Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1853-06-22
For tie Standard
MESSRS IslE WIS. AMI VEN 8 III Il

MESSRS EN- IS AN u VEcpA BIZ Is.
NIB. EDITOR: write 20 give yed an account Of
the " hich took place yesterday at Lonis-
bHfg betweeHthe two candidates. and 10 let yonand
yonr readers Know what the people Of franklin think
of the matter.
There has seldom been a political discussions in
this County which excited sosmuch interest was
displayed on this occasiop tits true Mr. Venable
was comparatively stranger. but then his name
was familiar ana the people Were anxious TO hear
him. On the other hand it was Mr. Lewis native
CouDty-the County in which he has always lived,
and which is very much attached to him and he was
for the first time before them candidate. These
things conspred TO attach great interest to the
slon and drew together large and eager assembage
The speeches of both were able and eloquent, and
received from the large audience the most profound
and respectful attention.
The mnst important points upon which they diff
Tered were The Cuba question, the Compromise meas
nres, the subFreasury, and Benefits Land Bill, but
dwelt mostly upon The last Mr.. Lewis contended that
in voting for this bill Mr.. Venable had violated one of
the cardinal principles of the Democratic pary-that
the Democrats have always held that The lands
the joint property of all the States. and should be
sold and the proceeds applied defray the expenses
of the general government-that this doctrine was
plainly decided by the Baltimore Convention which
nominated Pierce, of which Mr.. VenabIe was mem
ber-that it was likewise so declared by the Con-
vention which nominated Reid for Governor, and
that in voting for this bill of Bennes he had plainly
gone in direct opposition to the whole Democratic
party, and had thereby forfeited their patronagetha
he had acted with great Inconsistency in voting for
the resolution in the Baltimore Convention and in
ten days afterwards voting for Benefits land bill in
fiat contradiction of the resolution. He complained
likewise that Mr.. Venabe had not only voted for dis
tbuon contrary to tenets of his party, but for
unjust and unequal distribution in that this bill gave
to the States nearly all the public domain. and
leaving the old States but mere crumb and in the
name of common sense if Congress has right to
raise money to buy lands for the purpose oS giving
these lands away. it certainly can give the money
away, and to wha, extent of fraud and oppression
might not be carried Again, he took another Oh
lection 10 this bill. viz that it restricted the States
in the use of the money By requiring them 10 apply
it to particular purposes thereby reviving the Federal
doctrine that the States exercise authority only by
permission of the general government. Strange, he
thought, that States rights who had been I'M
der the instruction of Nathaniel Macon and John G.
Calhoun should consent that the general government
might dictate TO a sovereign State the DISPOSE
ton she should make Of her own property. Is our
State Legislature give up its authority Congress-
If this be Stale rights, let us have State
rights.
Mr.. Venabe labored hard To defend this BILL as
he did to justify his in all ether respects, bat
it was all in vain-Lewis exposed it at every point.
Indeed it is impossible even for Mr.. Venabe, with
all his ability and sophistry, 10 defend measure Sc
fraught with inequality. 1t was of the sharpest
weapons that the Democrats had to fight Kerr with
last sumner-it helped greatly to drag Scott to the
ground, and take it does not send Mr.. Venable
home to bless his family with His interesting society.
have never in my life seen but plausible
given for distribution if it equal, and that
Is, mat Dy ueprlTlng us OF the revenue from the
lands it creates necessity for high tarif-tbis
should suppose would not sound very sweet to
Democrats ear. But then when they come to plum
der the old States of all their interest in the public
lands TO build Railroads for the States, justice
cries for vengeance, and then see Democrat from
the Old North State joining in with the Wings
cCnpish this sinful purpose
Time and space will not allow me, Mr.. Editor, to
dwell upon the other points of difference between
then-they were discussed in equally spirited
manner. The victory the part OF Mr.. Lewis
was complete here.
Lewis would have got large majority before, but
since this discussion feel confident in saying he
will carry the County almost unanimously He ac-
quilted himself far beyond the expectations of his
warmest friends. 1t was remarked by most intel
ligent Democrat of Warren County, who pes
ent, that he would not have taken the hea.iRg that
VenabIe got yesterday for the election, and nearly
all have heard speak of it declare it to be most
decisive victory. have also been in other Counties
of the District, and have taken pains in inform
ing myself to the compa rative strength of the
men, and am decidedly of the opinion that Lewis
is the strongest man in the District. He shows him
self the equal Of Venable in every respect, Gage
wthstHnding,) and a debaier do regard him as
superior. He is young man of energy, talent, and
promise, and hope TO see him promoted. lie is
Democrat of the strongest kind, standing by the
old, and tried, and honoEed doctrines Of the party
may he carry them out FRANKLIN.
June l5th 1853.