Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-07-03
For the Standard.
D1se11sstoN AT WADEsBOROUGH.~

oooordino tn Democratic principles. he salu TIC
bod time after time asked Gov Reid to tell nih'
and he now challenged him to tell MN, %netne[
+bora ever had been administration that had not
I,,;n;storod this Government according to Wing
principles?
Gov. Reid, in reply to this part Of Mr.. Kerr
speech, said that his competitor had propounded the
question in most solemn and triumphant manner
with view to create the impression that ne had
achieved a great victory in the argument he nao
previously replied to his competitor that the an
swer might involve wide field OF debate he
would endeavor to answer the gentle1nen, ' unS
whether it would be satisfactory to him ne couid
not tell. Now, before the gentlemen coulo III
fairness ask him this question, it was the duty OF
Mr.. Kerr and the leaders of the Wing party to tell
him what Wing principles are. Gov he'd SAD
the Democratic party had National Platform and
Mr. Kerr had Just read and commented on portions
of II. and he would thank Mr.. Kerr or any other
Wing to hand him the platform of National
Wing Convention. He did not ask for the one they
did not adopt or the one they expected to adopt
hereafter, but he wished platform of any measures
of public policy ever adopted at any Wing Ma
tional Convention. 1t appeared no one could turn
ish it, and why For the reason that Wing Ma
tiona Conventions did not adopt platforms OF their
principles. Mr.. Kerr had said Gen. Pierce was
blank. upon which the North could write one thing
and the South another. Now Gen. Pierce was not
the blank but the National Wing platforms were
the blanks upon which one thing might be written
South and another North. AS Mr.. Kerr could not
show him the written platform of National Wing
principles, he had no right to demand an answer
Gov Reid said that he had asked Mr. Kerr what
administration had ever been conducted upon Wing
principles. and he had answered Washington's and
Madsons. Gov Reid said that although he could
not find a National Wing platform, he could find
North Carolina Wing platform. In that plat
form there was but one practical question OF Ma
tional policy made issue, and that was the pro-
position to divide the public lands among the old
States Is not this the only National question
which thev urge? Gov. Reid said it would not do
to tell us that Washington and Madison were for a
Bank-or a Tariff for protection, for the North
Carolina Wing Convention had not decided in
favor of these measures. The Wing policy of dis
tributing the lands was then the only National
measure which that party presented. Now, said
Gov. Reid, if I can show that upon this question
the Democrats stand upon the Washington and
Madison platform, and that the modern leaders of
the North Carolina Wing party do not then the
gentleman and his party are bound to give it up!
How do the two parties stand on this question !?
The Wings say they opposed to giving the lands
to the new States, and so say the Democrats The
Wings say they are in favor of dividing the lands
among the States. The Democrats are i'll favor Of
keeping the land system under the control of the
General Government, and when the lands are sold
to apply the proceeds to defray the expenses of
the Government for the benefit of all the States,
which was just the policy that pursued during
Washingtons and Madison's Administrations. lie,
Gov. Reid, defed Mr.. Kerr to show that General
Washington Mr.. Madison advocated the
North Carolina Wing policy in regard to the Public
lands. 1t was too obvious to need further remark
that Mr. Kerr and the modern Wing leaders were
not upon the Washingtonian and Madisonian plat
form.
Gov Reid said if Mr. Kerr desired to know
whether the measures under which this wide spread
Republic had acquired prosperity and greatness,
unexamped in the history of Nations, had been
the result of modern Whig or of Democratic policy
he could answer him very easily, and he would
prove the truth of his answer, not by Democratic
authority alone, but by the words of Mr.. Kerr him
SELF when he asked Mr.. Kerr why the Wings
had promised so long to divide the public lands
among the States, and when they came into power
had failed to do so? Every Wing and every
Democrat present, knew that Mr. Kerr said the
reason they had not done so, was, that they never
had the power except in l94O and then John
Tyler turned traitor and prevented them from car
rying out their measures. If Mr. Kerr be correct
in this statement, then it follows of course, said
Gov R., that the people are not indebted to modern
Wing policy for the great measures which have
promoted the prosperity and happiness of the
country.
Gov. Reid said he had something further to tell
the people about the public lands. He was as
much opposed to the Homestead bill pending before
Congress as MIR. Kerr any one else When he
commenced the canvass, Mr.. Kerr and the Wing
party were declaring that Congress was giving the
public lands to the new States, and plundering and
defrauding the old States of their rights The case
they relied upon to prove their assertions was the
appropriation made for the Illinois Rail Road. This
they alleged was great outrage Now, said Gov
Reid, if this Illinois bill perperated this fraud and
outrage on the other States, Willard Fillmore was
bound to veto it. One line would have done the
work. Now Mr.. Kerr and the Wing leaders are
commencing Willard Fillmore as worthy of your
confidence and support, and insisting that he is
their first choice for President, WHILE according to
their own statements, he is signing bills to defraud
you out OF the public lands! If these appropria-
tons were right the Wings ought not complain of
them :; if they were, they allege, wrong and
fraudulent, then to say the least, they must have
been hasty and inconsiderate," and Mr.. Fillmore
ought to have vetoed them. Gen. Jackson was a
Democrat, and when Clay's land bill passed, he
thought it did the old States injustice and he re-
fused to sign it. This is the way for Wings to do.
Not while their President is signing bills to plumb
der you OF your lands, as they allege tell you at
the same time he is the man you ought to elect to
take care Of your rights
Gov. Reid said he had shown that this measure
was not recommended by Washington or Madison.
but the Democratic policy was the one adopted bv
those administrations, and he now wished to show
something further about this question A large
nOF&