Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-11-27
RALEIGH, SATURDAY, NOV. 81, 1852.
THE Public LANDs-NAGsHEAD, &c.

IVb
its aspects 1t is, to say the least, vexed ques-
+;on and by many it is regarded as most diff
cult one. The policy of the Democratic Republ-
can party has been to dispose of these lands at fair
prices to actual settlers and to place the proceeds
thereof in the Federal Treasury, to be applied to
the payment of the public debt, or to meet the cur
rent expenses of the common government. This,
we say has been the policy Of the Democratic
party; and this policy, we must be permitted to
add is founded in principle. No distribution OF
the proceeds of the lands, as such, has ever been
made. In 1886, after the public debt hao Deen
paid off under Gen. Jackson's ADMINISTRATOR alo
when the Treasury was full to overtiowlng, the
s,,rnlus revenue. as it was called, was deposited
among the several States according to their FEEDER
al population and of this surplus North Carohna
received some fourteen hundred thousand dollars
A norton of the proceeds of the lands was, OF
course included in this deposite, but how much no
necould tell, as it is impossible, after these pro-
ceeds are once paid into the Treasury, to dlscrml-
nate between them and monies received from oth-
or sources. No condition was annexed to this de-
nosite. except that the money should be returned
hT-t
Government but it is believed such call VIII never
he made. If it should be- however, the people OF
the States would soon feel, most senslbly, by I'M
menselv increased taxation, what it IS to rely on
Federal bounty.
We are as much opposed as any one can be to
that policv which squanders the public lands on |
rarticular States, or which would yield them up,
without some fair equivalent to actual settlers IL
must be remembered however, that these lands are
within the limits of new States that the people OF
these States are composed mainly OF our own KIN
dred and blood, Who as pioneers of civilization and
free government are levelling the forests and SUBJ
duino the continent for u.s., in some measure, as
we'll as for themselves; that consumers they pay
tarfEtaxes which 90 to swell the common revenue, |
and that as soldiers in time Of war, they contrl-
butte more than their full number to the common
defence that they need, more than we, the adj
vantages of good roads, academies, and schools
and such being the case, the government has been
uniformly liberal towards them in its Legislation,
and this iberaGty has been sanctioned by the old
States. But while we are thus liberal towards |
them we should be just to ourselves and we have
the fullest confidence that Gen. Pierce whatever
combinations may be formed in Congress on the !
subject-will see to it. both in his recommendations
to that body and by his veto, if necessary, that
these lands shall not be squandered, but shall be
properly disposed of and their proceeds "sacredly
applied to the national objects specified in the Con-
stituton." And for the very reason if for no 9th
err, that we repose this confidence in the incoming
Presdent,we willsuppose case involving injustice
to the old States-no scheme of plumber, designed
to enrich one section at the expense of another.
"Suffcient unto the day is the evil thereof" 1t |
may come, but do not think it will. fit should,
we will resist it; and if resistance prove unavailing,
we shall then look TO the Constitution and the ma
ture of our system of government, and endeavor
to act accordingly.
1t will be seen, by reference to the Resolutions
of Gen. Saunders, which we publish to-day, that
that gentlemanis Of opinion that our Senators and
Representatives in Congress ought to apply and
vote for an application of five hundred thousand
acres of the public lands, or so much thereof as
may be necessary" to open the Inlet at or near
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 i'm
portant portion of this State, but to the commerce
Of the whole country. 1t is national work, and, |
as such it has strong claims 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 go further than this-we would vote to |
instruct our Senators and request our Representa-
nves to demand this appropriation of the common
government, and to press it until success crowned
the effort. We confess we would not log-ro it, as
the saying is, for this 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 ats merits, in full confidence that its
merits would, at an early day, ensure the necessary
appropriation But suppose we apply for lands for
'nls purpose will not those new States which have
already received their millions of acres, and which
are applying for more, seize upon the application
luS made as justification and endorsement Of
nv very pohcy which we, of the old States, are all
l'eo IN resisting? And will not the old States
pN1 III tne'r clam also? And if So where will it
t tp;1 NO. II Nagsheadis to be opened-and we
~ 0"9"t 10 be-let lis demand the money,
"io let us urge the claim until II Is heard hooded
N'u 'ne appropriation made.
0en Saunders, it will be secn also takes Ground
i'"h contingency for g q d;str;h,,t;oo of tho