Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-05-02
Insincerity of the Opposition.

cent article of ours, in which the distribution propo-
ston is characterized as "the latest humbug" We
adhere to the opinion, though We may well change
the expression by saying, 1t IS the oil humbug,
dressed up and presented for the occasion to adrance
selfish purposes. We do not regard the leaders of
the opposition sincere in this matter. From June,
1854, up to August 1856, We heard not one word
from these leaders in relation to the lands or their
proceeds. They ignored the question in all their
platforms, just many of them endeavorcd to ignore
the question of the Constitutional rights of the
South; they forgot every thing else appeared to
forget every thing in the camor raised against for
eigners and Catholics. Well, what have they eff
fected in relation to these two objects? Just moth
ing. Catholicism is as strong, if not stronger than
it ever was in this country; and the naturalization
laws have not been amended. Failing in this re-
spect, and having incurred the censure Ito use no
stronger word) Of the people on account of their
midnight gatherings, their test oaths, and the pro-
scripve and ntolerant nature of their creed, they
have required to the old Wing PLATFORM which they
pronounced obsolete, and to the old Wing party,
which they declared to be rotten corrupt and dead
and have drawn thence the only issue of which they
can boast issue sighted and disregarded by
themselves for three years, and that too when, as
they alege, the lands were being squandered to the
detriment and injury of the people OF the old States
North-Carona had the same rights in the public
domain, and distribution if desirable at all was as
desirable in 1854 as in 1857; yet for three years
have the mouths of these leaders been closed and
the pens of these Editors been silent on this aues-
ton. What is the fair inference from this? 1t is
that they have no fixed princpes-that they look
rather to temporary advantage over the Democracy
than to the substantial good of the country-that
they not to be relied upon as the advocates of
any pofcy-that they are insincere. We warn the
people of this insincerity, and we would put them
on their guard against these politicians, who would
deceive and misiead them to effect their own selfish
and ambitious PURPOSES
The same paper-the Watchman-says:
Congress is distributing -squandering on pets
and o:hers-the public domain in such a way as
to place it beyond the reach of Southern States
and then North Carolina will be left to mourn her
irreparable folly in rejecting boon of immense
value, so easily within her reach"
Congress squandered but little during Mr.. Pierce's
term, and they will squander little under Mr.
Buchanan. The former vetoed the squandering bills
for which, by the way, he received no thanks from
the Know Nothing leaders and the latter is solemn
ly pledged in his Inaugural to hold the lands for
national purposes and to prevent ext-avagnnt dona-
tons to the new States. The grant to the Illinois
Railroad Company was voted for by Messrs Mangum
and Badger, and approved by Mr.. Fillmore; and this
grant, the largest made to any corporation, has
been sanctioned by the Know Nothing leaders How
sanctioned? Why, by supporting Mr.. Fillmore after
he approved the bill-supporting him without pro-
test against that act of his; and by their compli.
ments bestowed upon and their support accorded,
since the vote was given, to Messrs. Badger and
Mangum. So much for distributing, sqnanderng
on pets and others, and much for the honesty,
the sincerity of Know Nothing leaders.
But, says the Watchman-and this is the doleful
declaration of the Register and the remnant of the
K. N. papers-the public domain will soon be "be
yond the reach of the Southern States and then
North Carolina will be left mourn her irreparable
folly in rejecting boon of immense value, SO
easily within her reach" The public domain con.
ssts of about $4,000 900 of acres Thus far
since the foundation of the government, only about
5000 900 of acres have been sold and not more
than 25O, 600 On0 altogether, disposed Of Suppose
during the next fifty years. thousand millions Of
acres should be disposed Of should still have left
five hundred millions Of acres But how is North
Carolina rejecting this "boon Of immense value? p
Distribution, know, offered to her in 1841
by the Wing leaders, and she accepted 500 O0O-one
instalment but these same leaders raised the tariff
in 1912 and by that act not only increased our bur-
dens, but cut off distribution. The K N leaders
now say they will do great things for the State, il
we will only elect Col. Puryear and Mr.. Smith 10
Congress! Are these Know Nothngs as honest and
as trustworthy as the old Wings? We think not.
And if the latter deceived the people in this respect
in 1912, how we trust the former? But the
H"irreparabe folly" of North-Carolna, which are
thus called upon to 'mourn is greater than that
OF Delaware, New jersey Massachusetts, South-Car-
oina, Virginia. and the other old States. The lands
belong to the genera! government. They should be
held and used for general purposes. They should
Tot be squandered wasted. any more than other
public property. If there be indeed any net pro-
ceeds. let them be applied to the support of the
general government; and let tile tariff tnres on the
people be ,educeL to that ertent Is that rejection
of the benefit in these lands? Is that unwise, or
impracticable or unusual? Surely not. Is it sir,
reparable folly" to devote common public property
to common public use, and thereby reduce our
taxes? We think not. But the Watchman of the
same date, in another article says:
"The New York Legislature before it's adjourn.
ment adopted resolution requesting the represen-
tativcs OF that State in Congress- to their best
endeavors to keep the public lands frem the hands
OF SPECTATORS and to secure thnt distribution o,
them among the old States to uhich the latter are
entitled! What will North Carolina do? The