Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1852-12-01


The public land question has been before the
suntry for years. 1t has been discussed every
bre, and presented to public consideration in all
speets 1t is to say the least, vexed ques-
+n: and by many it is regarded as a most diff
| lt one. The policy of the Democratic Republi-
an party has been to dispose of these lands at fair
res to actual settlers, and to place the proceeds
5aeof in the Federal Treasury, to be applied to
he payment of the public debt, or to meet the cur
at expenses Of the common government. This,
We say, has been the policy of the Democratic
party and this policy, we must be permitted to
il, is founded in principle. No distribution Of
he proceeds Of the lands, as such, has ever been
r4a. In 1886; after the public debt had been
id off under Gen. Jackson's Administration, and
then the Treasury was full to overfowing, the
nplus revenue, as it was called, was deposited
n0ng the several States according to their Feder-
population and of this surplus North Carolina
Reired some fourteen hundred thousand dollars.
portion of the proceeds of the lands was, Of
slns, included in this deposite, but how much no
rs could tell, as it is impossible, after these pro
eds are once paid into the Treasury, to discrimi-
aa between them and monies received from 9TH
FNuees No condition was annexed to this de-
kGe, except that the money should be returned
the States whenever called for by the Federal
Iaemment; but it is believed such call will never
b made If it should be, however, the people Of
be States would soon feel, most sensibly, by i'm
FEnsely increased taxation, what it is to rely on
Feleral bounty.
We are as much opposed as any one can be to
bat policy which squanders the public lands on
Eaicular States, or which would yield them up,
thout some fair equivalent, to actual settlers 1t
lust be remembered, however, that these lands are
thin the limits Of new States; that the people Of
sse States are composed mainly of our own kin
bed and blood, who, as pioneers of civilization and
be government are levelling the forests and sub
ping the continent for us, in some measure, as
Flas for themselves; that, as consumers, they pay
taxes which 90 to swell the common revenue,
I'd that, as soldiers in time of war, they contri-
ute more than their full number to the common
thnee; that they need, more than we, the ad-
'atagges Of good roads, academies, and schools
ID such being the case, the government has been
aformly liberal towards them in its Legislation,
Nd this iberality has been sanctioned by the old
ates. But while we are thus liberal towards
sm We should be just to ourselves and we have
Y fullest confidence that Gen. Pierce-whatever
nOnations may be formed in Congress on the
'geet-will see to it, both in his recommendations
hat body and by his veto, if necessary, that
'ss lands shall not be squandered, but shall be
eSfly disposed of and their proceeds "sacredly
asd to the national objects specified in the Con.
aadon." And for the very reason, if for no 9th
that We repose this confidence in the incoming
sdent we willsuppose no case involving injustice
The old States-no scheme of pluhder, designed
enrich one section at the expense of another
Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof" 1
Wy Come, but we do not think it will. Ifit should
Will resist it; and if resistance prove unavailing
sshal then look to tie Constitution and the ma
ps OF our system Of government, and endeavo
act accordingly.
twill be seen, by reference to the Resolution
'en. Saunders, which we publish to-day, tha
~ gentlemanis Of opinion that our Senators an
representatives. in Congress ought to apply an
We for an application Of five hundred thousan
Us OF the public lands, or so much thereof q
y be necessary" to open the Inlet at or nea