Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1854-04-12
GEN. DocKERY-pUBLrc LANDS, &c.


stated in his speech in Smithteld, that the present
and prospective Indebtedness of this State on ac-
count of Internal improvements might be set down
at ten millions of dollars that there but three
ways of discharging this debt-frst by the profits
Of the works themselves, which could not be relied
on-secondly by the Democratic policy, as he term
ed it. of enormously heavy direct taxes on the pco-
ple-and thirdly, by the easy Whig method, us he
declared, of the public lands or their proceeds He
also dwelt with emphasis upon the grant of public
lands to the Illinois Railroad Company, and held the
Democrats responsible for the measure, though he
well knew, and deliberately omitted to state, that
Whig President, Mr. Fillmore, signed the bill. Yes,
citizens, said he in substance, the President of
that Road went to England, and on the credit of
these lands he borrowed money from the Lords, and
the Earls and the "Narkises," and the Road was
built by the aid of English lordlings; while you in
North Carolina denied your share in these lands,
are oppressed by heavy taxes and hardly able
to buy "g'eanny" to put on your poor land By
the way, the General has very Independent way of
pronouncing the word guano. Wethink in his case,
about the first Thursday in August, the pronuncia-
ton will be-gone-oh! We have no doubt, howev-
er, that he would like to have it-gain-oh!
But seriously, was there ever such demagogueism
before in North Carolina? Does not Gen. Dockery
remember-and remembering, why did he not hon
estly state-that his party promised to divide the
proceeds of the lands in 1s4O and that after getting
into power they not only violated their pledges, but
actually added to the burdens of the people in the way
of tariff-taxes? And docs he not know that there
is no prospect, at present. of distribution of the
lands or their proceeds? And such being the case,
does he not perceive, the public must, that his
defamation about the State debt and enormous tax
es is calculated to ijure tile Of Internal Im-
prorensentss We call upon the friends of Internal
Improvements, and especially the people of Western
North Carolina, to note this fact. Gen. Dockcry, in
order to advance party purposes, and to promote his
election, is engaged in course of public decla-
nation which is calculated if not intended to check
and chill the ardor Of the friends Of improvements
and that too in section of the State where this
cause, which men of all parties have so much at
heart is just beginning to take deep root and to Of
fer promise of the best results. Will he talk thus
in Western Counties P? Will he say to the patriotic
and Independent men of the mountains you can
have Improvements if you will adopt the policy at
the hazard of enormous taxes, but you can have
them for nothing if you will beg the General Govern
ment for the means? Will he? Away with uch
croaking such demagogucism, such dependence up
on federal power as this!
1t deserves also to be mentioned in this connec-
ton, that Gen. Dockery silent at Smithield on
the subject of extending the North Carolina Railroad
east and west.
Rev. DR. BA1RD's LECTURE. On Tuesday evening
Dr. Baird delivered lecture in the Presbyterian
Church of this City, on the state of Europe, upon
which subject long residence in Europe has made
him fully competent to speak. He divided the in
habitants of Europe into three distinct races, Gel
tic, Tuetonic and Sclavonic" each distinguished
from the other by marked diversity of language
and religion; he described the different forms of
government which prevail, from the miniature sister
Republic of St. Marino to the colossal Empires Of
England and Russia; he alluded to the picturesque
| customs which have prevailed for centuries, and
points out the different classes of society the
| tinent of Europe. Having thus made his audience
acquainted with the principal nations, he proceeded
to describe their Rulers, and gave from his per-
sonal observation graphic description of the per-
sonal appearance, habits and characters of those
potentatcs who now sway tho deetnies of millions
| of their fellow men. The Rev. gentleman related
some interesting anecdotes which shew these Euro
pcan Kings in more favorable light than repub-
| licans are accustomed to view them. Dr. Baird
concluded his interesting and instructive discourse
by announcing his intention, returning from
Chapel Hill, to deliver two lectures, on Monday and
Tuesday, in which he will describe the present state
of Russia and Turkey-the proceeds to be given for
the support of Foreign Missions.
| WAYNE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. At the meeting
of the Society," held on the 25th ult., Col. John c.
Slocumb delivered an appropriate address, which
was listened to with much pleasure and deep atten.
ton by every person present, and request made
for o CODY for publication.