The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-06-30
Wings Squandering the Public Lands.

The people Of North Carolina have been ad.
dressed and appealed to for years by the leaders
Of the Fedora! party the sub lect of the public
lands. This subject has, indeed, constituted al
times, as at present, almost the entire political
stock in trade of those leaders; they have rung the
changes upon it in all their newspapers and from
every stump; and really to listen to and believe
them, unsophsticated man would come to the
conclusion that the Democrats had combined 10
waste the public lands or give them away, and
these Federal leaders have been excrting them.
selves necessarily to retain these lands and secure
justice in them and by them to the old States
But what are the facts? Why, the facts show
that these federal leaders have never redeemed
the first pledge they have made to the people on
this subject. In 164l, when they had the power,
as the result Of political victory VIII CHI. it was
boosted, would lead to distribution OF the pro.
ceeds so as to enable North Carolina to increase
vastly the usefulness Of her common schools and
build railroads almost in all directions, they passed
n bill making distribution; but the bill so
framed, out OF Difference to the new States and
the Tariff States, that the old Atlantic States, N.
Carolina inclusive, received nothing in compari-
with what was g ven to other sections. 1t was
provided. first, that the new States should receive
each five hundred thousand as GIFT, and
secondly, that the old States should have money
out of the treasury in the way Of proceeds, in
the Tariff should not be raised above 90 per cent.
The new States under this act a: once located
their lands-of course they selected the best, and
the right to them became vested and fixed. But
the Tariff States camored for more protection and
expenses were running up under Wing rule. and
so the Tariff was raised by the same party above
20 per cent, and the Old States acre thus rat off.
North Carolina got some twenty thousand dollars,
instead OF the millions that were promised her; and
she had to pay back in duties on imported goods,
and hundreds OF thousands more under the Upper.
atoms Of the increased Tariff thus imposed upon
her by these leaders.
This is one specimen of the justice obtained for
this State by the Federal leaders Their only ex-
cuse is, that they tried, in raising The Tariff, to
strike the proviso about distribution so as to
continue distribution to The old States we'll as
to the new, but John Tyler, who was opposed to
distribution, would not have signed such bill;
but then, who elected John Tyler? Was it not
their work? And why did they insert the provi-
so at all? Wtu did they thus prepare the 1oay for
injustice and acrong. according to their own ad.
mission, to the old States?
The people of this State have heard good deal
Of late. from Gen. Dockery and others. about the
grant Of land by Congress for building the Illinois
Railroad; and though this Bill was signed by Mr..
Fillmore, all others Of the same kind were du.
ring his administration, yet these Federal leaders
would have the people believe that Democrats are
entirely responsible for these measures. We now
assert, and the records will show, that this BILL Of
which SO much complaint has been made. aoas DO
ted ;or in the Senate by MessTs. Manguns and
Badger, Of this State, and qoas sustained by a
nsajo tty Of Why's and opposed by a majority of
Democrats IN the House Of Representatives. For
the vote OF Messrs. Badger and Mangum. see Cong.
Globe, vol. 81, part l. page 9O4. What is true
of this biIl-for 1t was leading one-hoids good
in relation to Others
Here, then. we have body of men attempting
TO hold an opposite party responsible for the very
thing they have done themselves, and striving TO
make votes BY condemning the policy which they
have adopted and acted upon for years. Then
passed these bills making gifts, grants and the like
by alternate sections and otherwise for Railroad
improvements for the benefit, as thea insist, of The
new States; their President approved them all with
out word OF protest or objeciion; and now they
have the assurance to set up a cry over the nus.
'Ice done to North Carolina, TO denounce Demo.
Gratis as the cause OF this injustice, and TO charge
even that the lands are now being souapGered.
when 1t IS notorious, and they know il, that not
The hrst bI OF this character has received the an.
prevail oil President Pierce! What must the hon.
est masses OF The people think OF such men?
Another noticeable feature in this matter ia that
no Inst hIrv NJ.