Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1853-05-25
MEsSRs. CRAIGE AND OSBORNE.


We copy from the last Charlotte Democrat the
following sketch of the discussion between these
gentlemen before the people of Union County.
Mr. Craige, we learn, is fully sustaining his high
reputation as public speaker. His election is re-
garded as certain. The Democrats article is as
follows:
"DIscussIoN AT MoNRoe. On Tuesday the can.
didates for Congress at Monroe, and addressed
the people upon the questions at issne between
the parties. MIR. Craig led off in speech of an
hours length. He commenced by stating that he
was the candidate for the Republican party that he
had not had the pleasure of meeting the Union De-
mocracy since 1910, when he addressed them during
the excitement Of that evenlful 2eriod-when they
were depressed and overrun by a whirlwind Of ex-
citement-got up by the hard cider and coon skin
humbuggeTy-since then the aspect Of affairs have
changed: now they triumphant and successful
majority-,hat the principles and measures he then
advocated in successful operation, and even ac
knowedged to be correct by their opponents. Under
the operation of Democratic principles the country
has gone 10 prosper beyond anything ever kno wn
in previous history. He adverled to those old
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 46
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 fourshed under it He then
advered to the Inaugural address Of President Pierce
and dwelt with eoquence upon the bold and fearless
manner in which the Compromise and the rights OF
the States endorsed in that document, and showed
the importance of sustaining a man and party at
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 was unconstitutional and
xpedient, that every President since the days of
Jefferson was opposed TO it, He then read from
Mr.. Calhouns, Mr.. Polk's, and MIR. Rsncher's
| speeches against it.
By recurrence TO fundamental principles he Showed
it repugnant TO the genius Of institutions,
had direct tendency to destroy the dependence oil
the representative upon his constitueIcy-of making
the States provinces of the general government,
leading to consolidation, and building up magnih-
! cent federal head at the centre.
! This territory has cost the government over three
hundred millions OF dollars which was paid by in
direct taxation. Now distribute these lands in the
possession of the Government is virtually 10 distrl
buie the duties themselves, which would make the
federal government the tax gatherer and dsburser Of
any amount that the cupdiiy Of the Western States
and tie urgency OF Northern a-ltasts 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 one Of limited pow
ers and that Congress had only The right to exercise
powers clearly rahed necessary TO carry Out one
that is granted If Congress possessed this power
where is the Limitation! Ii it has right as E Ben.
ne,t's bill denote to North Carolina land for edu
cational purposes, why has il not Alright to embark
in any scheme Of Internal Improvements which il
may believe to be necessary Ii this doctrine is
correc, the Slate Legislatures vote away as much
money as they please-,he federal government steps
in gatherer, collects the money aud distributes
it, which is just assuming the debts of the States.
The consequence would be that the South (the
snners, therefore the tax payers would be ground
TO dust by the increase Of the tariff II would be re-
enacting the bill Of denominations which came very
near driving of our Southern sisters into open
rebellion.
The distributing the public lands is
than that of the duties the,nselves-for had the du-
ties been distributed in cash, the enormous expendi-
lures attending the management of the public lands
would have been saved--the picking and stealing
commissions and salaries Of federal officers retained
in the Treasury, and North Cardinals disirbulive
share would have been twelve millions of
dollars in cash than million and half of will :,
worthless, wof.inhabited lands, situated in New
Mexico the lodges of the Rocky Mountains,
which could not be disposed OF ven if we had it.
MIR. Osborne came out boldly in favor of Bennei's
land bil', which provides for giving North Carolina
one million five hundred thousand acres, while il
grants to Arkansas, little Stale. which paid little
none of the money with which these lands pur-
chased, three millions five hundred thousand
The policy of distributing lands now standing in
debled to taxation in ,he nett SUN of three hundred
millions Of dollars, according to the statistics of
leading Whig) and that, too. in proportion to fed
eral representation, grauousy inActng the gross
est inequality and injustice upon the old Southern
States, from which the duties with which the lands
We're purchased almost exclusively raised.
Z" The simple docirine-,he impregnabe position Of
the republican party is, that the lands bought with
tie revenues raised by taxation, should be econorn.
cally and honestly sold by the federal government,
and then the proceeds applied 10 the extnguishnen
Of the amount they stand indebted TO the revenues
and then diminution pro tanto OF the customs"
The sa nctionng permission of any other appca
ton of the proceeds makes an inroad upon the
st,u,on, fatal its integry-faaI to the sovereign
ty OF the Siates-ata 10 the peace and security Of
the South, and fatal, later, TO the existence
of the Union ITSELF If funds raised from customs
J., be allowed 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 expires
purpose Of like distribution under which system
the South which pays almost the whole Of the GUS
toms. will be brought under grinding and inexora-
BILE tribute to the North.
, The distinction cannot be maintained between
money raised Tor direct distribution and money raised
for investment in lands intended to be distributed
If the funds arising from the sale Of public lands be
distributed, vacuum will be produced in the public
treasury, aud increase of tariff will necessarily
follow.
In view of these facts, Mr.. Craige then urged upon
the Republican party to stand by their ancen, faith
he said it was no queslion-it was portion oi
the great American system, originated by Mr. Clay
and afterwards vetoed by Gen. Jackson and Mr..
Tyler. The principles involved are as old as the
Constitution itself, and exhibit the same antagonisn
between absolute consolidation and simple confeter.
alton. Mr. Craiges views upon this question seemed
n meet the appreciation Of almost the entire crowd
h. his speech was repleie with sound arguments and
' facts, and had powerful effect. Our time is sc
limited ,ha. We have only given meager outline o