Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1853-03-30
From the Wilmington Journal.
To the Voters of the Third Congressic

GENTLEMEN: In compliance with the solicitation
of friends residing in different sections of the District
have consented to be candidate for reelection.
my desire TO have published an address, In
which I-wouid have reviewer at length the various
measures that have been acted upon by Congress
since have been your Representative, but the heavy
pressure of business for the last Two three weeks
of the session. in connection with serious ndispos
ton, prevented my doing so. l must now content
myself with bare allusion to such affect more
directly your interest. The old political issues, which
for the last quarter of century have divided public
opinion in country, now in great degree at
rest. Our national currency is sound and abundant;
hence commercial confidence pervades our wide
spread Republic, and national and individual pros
peTity is in full measure with US.
The Democratic Tariff of 1916 has more than realiz
ed in its operation the highest anticipation OF lis
friends; and Notwithstanding national expenses
have been exhorbitant, it has yielded
ne than sufficient meet these expenses, leav-
ing surplus of some millions each year with
which to pay off our national debt Statesmen of
note and character who heretofore have belonged 10
the high tariff party, avow themselves advocates
of equal and low The tariff of 1916 has not
been materially changed since is enactment, nor, in
my opinion, will any change take place for several
years TO come unless the article OF iron should con-
tinue to increase in value, il which event justice to
the great agricultural interest will demand its modI-
fcation This tax is now felt as oppressive on the
various schemes of internal Improvements in our
country, and in order abaie it to extent, there
several attempts made to postpone the payment
Of duties railroad iron, and authorizing its ultimate
discharge by the performance of mail service; all of
these attempts, excepting in two cases, were dbortlve;
one the Wilmington and w eldon Railroad, The
other was the Wilmington and Manchester road AS
our State will have to pay upwards of 100000 in
duties iron for the Central Railroad, the whole
delegation made strong effort TO take off this duty
entirely, but we could not succeed.
During the first session of the present Congress
bill introduced and passed the House of Repre-
sentatives, but was hnay lost in the Senate, dstrl-
buling 10 the several States of the Union certain
allotments of the public lands. 1t generally
known Benefits bill. Several reasons compelled
me to vote against il. The distribution proposed
was unequal and unjust One instance will show
this. The State of Arkansas, having but Rep
resentalive the floor of Congress-, was allowed
three millions of acres of land in addition every
10th section for educational purposes, as also $780,
900 previously allowed for internal improve
ments. Our State, with nine Representatives,
allowed only million six hundred thousand
acres ! could nothiRg but the grossest injustice
| in this arrangement. Tie bill also restricted the
different States in the of the money arising from
thu sale of their respective warrants, appropTiatng
1t exclusively TO the cause Of education. This was
covert attempt on the part OF Congres TO dictate to
the State Legislation of particular character; such
dictation l coulG approve Of. No values
more highly than do the advantages of general ed
ucation, believing that its promotion should be the
dearest object of solicitude in the bosom of every
legislator, but let IL be conhded 10 the wisdom OF It's
proper guardians, the State Legislatures. Congress
has no constitutional power to egisate on the sub
| ject. Independent OF these serious objections to
!
the bill entirely wrong. Whether our pub
lie domain acquired by donation purchase, ii
is The common property Of the States, to be used for
their joint benefit, and Congress has more right to
give away the public lands than to give away the
public money. One is as much property as the 9TH
er. But who would not consider proposition that
Congress should collect, by taxes the people mon
ey for distribution among the States, monstrous
What would such policy end in The great
cury that you have against the waslefu eXtrava
gance Of your State Legislators consisting in their d-
rect and immediate responsibility TO the tax-paying
community, what becomes OF this responsibility If
the General Governments acts the tax collector,
and The Stale Legislatures do the squanderng Ii
ceases TO exist. The principle of distribution is al
war with the theory of political organization,
which is, that Federal Government Confede-
racy OF free and Independent States. How long would
they continue preserve this character If, instead
of relying their for support, they de-
rived it from the Golfers of the General Government!
Would they not soon, very soon, degenerate into
mere Provincial Dependencies, holding every right
and liberty by the suferance IF their moReyed master!
Such fate is inevitable. unless we keep separate
and distinct The money operations of the two Govern
ments. If We would preserve the Union must
hold fast to lis organic aws-the Constitution, the
panoply Of which covers equally the State and Fede-
raj authorities.
Other Governments grow strong as they usurp I'M
delegated Power but every such usurpalion
rily weakens ours. The question may be asked how
prevent the land States absorbing all
this common property This question / am unable
at present TO answer, but will only say that long
as am honored with the privilege Of representing
you my constant effort will be prevent their doing
it. l have much hope that the present Democrat
c Administration will discourage, if entirely
crush theJ various schemes of punGer and spoiaion
and that, during its existence, the public property
will be strictly applied the support Of our common
Government, thereby diminishing the amount of tax
alton now imposed on the people. But if should
be disappointed either in the will capacity Of the
present Administration 10 this abso pon OF the
public lands by the States and their dis position
in this way should become the settled policy of the
Government, as / could not advocate a measure so
full # objections the distribution policy would
return TO your hands the trust confded 10 me.
In conclusion will remark that since have had !
the honor OF being your Representative, my chief
ambition has been to sustain and strengthen the prin-
cipes of the Democratic party, firmly believing that
their predominance depends The safety of Re-
public. Those principles now in the ascendency, !
and the country, at the expiration of four years, will
have ample opportunity to determine whether am !
right or wrong in my appreciation of their worth. |
look for ward to the crisis with proud reliance that
the judgment of the American people will be over
whelmingly in favor Of Democracy.
But while, politician. thus acted, yet it has !
been fixed rule with attend the private
business of all my constituents Irrespective of party
and if have not given satisfaction all, my heart
has not been to blame, but should rather fall
my lack Of ability to do better. IF it should be
the pleasure of majority of the of the dis
trct that should again represent them, will come
TO TIE work with heart swelling with gratitude
this renewed manifestion of their confidence and in
return will promise them that, far my capacity
extends, they shall have of complaint a.