Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-05-23
THOS. BRAGG.

Some Observations in Reply to the Register.
The Register continues to call upon US for our
opinions on Deposit and Distribution. We have
given them repeatedly, and they are we'll known to
our readers. We have no opinion touching the az
fairs of the country which we desire to conceal.
Our readers will bear us witness that if we have
urged our views with force and ability, have
at least never concealed them
The deposit question is no party question. The
deposit act of 1886 voted for and voted against
by good Democrats /; and no Democratic Convention
or Democratic meeting in this Stale, SO far as we
know, has ever approved or dsapproved that act
The Register wishes to know how we would have
voted on the question if we bad been member of
Congress. That paper must put supposable case,
if it desires an answer. We have not been, nor do
we ever expect to be, nor do we desire to be a
member of Congress. But we will remind our CO.
temporary of the fact that Messrs Cingman, Crage.
Branch, Ruffin and Winslow all voted at the last
session for the deposit act, and that we are sup
porting them all cordially for reelection to the
House of Representatives. What does our neighbor
say to that?
1t is neither wise, nor Constitutional nor Demo-
cratic to advocate distribution of the proceeds of
the public lands, or a division of the lands them
selves among the States. We have always held this
opinion, and we hold it now. We are fixed in it.
We will never yield to the camor for share of the
public lands or their proceeds We will stand where
we are, and where we planted ourselves in lS43,
though others may drift away in what they may re-
gard the popular food and we repeat if the gen.
eral government cannot manage its own property in
the public lands for the SGtes, and so use and dis
pose Of them as to produce the greatest good to all
the members of the Confederacy, then the general
government has failed to meet of the leading OBJ
jects for which it was founded. government which
cannot hold and properly use the property that be-
longs to it. and which has been vested in it by the
States that established it. is government at all so
far property is concerned; and failing thus as to
the lands, it might as we'll fail also, far as the
principle is concerned to the property necessary
to maintain the army and navy. We can perceive
no difference between the two propositions. North
Carolina is now paying between two and three mil
lions of dollars per annum in tarftaxes, largely If
not mainly for the benefit of Northern manufactu-
rers; and this as it is paid on imported goods in
New York City, calls for Northern exchange at a
heavy premium, greatly to the disadvantage and det
riment of our banks and business men. But
the people have at last to foot the BILL for it is well
known that the consumer pays not only the tariff
taxes, but all other charges We want the pro-
ceeds of the public lands to continue to 60 into the
Treasury, to be used for general purposes, and we
desire still further reduction Of the tariff; and we
iegard any proposition to divide distribute those
proceeds among the States, as proposition in sub
stance though not intended probably when made
in the South-to add to the tariftaxes now imposed
on our citizens
Such is our position. Let the Register show, if il
can, that it is not correct. We maintain it-et oul
neighbor assail it. and convince the people, if he can
that we are in error. We are entirely composed on
the subject and we repose the most unfaltering con-
idence in the judgment and good common sense Of
the people.