The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1857-12-16

reignty, embodied in the Nebraska Kansas
bill; ii this be palpably violated, the united
South must determine on her course. Should
any sudden cause disturb the relations Of the
States and dissolve the Union, vast pro-
perty will have been secured by those who
will then be our foes indeed it is solemn
view Of the land question, that all these do
nations Of our mutual property is building
up in power and strength one side, to the
impoverishment of the other.
On the land question there is yet some-
thing to be done by legislation. II the South
and the Northeastern States will unite in
claiming fair and equal distribution Of
portion Of this common domain, among all
the States, the claim would be recognized !;
it is their refusal to receive, which strength
ems the adversary, and at this time so needy
is the West and so eager for further assis-
tance, that even she will 60 for this general
distribution. But in a very short time the
preponderance of representation in the Sen
ate and House Of Representatives from the
land States will enable them to do as they
please, and then will be fulfilled the predic-
tion of Mr.. Benton, and all this common
property will be forerer lost.
The policy of giving away these lands is
not new one. They have been squandered
under all administrations from MIR. Jefferson
to the present, in donations of swamp lands,
&c., the whole system having been one Of
fraud and robbery, against the constant pro-
test Of the South, made a'ways, but made
without avail; and noW or neuer, must be
made the last struggle for an equal partici-
patton by all the owners in this common
fund. 1t is startling, but it is the truth,
that up to this time more of the public land
has been giuen away than has been sold. The
Congress of l849-'50, alone, gave away fifty
four millions to certain States, Of which
Louisiana received seven and half millions
Of acres, under the name Of swamp lands,
but in reality covering much Of the very
best lands in the Western States. Two Of
the old States, Kentucky and Connecticut,
have built their deaf and dumb asylums out
Of donations Of lands made by Congress |;
not Of lands lying in their borders, but lcca-
ted in Alabama, Arkansas and Florida.
The citizens of North Carolina are hea-
Willy taxed for their deaf and dumb asylum,
and also for the asylum for the insane, while
noble monuments adorn the Western States
monuments at once Of the benefits conferred
BY these donations, and of the partiality
and injustice with which they have been
made.
There are twenty States and Territories
ta whom has been granted up to 1854, with
vast amouI;, Of one hundred ana thirty thirty loSSff our
millions seven hundred thousand acres Of
nublic land, in which North Carolina had as
equal an interest as any of them. Illinois
received fifteen millions, Louisiana ten
millions, Michigan ten millions, and Ohio,
Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin in similar pro-
portions.
With these lands converted into money,
and gotten so cheap only for the asking,
they have established schools, universities
and seats Of government, roads, canals, and
deaf, dumb aud insane asyiums their whole
borders are permeated with railroads and
macadamized turnpikes-capitols. splendid
10 their architectural structure, 10 gratiiy the
pride Of the citizen-asylums for The berefi
and unfortunate, capacious and beautifully
constructed, ornament their towns-whiie
all branches Of knowledge find cover and
protection under the lofty domes of exten-
siye universities. academies and school
houses. What wonder is it, then, that II Is
called the mighty Westf" What wonder
that its population swells, that its represen-
tation in Congress increases, and that all
the elements OF prosperity gather in its bor-
ders! What wonder on the other hand,
that with us population stagnates. our repre-.
sentation grows smaller, and progress and
Improvement are slow and diflicul.f
On the one hand all the public State works,
buildings and institutions are erected and
supported by donations from the general 20.
yernment, while we are obliged TO tar our.
selves for the self same objects or 60 with.
out them; and even our very subjects oi
taxation are drawn away to- Gil the prosperit,
Of the West, by the very causes which pro
duce our decline.
The Baltimore Platform.
Ever since 1910, the Democratic party IL
its several conventions passed resolution
| in substance, That the public lands arr
the common property Of all the States; tina
they are held by the general government i
trust-to be sold and their profits placed u
the public treasury, and thus appropriated
to the common benefit, by defraylng the ex
penses Of the government" ! have oitei
voted for this resolution and approved il til
I saw II deserted by democrats from all sec
i tions Of the country; that indeed the rer.
leaders would return direct from Baltimore
to Washington City and vote for the larges
donations 10 States aRd private corporation
Of this very land, in utter violation Of u,
intent and meaning as well as the letter o
,ho rosoiut;on When in I9aS 1 supported
Gen. Cass BY speeches in near twenty coun
ties Of this State, 1 advocated the cause Of
Democrat who had given his aid and supper
!. 70 every application for land donations I
the Northwest. Mr.. Douglas, long my "a
! yorite for the Presidency, aud the secon'
choice Of the Democratic party Of this Stat
! in 1859, had built up Illinois BY these dona
] tions and voted for nearly all the res'
When the Democratic party in Congres
. made Mr.. Boyd Speaker Of the House I
Representatives, they voted for man VIII
had introduced and advocated bill to CIV
A.. Al. Ct.taa e. .0htrh thav liz