Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1854-05-17


road East and West; and that in carrying on works
of Internal improvement he would be governed to
great extent by the principle that would in
fuence prudent man in the management of his
private affairs. He was opposed to ruinous taxation
and he was opposed to the creation of debt that
would lead to reputation. He thought prudent
individual or prudent State ought to keep within
their means and resources, and should never con-
tract debt so large that they could not have the
prospect of means sufficient to pay at least the in
terest. He was in favor of going to the extent of
tn means and resources Of the State. This was his
position. He told Gen. Dockcry that he in favor
of the extension of the Road and he entertain
ed an idea that the extension could be made without
borrowing the money to do it. The thing was too
preposterous to need correction with those who
knew him. Gen. Dockcry appeared to be dcsirous
Of placing him (slr. b. in his (Mr. d. 81 own posi-
ton 3; for he declares that he and the Nhig party
are not Tor borrowing taxing but for paying it in
a way he well knows it cannot be done. Mr.. Bragg
said he did not avoid this any other question he
would not do so to- Secure his election. He did not
dodge--he did not come from a dodging stock. slr.
Bragg said that State had built Railroad of any
considerable extent without borrowing money to ena-
bic her to complete it. and North Carolina like other
States, would have borrow till the profits Of the
Road would enable her to pay.
He then alluded to the subject of the Public Lands
Was opposed to giving them to the new States, but
thought their proceeds ought be applied to essenng
the burdens the people have to bear in support of the
Federal Government In this way he thought the
people would derive much benefit from the lands as
by any distribution that could be made. This had
been prolific theme for the Wing party in North
Carolina for the last twenty years. They had time
and again told the people, if they elected Whig Gov
ernors and Wing Presidents they would divide the
proceeds of the lands and give them money build
Railroads and foster munilcent system of Educa-
ton. The people would remember that the Wings
had trumphed several times but that these extrav-
agant promises had never been redeemed. This old
hobby had been worn thread-bar and the people
understood what the leaders of the Wing party used it
for. In 1871 they passed distribution bill which
gave to nine of the States five hundred thou
sand acres each over and above an equal distribu-
ton, at the same time providing that when it became
necessary to raise the duties above twenty per cent
then distribution should cease. The next year they
raised the duties, thereby repeating the distribution.
In the mean time the States had availed them
selves Of the gift and the old States were left with
mere pittancc. Yet the leaders of the Wing party
were constantly charging the Democrats with de-
sire to give away the public lands His competitor
was saying much about Railroads and endcavoring
to hold out great promises in regard to what could
be done for them when they got a distribution of
the Public Lands. General Dockcry, however, did
not show so much interest in favor cf Railroads
while in Congress, in his votes the subject of the
duty on Railroad iron. General Dockery had COM
planned of grants of land made to Railroads in the
new States, and endeavorci to hold the Democratic
party responsible for them, when upon examination
it turned out that these bills passed during Mr. Fill
more's administration He had asked Gen. d. if
these acts so unjust, why did not Mr.. Fillmore
reto them? His answer was the Wing party did
not believe in the one man power!" So (said Mr.
b. you see that the leaders of the Wing party are
ready to exact of Democrats that which they do not
perform themselves He said when Democrats made
professions they carried them out. When an objec-
tionable distribution bill passed, Gen. jackson re-
fused to sign it. So, too, the other day with Gen.
Pierce, when Congress passed bill to give away ten
millions of acres in the INDECENT insane bl-a meas
ure tending to consolidation and the usurpation Of
the rights of The States-he promptly exercised the
veto power This was the way to protect the lands,
and he hoped and believed that President Pierce
would resort to the veto again whenever it became
necessary to protect fhe public lands. The Wings
talked about the public lands for effect in North
Carolina. Distribution part of the national
creed of the Whig party. When they meet at Bal
timore the Wings of North Carolina were very care
full to keep it out of their platform but in their State
platform they equally careful to insert it, and
the Wings supported General Scott, notwithstanding
the declaration in his letter of acceptance that he
was for policy favorable to actual settlers" by
which he was understood in many places, to mean
the Homestead principle. Mr.. Bragg paid President
Pierce's veto high compliment lie said that not
withstanding the leaders of the Wing party had
! made so many professions about the public lands
the fact was that all the State had received from
| the General Government to do her any good, was
not received during Whig administration, but un'
der the Democratic administration of General Jack
son. He had no doubt that if the time arrived when
there was surplus in the Treasury not needed te
defiay the legitimate expenses of the Government
that under Democratic auspices it would be deposit
| ed with the States, as had been done during Gen
Jackson's administration. He also alluded to the
fact that the public lands were pledged for public
debts which remain unpaid.
He alluded to the charge that the President hat
appointed freesoiers to Office. Some persons NIGH
have received appointments who at some time hae
entertained eesoil sentiments but he undertook tt
state his belief that the President had not in single