Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-12-14
Cbl S tan0ar0,
RALEIaH. wEDNEsDA DEC. II. 1853.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

the only State in the Confederacy IN which the peo-
pie are disturbed and harassedb by Wing politicians
on the subject of the public lands. In other States
the people well satisfied with the established
policy of the government in relation to the lands
and so thoroughly fixed in their notions that poll
ticians who endeavor to raise panic or clamor on
the "plunder" question, have but little attention
accorded them.
We have therefore, looked with small degree
of interest to what the President would say in his
Message ON the subject; and we come forward now
to declare once for ALL that not only satisfied
but gratified with the views he has expressed He
stands just where Washington, and Jefferson, and
Madison, and jackson, and Polk stood on this ques-
ton and what he says is well said and so clear,
that no misunderstood or misinterpret him.
He first shows that the land sales during the second
and third quarters of 1852 amounted to 1928, 6S7,
and for the second and third quarters of 1863 to
So 226 976; and the inference is clear that this in
of sales is due, in great measure to the pol
icy of granting alternate sections for improvements
which has seldom failed to produce the increase
ferred to. And yet this alternate section policy,
sanctioned by all former administrations, and par
ticularly by Mr.. Fillmore in signing the bill granting
land for the Illinois Railroad is strongly and habit
ually condemned by Wing papers and politicians in
this State
serve to show the views of the President on this
subject:
&c 1t is believed that experience has verified the
wisdom and justice Of the present system, with
gard to the public domain, il most essential partic
ularS.
You will perceive from the report of the Secretary
of the INTERIOR that opinions which have often been
expressed in relation to the operation of the land
system, not being source of revenue to the fed
era treasury, erroneous. The net profits from
thn sale Ofth liz tO In
ed to the of fifty-three million two hundred
and eighty nine thousand four hundred and sixty
five dollars.
recommend the extension of the land system over
the Territories of Utah and New Mexico, with such
notifications their pecuarites may allow
Regarding our public domain chiefly valuable
to provide homes for the industrious and enterpri
sing, | am not prepared to recommend any essential
change in the land system, except by notifications
i'll favor Of the actual settler and extension of the
presumption principle in certain cases, for reasons,
and grounds, which will be fully developed in the
reports to be laid before you.
Congress, representing the propretors of the ter
ritoria domain, and charged especially with power
to dispose of territory belonging to the United States,
has for q long of years, beginning with the
administration of Mr. Jefferson exercised the power
to construct roads within the territories and there
are many and obvious distinctions between this
exercise Of power and that of making roads within
the States, that the former has never been consd
cred subject to such objections apply to the latter
and such may be considered the settled
Structlon OF the power of the federal government
| upon the subject.
| Numerous applications have been, and no doubt
will continue to be, made for grants of land iii aid
of the construction of railways 1t is not believed
to be within the intent and meaning of the constu
tion that the power to dispose of the public domain
should bc used otherwise than might be expected
from prudent proprietor, ad therefore, that grants
of land to aid in the construction of roads should be
restricted to cases. where it would be for the interest
of proprietor, under like circumstances, thus to
| contribute to the construction of these works. For
the practical operation of such grants thus far in
advancing the interests of the States in which the
works located, and at the same time the substsn-
tia interests of all the other States, by enhancing
the value and promoting the rapid sale of the public
domain refer you to the report of the Secretary OF
the Interior. \ careful examination, however, VIII
show that this experience is the result of just dis
T elimination and will be far from atfording encour-
agement a reckless or indscrimnatc extension OF
! the principle"
He first expresses his confidence in the wisdom
and justice of the present land system; he next
adverts to the fact that the Report of the Secretary
of the Interior will show that the net profits from
the sales of public lands, up to june 1858, amount
| ed to the large sum of $50, 2S9, 465; he then
| ommends not change in the system, but an extern
sion of it over Utah and New Mexico he next speaks
of the light in which he regards the public domain,
and then proceeds to give his opinions which we
regard entirely sound to the power of the gov
ernment over the lands and the rule which should
prevail in making grants of alternate sections. We
invite particular attention to the last paragraph
have quoted. The President declares it the duty of
the government, in disposing of the public domain
to do prudent proprietor y" and he holds
that grants of lands for Railroads should be re-
stricted to cases. where it would be for the interest
of proprietor, under like circumstances, thus to
contribute to the construction of these works" 1t
! is evident that bills granting alternate sections
| for Railroad purposes, of which Wing politicians
complain, and which Mr. Fillmore approved, will
meet no favor at the hands of Gen. Pierce. He will
act for the government just as he would for himself
under similar circumstances; schemes of (" land
plunder and bills to grant lands in where the
reserved sections cannot be enhanced in price, will
not only encounter his disapprobation in their incep
ton but he will put his veto upon Them if necessary
to protect the public domain. These the positions
! which the Republican party has uniformly main
/ tanned this question.
Distribution, whether of the lands or their pro-
ceeds cannot take place uder Gen. Pierces admin
istration. His Message leaves not the slightest
ground for hope the subject by those in favor of
such policy He is not only silent in regard to dis
tribution--he not only declines to recommend any
such measure to Congress, but he expressly bears
testimony to the ''wisdom and justice" of the pres
ent policy, and recommends its extension and per-
petuation.
| hy5e We had the nleasi,ra on Sunday, forenoon