Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-12-01


people of the West and trusted the day would come
when the mountain barriers should be broken down
and the frozen. icy difficulties which bind them should
melt away beneath the breath of the iron morse
as he dashed through the mountain defles-when the
man of the mountains. though he could not,
Is Lay his hand upon the ocean name
And play familiar with his hoary locks"
could at least converse. by the touch OF the wires,
with the man of the ocean. He had no old opinions
TO giUe and to adrian ce IN regard to the
public lands. He never had said that the opening
of Nagshead by the General Government was uncon-
stitutiona. In Congress he bad voted against what
he considered wild and Unconstitutional schemes of
internal improvements by the General Government,
which proposed to clear out rivers and make other
improvements local in their character.
Mr.. Cherry interrupted by asking Mr.. D. if he
would have voted for the bill known the river and
harbor bill, if he had been in Congress during the
last session.
MI D. replied that he would not, as he believed
the bill contained some unconstitutional features. He
objected to the LIST resolution offered by the gentle
man from Wake, because he (Mr. D. wanted Nags-
head opened by the money OF the General Govern
ment, and to have it done by appropriating any
portion of our share of the public lands. For them
if under contingency provided for in his End res
olution we claim our share of the lands they would
deduct the 100000 acres. Another objection was
that any lands belonging to North Carolina and ly-
ing another State mil ht be taxed 80 exorbltany
to compel sell them at price even far be-
low their real value. He understood that Nagshead
had been surveyed, and that the opening OF it was
practicable, at cost of about 100000. An apPro-
priatlon of such a sum, in connexIon with other
schemes costing from one TO two and three hundred
thousand dollars. could not be carried through Con-
gress, and he in favor of 1t separate and dis
tinct proposition. He in favor Of striking out
the alternative" SOC, 900 acres of land'-in the
1st solution. He had always understood 1t to be
the policy Of the democratic party that the public
lands should be sold gradually and the proceeds be-
part of the of the government, to help
pay its expenses He still in favor OF thatpol-
cy; but if it TO become the settled policy OF
Congress to give a,cny the lands to the new States,
then he presumed all, wings and democrats, would
protest and demand North Cardinals share of the
public domain but he had faith that Gen. Pierce
would discountenance wasteful giving away of the
lands.
Mr. Leach hoped that his resolutions would pass
without any amendment. He had no objection TO an
additional resolution instrucing Senators and re-
questing Representatives to endeavor to get an
appropriation Of money 10 open Nagshead. He
called for division of the question-rst striking
out.
Mr.. Philips, Of Orange, commended that if it was
unconstitutional to divide the proceeds of the public
lands it equally unconstitutional to divide the
lands themselves, and expressed the belief that Gen.
PIERCE in accordance with the platform of the Dem
ocratic convention. would any bill for div iding
either the proceeds the lands among the States.
He did not how any democrat. endorsing that
platform, could vote for any such distribution.
Mr.. Saunders said the gentleman from Orange,
should be satisfied if he (Mr. s. voted for any such
distribution, and should leave him to keep his own
conscience, he could give the vote without any
conscientious scruples.
Mr.. Miller. of Caldwell, moved to lay the resolu-
tons on the table and make them the order of the
day for Monday next, which did not prevail
Mr.. Dobbin moved to strike out " or 100000 acres
of land' in the first resolution. which prevailed.
He then moved to strike out portion of the 2nd
resolution, which did not prevail.
Mr.. Avery, of Burke, moved to amend the amend
ment by providing that the public lands should be
preserved the property of the General Government
upt nat debt proceeds
be divided among the States.
Mr. A. said he would sooner vote for distribution
of the proceeds of the public lands than of the lands
themselves; but would resist all propositions to vote
away such lands until the public debt paid.
Then he would 60 for depositing the proceeds with
the States.
ton OF the proceeds of the public lands unconstitu
tional.
Mr.. A. said he had ever maintained that it was not
constitutional. The lands assigned to North Caro-
lima might not be worth 100000.
Mr.. Caldwell, of Guilford, asked if the public
lands did not cost more than they brought into the
treasury.
Mr.. A. said he was willing to concede that fact,
and it then followed that the subject of dividing the
proceeds among the States all humbug and if
the General Government could not so manage the
lands to render them profitable could North Car
ona do it q? he believed, with the. gentleman from
Orange, that Gen. Pierce would veto any such dis
tribution bill.
Mr.. Strange, of New Hanover, said there was
material dlHerence between the distribution OF the
proceeds Of the public lands and of the lands them
selves. The proceeds, paid into the treasury,
could not be distinguished from moneys derived from
other sources. He had confidence in Gen. Pierce
that he would any bill distribute the proceeds.
Mr.. Wiley, of Guilford, moved to adjourn, but
withdrew it for Mr. Spruill to offer resolution ten
dering the of the Hall to- the friends of Internal
improvement tonight, which adopted.
On motion of Mr.. Cherry, communication from
the Treasurer referred to the committee on FL
nance.
On motion of Mr.. Avery the bill concerning the
Cape Fear and Deep river navigation company was
made the special order for Tuesday next, and
The House adjourned.
SENATE. i
MONDAY, November 90, 1852.
Mr.. Gilmer introduced memorial from citizens of