Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1853-05-21
MRssRs. cRAIGE AND OSBORNE.

folloWingssketch of the discussion between these
gentiemea before the people Of Union County.
Mr. Craige, We learn, is fully sustaining his high
reputation as pnbHcspeakcr His election is re-
garded as certain. The Democrats article is as
follows
Discussions AT MoNRoe. On Tuesday the can
ddates for Congress met at Monroe, and addressed
the people upon the questions now al Issue between
the parties. MIR. Craig led off in speech of
hours length. He commenced by stating that he
was the candidate for the Republican parry. that he
had not had the pleasure OF meeting the U MON De-
mocracy since lS40, when he addressed them during
the excitement of that eventful Period-when they
were depressed and overrun by a whirlwind of
citenent-got up by the hard cider and coon skin
humbuggery-since then the aspect of affairs have
changed: now they a triumphant and successful
majorlty-that the principles and measures he then
advocated are in successful operation, and even
knowledged to be by their opponents. Under
the operation of Democratic principles the country
has gone on 10 prosper beyond anything ever kno
in our previous history. He adverted ito thosesod
measures to show that the predictions of the Wings
had utterly failed-that the Independent Treasury,
great Democratic measure, had fully realized the
expectations of its friends and that the Tariff of 40
instead of bankruPtng the country had brought more
money into the Treasury than was required for an
economical administration of the government, and
that all interests had houIlshed under it, He then
adverled to the Inaugural address of President Pierce,
and dwelt with eoquence upon the bold and fearless
manner In which lhe COMPROMISE and the rights OF
the SldteS was endorsed In that document and showed
the importance of sustaining and party
the North who were sound upon those questions.
He then discussed at length the doctrine of the
distribution of the proceeds of the public lands among
the States he said THAT it unconstitutional and
inexpedent. that every President since the days of
Jefferson was opposed to it. He then read from
Mr. Calhoun's, Mr.. Folks, and Mr.. Rencher's
speeches against it.
By recurrence to fundamental principles he showed
it was repugnant TO the genius Of institutions,
had direct tendency to destroy the dependence OF
the representative upon his constilueLcy-of making
the States provinces OF the general government,
leading to consolidation, and building up magnif-
cent federal head at the
This territory has cost the government over three
hundred millions OF dollars which paid by in
direct taxation. Now 10 distribute these lands in the
possession of the Government is virtually 10 distr
buIe the duties themselves, which would make the
federal government the tax gatherer and disburser of
any amount that the cupiditY Of the Western States
and the urgency OF Northern CAPITALISTS might de-
mand. Where do the gentlemen get the power from
to distribute these lands We were taught 10 be-
lieVe that this government was Of Limited pow
eTs and that Congress had only the right TO exercise
powers clearly ranted necessary to carry out
that is granted. If Congress possessed this power
where is the Limitation? Ii il has right III Ben
nett's bill to denote TO North Carolina land for edu
catlonal purposes, why has not right to embark
in any scheme of Internal Improvements which it
may believe to be necessary II this doctrine is
correct The State Legislatures vote away much
money as they pease-the federal government steps
III as tax gaherer, collects the money and distributes
1t, which is Just assuming the debts of the States
The consequence would be that the South (the con-
sumeTs, therefore the tax payers,) would be ground
to dust by the increase of the tariff 1t would be re-
enacllng the bill OF denominations which came very
near driving one of Southern sisters into open
rebellion.
The distributing the public lands is worse
than that of the duties thenselves-for had the du-
ties been distributed in cash. the enormous expendi-
IF hIIn lands
would have been saved-the picking and stealing
commissions and salaries of federal officers retained
in the Treasury, and North Cardinals distrbutive
share would have been nearer twelve millions of
dollars In cash than million and half Of wilc
worthless, wolf-inhabited lands, situated in New
Mexico or on the lodges of the Rocky Mountains,
which could not be disposed Of even if we had it.
Mr. Osborne came out boldly in favor of Bennet's
land bill, which provides for giving North Carolina
one million five hundred thousand acres, while it
grants to Arkansas, little State, which paid little
none OF the money with which these lands were pur-
chased three millions five hundred thousand acres.
The policy of distributing lands now standing in
debted to taxation in the nett sum Of three hundred
millions of dollars, according to the statistics of
leading Whig) and that, too, in proportion TO fed
eral representation gratuitously nciing the gross
est inequality and injustice upon the old Southern
States, from which the duties with which the lands
were purchased were almost exclusively raised.
The simple doctrine-the impregnable position Of
Inc republican party Is, that the lands bought with
the revenues raised by taxation, should be economic
cally and honestly sold by the federal government,
and then the proceeds applied to the extnguishment
OF the amount they stand indebted the revenues.
and then dImInution pro fantO OF the customs"
The sa nctloDing permission of any other appca-
ton of the proceeds makes inroad upon the
stItuton, fatal to its integrtya,a TO the sovereign
~ OF the Stales-fatal TO tho peace and security of
the South, and fatal, later 10 the existence
of the Union itself If funds raised from customs
be allowed to be invested in public lands that they
may be distributed among the States, the next step
will be that customs will be raised for the express
purpose of like distribution; under which system
the South which pays almost the whole of the
toms, will be brought under grinding and inexora-
Bile tribute to the North.
The distinction cannot be maintained between
money raised for direct distribution and money raised
for investment in lands intended to be distributed.
distributed, will be produced in the public
treasury, and increase of tariff will necessarily
follow.
In view of these facts, Mr. Craige then urged upon
the Republican party to stand by their ancient faith
he said it was question-it was portion of
the great American system. originated by Mr.. Clay,
and afterwards vetoed by Gen. jackson and MIR.
Tyler. The principles involved old as the
Constitution itself, and exhibit the antagonism
between absolute consolidation and simple confeGer.
alton. Mr.. Craiges views upon this question seemed TO
meet the appreciation of almost the entire crowd
his speech repeie with sound arguments and
facts, and had powerful effect. Our time is so
limited that We have only given meager outline of
this mastery speech MIR. Craige also discussed
foreign policy Swallowed forth in the Presidents
Inaugural address, which will refer in
MIR. Osborne replied in his usually eloquent and