Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1853-06-08
For he Standard
4, DISCUSSION IN SALISBURY.

Mr. EDiroR Inasmuci as the two political par
ties pretty equally divided in this Cong
District, and party represented by its consssseo
champion--as issues have been presented before 'ne
people. by these candidates, which may not only al
feet the prosperity, but the liberties o. our
couniry-as Il IS consequently highly ilnPoil91a i
positions should be defined and the exact views Oh
each candidate made known to the people; as me
opinions Mr.. Craige have been, and VIII probably
again be, very much misTepresenied and abused oy
the Wing papers of SALISBURY ana Q, me o'a'e gen
orally: and as many voters within the District may
mot eniov any other means of forming estimate OF
the merits of thetwo candidates except from news
oaper accounts, we have concluded to give you few
of the points, they occurred to US, during the dis
cussicn IN Salisbury on Tuesday evening last.
Mr. Craige opened the discussion by remarking,
that the slavery question was one of paramount nm
portance to the people of the South, and above an
others demanded their serious consideration; 1or,
notwithstanding the HIGH positions assumed by
President Pierce, in his Inaugural address, we nave
too much reason, from the experience OF the past' 10
fear that the fanatcism and unprinc1pled ambition OF
aspiring politicians will not sui1eT quesuon winch cdn
be turned into an engine potent in political war.
fare to remain in long silence; but ike the non
which has been awakened from sleep, with every
limb refreshed and an appetite qucSened by us SUM
bers, hungry politicians will again awaken with
double fury, The demon which has more than once
shaken every pillar in the temple OF our freedom.
We of the South ought therefore, TO be exceedingly
careful that we send Representatives to Congress
who will stand up like for the rights OF the
States under the Constitution and resist TO the last
syllable every attempt of the Federal Government TO
interfere wth trample upon the institutions OF the
southern States, guaranteed to them by the great
Charter of Liberty. And the other hand We should
endeavor to keep from Legislative halls all those
who are known to be tincured with those federal
notions, which in past days originated the old Amer
lean system and who would now convert the general
Government into grand consolidated machine, and
invest il with political omn potence. Let tere-
fore, rot be deceived by the song of peace peace
but ever live in the exercise of that vigilance, In
IL. Vn mi hnr Inn
the Presidential canvass by the friends of Gen. Scott
that as he was southern man, and Notwithstanding
he had carefully avoided writing single word on
the subject of slavery, previous TO his nomination.
vet if elected we need apprehend danger from any
act of his-and warned, in the same voice,
against the election of Gen. Pierce and notwhstanG-
ing the hearty and unqualified approval which was
given the Democratic Platform, we were persuaded
that he was coId-bIouded Yankee, and consequent
w. had necessarily mbibed abolition sentiments. But
how were these admonitions treated by the people
With a unanimty unknown since the days OF W ash
ington the American people rushed 10 the support OF
franklin Pierce and placed him in the Presidential
chair. In due time his Inaugural Address comes
forth, and instead of disappointing his friends on the
question of slavery, my friend MIR. Osborne himself
frankly admits that the positions assumed entire
IL Satisfactorily. That noble and patriotic sentiment,
first uttered by Gen. Pierce, which says that there
should be f" no North, no South, no East, no West
under the constitution but sacred maintenance Of
the common bond and true devotion TO the COM
mon brotherhood" as was well remarked, by EN-
inent Wing, should be inscribed on satin in letters
of gold and hung in the house of every citizen who
loves his country. Again, with regard 10 this sub
ject, what has been the of northern hgs in
Congress- We find that when the " compromise -
measures came to be voted on only three Wings in
the House of Representatives, north of Mason's and
Dxon's line, voted for them, and in the Senate not
one; whereas, they received twenty-sx Dem ocrdtlc
in the House and equally liberal support in
the Senate. These facts that southern
would do well to bear in mind. Mr.. Craige next
obseTv, that his i'm regard to the acqui
siton of Territory had been misrepresented by the
Wing papers of the District, he would say few
words that subject. He occupied the same ground
with Gen. PIeTce-was opposed to all FlllibusieriRg,
the acquisition of any territory in torcibie
neT, in violation of good faith treaty obligations
but if Cuba were TO achieve her independence and
the Inhabitants desired be taken under the folds Of
our banner, or if the Island put UP in the
ket of the world and could be purchased
able price, then lie in favor of its acquisition
or If England, France and Russia were TO combine
together for the purpose of wrestling it from Spain,
then, too, he would be in favor of Intervention BY
the United States to prevent nations, powerful in
arms, from acquiring position SO dangerous to our
government. The Wing party had always opposed
the acquisition of territory, and upon each addition
OF star to our glorious constellation had fright
ened the weak-minded and the tinid by grave fore
bcdings that some dire consequence would be the
cult of so much expansion If that party had been
always in power Florida, Louisiana, Texas and CAL
ifornia would have sought admiitance into the Union
IN sVdln.f eSs IelOW-cUuLenS. OedOlIul
sula " hch has become an Ium for the sick and
afflicted Of all naons for the soft seabreeze laden
with sweets from myriad flowers, sweeps through
splendid groves of orange; those rich and extensive
coon-felds and sugar plantations in the valley Of
the great Mississippi, and that growing city OF the
South which has become mart for all nations; and
that land of gold, which has poured into country
such vastsamount of wealth within the last few
years. would all have been strange lands and forbidden
fruits TO us and the stars and Stripes too, would
have waved in triumph over the capitol of the
Washington See the course pursued by leading men
ofhat party in regard 10 the Mexican Every
hatred, upon Mr.. Polk, and the denounced
as Unconstitutional and damnable; yet strange to say,
after This unrgheous war had become popular
in the County of Mecklenburg and her chjvarous
SONS were rushing with patriotic enthusiasm to the
standard of their country, find Mr.. Osborne
mounting the rostfum and appealing in thunder tones
the citizens TO rally, and declaring that another
step in opposition TO the Mexican would plunge
US in the dark gulPh of treason" Mr.. Craige con-
iinued: II has been the policy of the Wing
party to expend the proceeds of all public lands in
their chief reason for this policy has been that a
plausible excuse might lie afforded them for imposing
a high tariff on goods of domestic manufacture
which, of course would be TO the advantage OF
thern men, where the great body of the w hg party
has ever existed; thus bGrdening the people with
high taxes, and sqlandering away the public money
for the benefit of certain sections and the expense
of all others. He opposed to any such doctrine
there was nothing in the constitution to justify
such Policg-was in favor of preserving the public
lands, as wise farmeEswupld preserve his lands, 10
settle his sons around Bun as they grew up to man.
hood, carefully sPPgng the proceeds defray the
oY Oh he lDo