Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1857-05-06
Insincerity of the Opposition.


The Salisbury Watchrnan takes eNcrptt0n to a re-
cent article of ours in which the distribution propo
stion is characterized "the latest hun,bug.' We
adhere to the opinion, though we may we'll change
the expression by saying it is the sazne old hundng,
dressed up and presented for the occasion to adrance
selfish purposes. We do not regard the leaders Of
the opposition as sincere in this matter. From June,
1854, up to August 1856, heard not one word
from these leaders in relation to the lands their
proceeds. They ignored the question in all their
Platforms Just as many of them endeavored to ignore
the question of the Constitutional rights of the
South they forgot every thing else, appeared to
forget every thing in the calor raised against for.
eisners and Catholics. Well, what have they eff.
fected in relation to these two objects? Just moth
ing. Catholicism is strong, is not stronger than
it was in this country; and the naturalization
: laws have not been amended Failing in this
aspect, and having incurred the censure Ito
stronger word) of the people on account of their
midnight gatherings, their test oaths, and the pro-
scriptive and intoerant of their creed, they
have REQUIRED to the old Whig platform, which they
sApronounced 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-an issue slighted and disregarded by
themselves for three years. and that too when, as
they allege the lands being squandered to the
detrment and injury of the people OF the old States
North Ca, olna had the same rights in the public
domain and distribution if desirable at all, was as
4 desirable in 1854 as in 1857; yet for three years
have the mouths of these leaders been closed, and
4 the pens of these Editors been silent this ques-
ton. What is the fair inference from this? 1t is
that they have no fixed principles-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 the advocates of
any policy-that they are izasincere. We warn the
people of this insincerity, and we would put them
on their guard against these politicians, who would
deceive and msiead them to effect their own selfish
b and ambitious purposes.
The same paper-the Watchman-says
4 "Congress is stributing-squardering on pets
q and others-the public domain in such a way as
place it beyond the reach of Southern States
and then North-Caroina will be left to mourn her
Il irreparable folly in rejecting boon of immense
4 value, once so easily within her reach"
Congress squandered but little during Mr.. Pierces
a term, and they will squander as 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 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
Il sanctioned? Why, by supporting Mr.. Fillmore after
F* he approved the bil-supporting him without pro
4 test against that act Of his; and by their compli
d ments bestowed upon, and their support accorded
n since the vote was given, to Messrs. Badger ant
f Mangum. So much for "distribu,ing, sqnanderine
on pets and Others" and so much for the honesty
the sincerity of Know Nothing leaders.
But, says the Watchman-and this is the doefu
declaration of the Register and the remnant of tht
ID X. n. papers-the public domain will soon be "be
yond the reach of the Southern States, and ther
North Carolina will be left to mourn her irreparab
81 folly in rejecting a boon of immense value, once 81
# easily within her reach" The public domain con
&ssts of about 1880, 900 of acres. Thus far
2snce the foundation of the government only abou
IN lGO,O0O,000 of acres have been sold, and not
than 25o,o QUO altogether, disposed of. Suppose
during the next fifty years, thousand millions
acres should be disposed Of we should still have ef
II five hundred millions of acres. But how is North
8 Carolina rejecting this "boon of immense value /?
# Distribution, know, was offered to her in 1874
IL by the Wing leaders, she accepted $40 OOO-on
insialment but these same leaders raised the tar
in ls42, and by that act not only increased our bur
ldens but cut off distribution. The X. N leader
now say they will do great things for the State,
We will only elect CO.. Puty ar and Mr.. Smith t.
congress! Are these Know Nothings as honest an,