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

Nagshead. This work, it is believed on good au-
thority, can be effected; and, when effected, it
cannot fail to be of benefit not merely to an inn
portant portion of this State, but to the commerce
OF the whole country. 1t is national work, and,
as such it has strong claims on Congress. Instead
OF an appropriation of FIVE hundred thousand acres
OF land, we should prefer to see an appropriation
OF five hundred thousand dollars, if necessary; and
we would 60 further than this-we would vote to
instruct our Senators and request our Representa-
tves to demand this appropriation Of the common
government and to press it until success crowned
the effort. We confess we would not log roll it, as
the saying is, for this or any other measure; but
as friend to the improvement, and as one who
would see the old State receive what is justly due
her from the government we would advocate the
measure on its merits, in full confidence that its
merits would, at an early day, ensure the necessary
appropriation. Butsuppose we apply for lands for
this purpose, will not those States which have
already received their millions of acres, and which
are applying for more, seize upon the application
thus made as justification and endorsement of
the very policy which we, Of the old States, all
united in resstings And will not the old States
put in their claim also? And if so, where will it
ends No, if Nagsheadis is to be opened-and we
think it ought to be-let us demand the money,
and let US urge the claim until it is heard needed,
and the appropriation made. \
Gen. Saunders, it will be seen, also takes ground
in certain contingency, for "a distribution of thd
lands," Ga deposte with the States of their prof
ceeds said proceeds to be invested by theLegy
islatures in such stocks they may direct, and to
be returned, whenever called for in such stocks as
may have been selected %; and in reply to Col.
McNeill, of Robson, on Monday last, Gen. 'Saun-
ders said he would vote noa0 for such distribution
or deposite. The government, it is true is in debt
some sixty millions of dollars; but Gen. Saunders
thinks this debt can soon be discharged, and that
the government will not therefore, need these pro-
ceeds for the current expenses But why not re-
tain them to meet in part, these expenses, and re-
duce the tariff taxes in proportions Why tax the
people with one hand and distribute money to them
with the other
But suppose this deposite should be made, as
proposed by Gen. Saunders, and the money invest
ed in Railroad stocks, and the government should
call for it-what thens Why, it is to be return
ed, whenever called for, in such stocks may have
been selected .; and suppose the Federal govern
nent should be paid in Railroad stocks, aouH not
| that government thereby become the oa0ner Of the
Roads, And if so, what could the State say or
do in their management Would not such a pol
icy result IN transferring State Jurisdiction and
State poavers to Washington Citys
There are other points involved in this question
which we should like to notice, but lack of space
prevents us from doing so. Wemay have more to
say hereafter. Meantime it is but proper in itself
and but just to Gen. Saunders to add, that we are
seeking no controversy with him, nor with any one
else. We have only uttered our honest thoughts
we have but reiterated Democratic principles as
we understand them, and by those principles, hap
pen what may, we expect to stand. Men die, but
principles are immortal.