Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1853-07-20
THE STANDARD.
RALEIGH. SATURDAY. JULY 1e. 1853.
MR.. ROGERS CARD.

Mr. Rogers, the Wing candidate for Congress
in this District has published little Card in the
Raleigh Register, wherein he alnounces himself,
and Declares furthermore, that he is Sin favor of
fair distribution Of the public lands or their pro-
csels among the States" Mr. l.ogers, it is clear,
desires to stake himself on this issue. He would
have the people forget that he is a Bank and Ia
riff Whig-that he is the political associate Of
those who opposed the very policy by which
large portion of the lands was acquired. This is
Just like Federalism 1t has steadily opposed the
acquisition of lands, and yet, after they have been
acquired it has filled the air with camors for their
distribution or for their proceeds. In this matter,
As in others, Federalism has no Constitutional
sruples. 1t regards the federal government as a
reat centre, around which the States revolve like
many planets in their orbits; and its policy, if
carried out, would make the States dependent in
fact, as they hold them to be in theory, on this
common centre. Federalism, in fne is but anoth-
er name for consolidation and consolidation, if
effected, no matter by what measures, would be
but another name for splendid despotism.
This then, is all that is left, apparently, of Wing
principles. He is in favor of "a fair distribution
Of the public lands or their proceeds among the
States. The first point here is that Mr.. Ro-
gers is opposed, according to his own declara
ton, to Benefits land bill for surely he cannot in
sst that that bill offered "tair distribution -;
and secondly, he mentions the lands first, it is
mfrabe that he prefers division of the lands to
distribution Of the proceeds. Will Mr.. Rogers
be good enough to tell the people where these
proceeds are? Can he show that these lands are
not in debt to the federal treasury? Can he pro-
duce the proof that, to take these proceeds, even
they exist from the treasury, is not to raise the
ariHtaxes of the people? And is this his position
Would he take money from the treasury with one
hand to distribute to the States, and with the 9TH
impose tax on the farmers iron, SALT and upon
woolen and cotton goods to restore to the treasury
the money thus taken out? Is this his policy?
Mr.. Rogers talks about North Carolina getting
her rights in this vast property" just if she
were foreign State, contending with an unjust
and grasping governments government which
had taken possession Of her property, and was
holding on to it against her earnest remonstrance
North Carolina we beg leave to declare, is party
to the federal government, anG her rights" are
In the keeping of that government. 1t is to her
interest a consuming State that the tariff-taxes
should be light; and she is, therefore, willing
other considerations aside-tLat the revenue from
Il
the lands should be devoted to the common charge
and expenditure for she knows that every dollar
which is diverted from one branch of revenue
must be supplied by increased taxes on her own
citizens.
Mr.. Rogers says: I'VE are in debt, and need
this fund-not only to discharge that debt, but tc
improve our condition as a State and educate oul
people" This is the old Wing song. The lead
ers made the air ring with it in 1910; but afte
they got into power they struck up an entirely
different tune. They passed bill to divide the
proceeds, giving the new States largely the advan
age, and providing that whenever the tariff should
Oe raised above twenty per cent the distribution
should cease and then, as they thought more o
the tariff States than they did of the old States
North Carolina included) they forthwith, them
selses enacted law raising the tariff above twent
per cent; and thus cut off the old States fron
every cent OF the land money! These are facts
and Mr. rogers will not deny them. It is tru
we are In debt, and need money to carry on a sys
'em OF internal Improvements but if an adyocac
" internal Improvement is to be coupled hereafte
WIN propositions to borrow or beg money from tn
general government for the purpose of effectin,
''S Same 1T will be found that the number of i'm
r0Sement men will rapidly diminish The eepers
s. government has no power to make roads in tn
s' osas Or to appropriate money to educate tn
N''''en OF the States and if it cannot do tb