Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-01-04
THE ENSUING CAMPAIGN.


We publish to-day the proceedings of the last De-
mocratic State Convention in order that our readers
may who present on the occasion and the
platform of principles laid down. There were but
fortyonc Counties represented in the last Conven-
ton we hope to sec at least sixty in the next.
We point with satisfaction and pride to the Res6
utions of the last Convention. The first rc-asscrts
the principles of the Republican party the sub
jects of Bank, Tariff economy in the public expen-
dures, and in relation to the true mode of constru-
ing the Federal Constitution; the second expresses
feeling common to the people of North Carolina
of attachment to the Union of the States the third
announced the willingness of the Democracy to adj
here to the measures of adjustment and the deermi
nation to support no for the Presidency not
pledged to faithful execution of the fugitive slave
law; the fourth declares the public lands the
mon property of all the States, to be held by the
general government as common fund for the pay
ment of the public debt and other charges upon the
public treasury; the fifth and sixth relate 70 the
Hon. Robt. Strange and Gov Reid and the seventh
and eighth embody the doctrine of the democratic
party, of all portions of the State in relation to Free
Suffrage and the basis of representation in the Gen
cral Assembly.
In our remarks of May 10, 1852, in relation to
the Resolution on the lands, said: 'This is the
true doctrine. The proposition to distribute among
the States the proceeds Of the sales of these lands
to give them away for the exclusive benefit of the
States in which they lie is but another for in
creased tariftaxes upon the people Of the country
generally. Sound policy demands that these lands
should be sold on liberal terms to cmgrants and
tual settlers, and the proceeds put in the general
treasury, as to reduce much possible the
public debt and to aid in preventing direct taxes on
the people. 1t may be advisable, now and then, to
make grants of lands to States in which they lie
with the view of enhancing the value of the rcsiduc
and to such policy we are not disposed to object;
but do object 10 any system calculated to squan-
ter these lands, which would reduce the sovereign
States of this Confcdcracy to the condition of pen
soncrs the bounties of the central Cover nment"
We have seen no reason to change even 10 modi-
fly these views. They not at all inconsistent with
the Resolution adopted by the Convention, for that
is general assertion that the lands ought to be held
by the general government and not divided out
among the States; and if held of course the govern
mcnt must look, as prudent landed proprietor, to
the best means of managing and disposin. of them.
This includes tho policy, long practced of granting
alternate sections for the purpose of encouraging i'm
provcments, and of thereby enhancing the value of
the lands themselves. This policy, it is true has
Of Wing President; but we have the pledge of the
present President that, so far as his influence ex-
lends, remedy shall be applied. lie emphaticaly
declares that it is the duty of the general
20 dispose of the lands otherwise than might be
expected from prudent proprietor, and therefore,
hat grants Of land to aid in the construction of roads
should be restricted to cases. where it would be for
he interest of the proprietor under like circumstan-
cs, thus to contribute to the construction of these
works and he enforces this position by the dccla-
alton that any other disposition of the lands would
re against the intent and meaning of the Consti-
uhon Here then, stand. This is the doc |
rine OH this subject of the Democratic party in all
Is Conventional is the doctrine of President Pierce
it is the doctrine upon which David S. Reid was
collected Governor in 1852, by over five thousand
laority 1t is too late now, after these declarations
President Pierce to take the ground that the pub
C lands will be squandercd on the States and
hat therefore, it is the duty of North Carolina to
ut in her claim for portion of them. 1t is due to
ne President, no less than to time-honorcd prin-
plcs, that we should still occupy the old ground;
&c have fears that this ground will be abandoned !
y him.
1t would not become us to attempt even to indi-
ate the peculiar character of the Resolutions which
i'll be put forth by the next Democratic State Con-
edition but we may safely most respectfully
'sume that the great landmarks of strict cOnstruc
on, economy In the public expenditures, opposition
National Bank and to a high Tariff and al,pro-
u Of Free Suffrage ard the basis it as will be
cognized and maintained. These, undertake to
y, are the doctrines of large majority of the peo-
C of the State What opponents will DO in
cir Convention is impossible for any one to forete
hey sectional in all their views on State issues
they should take ground for a free Convention,
C East cannot sustain them; while the West now
tisfed that Convention cannot be had will not
ank them for continuing a clamor for it after hay
defeated in the Legislature the principle of Free
fragc, and that too by Western votes, pledged to
e principle i'll case Convention could not be call
If they should reiterate their opposition to Free
rage they will thereby openly invite popular re-
diaton and defeat; if they should come out for it.
~ will occasion general mesriment while the peo- L
; will adhere to those who have been, from the a
st, the friends and advocates of the measure If
y should be silent, they will not thereby create
ch surprise, for this has been heretofore favour
feature in their tactics; but the people will be al
y apt to decline trusting gentlemen in public pla-
who do not know their own minds NJ
The Wing leaders will nevertheless insist that the p
tc government should be changed. Wherefore /? N
lat interest has suffered since David S. Reid was n
ugurated? Are not the public finances in bet pa
condition than they ever We're before a nd are SO