
not be embarrassed oppressed in his efforts to
cure for himself freehold and a home. This is the
true policy.
One of the most alarming signs of the times, is the
eagerness 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 melstrom at Washington City seems to
have drawn even the sovereign States into its fearful
crce and the day is not Distant if this policy should
prevail, when those who made the Federal Govern
ment and gave to it certain specific powers for gen.
eral purposes. will be prosrated before it, acknow-
edgng it as their sovereign and master, and begging
for its favors, it's protection, and its smiles.
We are opposed to the distribution of the public
lands, their proceeds among the States, we care
not 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
vors at the hands of the Representatives in Congress
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 othese facts, will advise against
taking the share to which North Carolina may be
entitled" We can tell that paper that there is one
s. man" who has the 'courage' to follow princi-
pie and to do right, regardless of consequences. We
H. Co. =: - = Ill
had rather her poor and in debt, and hoest, and
under obligations to the Federal government for
favors and bounties, than to see her enjoying the
"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 pso
ple No wonder. That paper looks at every thing Of
this character through the old John Adams specta.
cles; and if Congress should appropriate one mil
lion of dollars to the North Carolina Rail Road, with
the condition that said Road should run upon bee
line, for instance, to Charlotte, have doubt
the Register would advocate the acceptance of the
appropriation and 60 into an argument to show that it
was all right.
Congress may provide for the +" INDECENT insane''
OF the different States. what is to prevent that body
from providing also for their ' INDECENT poor? And
II may thus provide with conditions, does it not, to
that extent, direct? And if it may now partially d.
rect and contro may it not ten or fifteen years hence,
direct and control entirely? The General Govern
mas Its orbit and the States have theirs and there is
no safety to the people their berties when these
pounds are passed. 1tshoud bel leading object with
every tue Republican to keep both within the circles
allotted to them; for it is in this way only that the
system can be preserved in its purity, and the Union
maintained.