The Hillsborough recorder., 1853-06-22

hearing vls wAo,saisrpssisn. shus sIsskssf NJ.
I.ssls's pmaksi
ewhpn We happened IN, he was bali
wav IN Z history 0f he Land Ques.
Iion, ana his remarks upun this sa9leet
we're very clear, forcible and conFine-
ing. Tie Kent over the Ehole ground,
from the deeds u eessinn 10 the pre-
sent time. and backed his opinions ey
authorities from the archives Of the
country. He denied that he stood In
opposition 10 the platform Of 1852, and
referred 10 former precedents to sus-
tain him aud denounced the mon.
strous doctrine that Ne are to SIT tame
ly by. while the new States grow great
over donations Of the public lands.
"Norfh Carolina" he said. 'iras STARE
ing 10 death on an abstraction" He
pledged himself, IL elected. to endeasor
To procure for this State an equitable
share in the distribution Of the lands.
He would. however. ON the principle
that half loaf is better than no bread.
20 for Benefits bill. II he could pro-
cure no more. Tie asserted that the
Democratic party would change their
front on this question, or that Demo
cracy would be prostrate in the State.
Alluded to River and Harbor impraye-
menss, and said that he would vote tor
an appropriation for Cape Fear River.
Mr.. Leake is a plain, forcible, inte-
resting speaker, and must take with the
people. His speech was. to say the
least. good one"
In this connection. we viii take occasion te
publish the following extract frSin Mr.. T.eake',
circular. Coming. as il does. from one whoss
Democracy cannot be questioned, the sensible
view which he lakes Of the Land Question. may
have an influence upon the minds Of some Of oul
Democratic friends. who wouII give but liul.
heed TO any thing said by Wings on the subject
Mr.. I.eake says:
Sc The question, | have said, is one
Of the first importance. and as such de,
mands your most deliberate considera,
tion, for as North Carolinans, you have
much at stake. Without entering in.
to any argument. for which have not
space. will simply say, that the pub,
lie lands are the property Of the States
that Congress is nothing but a.trus.
tee. and the States the cesfm gu,
trusts" The duty Of the trustee, in
the first place, is see that the land
shall follow the intention Of the grantor
as set forth in their several deeds Of ses
sion but that, failing in this. from any
cause, it then becomes the duty Of Con
gress to see that "equiiy" shall prevail
The most equitable disposit ion, ms vel
a the most proper, would have been /,
let their proceeds 90 into the Nationa
Treasury. But it has become obviou,
to many rejecting minds, (and shoult
be so to all J that from currupt com.
bination OF selfish interests, Congress,
will do no such thing, but that iron
session to session, millions OF acres ol
their common Inheritance are to TAX,
direction little dreamed of by the do
nors, and to the actual impoverish
ment Of the old States. Convinced o
this, | hold that it is perfectly idle I,
cry "let them remain, let them re
main," when / know that, like Ban
quo's Ghost, they will not " down a
:, our bidding" am, then, for comm,
boldly up to the mark, and assertin;
the claims Of my native State, ere it b,
too late.
\ "You have already nobly embarke,
in the cause Of education, as we'll a,
the cause of internal Improvements
To stand still IN this. our ,lav of pro
gress, is to retrograde, aud | bid yo,
"go ahead p aud il | should receive
majority Of your suiirages, Iple,Ige my
self to exert my limited abilities to pro
cure for you, while they are going
your equitable proportion Of the laud'
in question"