Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-03-31

q partition, too, Is would not greatly benefit the
States themselves We will suppose, Tor instances,
that two hundred lbilli6us Of acres Of lsnd were
part:tioned inthsgsay among the thirty-one States
of the Union. Net being empowered 70 locate their
land warreutS they must necessarily put them I'M
market for sales presenting the spectacle OF thirty
one proprietors in eager competition to sell At the
the same time. This competition would inevitably
reduce the price to . mere nominal sum, and thus,
in . very short time, this immense property would
be found in the hands of stock obbers and brokers
in Wall Street and elsewhere. In every State,
there would be those eager to buy at low rates. and
81 course they would urge the States to throw large
quantities upon the market to enable them to do So
scene of corruption would in this way be exhibit
ted to the public view, such as has never before
been witnessed in this country, and one disreputa
BILE to our legislation and dangerous to the integrity
of institutions. At present. there being but one
proprietor of these lands moderate price can be
fixed by law as is the case) and sales effected as
rapidly as the legitimate demands OF actual settlers
require but in the hands of thirty-one different
proprietors. such uniform price could be liked
upon them In fine, regard this scheme de-
lusive one, and within itself wholly impracticab;e.
Your question would imply, that unless the pub.
lie lands partitoned among the States they will
be "squandered by Congress, in donations to
Railroads, &C. Now it is to be observed, that this
word "squandered." used with reference TO me
public lands. has become a prominent one in the
vocabulary of the opponents of the Democratic par
tv This Sir, is the argument, and an ar.tu one
it is by which their scheme is sustained. will no:
admit that the land question does now, or ever will
present any such alternative 1t is the duty OF Con-
gress to see that this public treasure is not squan-
dered, but applied to the legitimate uses OF the
government, and have an abiding confidence that
It will do So as long the Democratic party have
the ascendency in that body. utterly deny the
charge, so often made by opponents, that these
lands are being squandered by Congress, and rest
~. liz tN1ch
subject 1t may be, that some imprudent donations
of the public lands have been made; indeed it would
be remarkable it otherwise, imperfect Is hu-
man effort, however we'll directed; but in the main
they have been well protected and judiciously APP
piled to the relief of the public treasury The
corded evidences of sales and donations by way OF
bountes for mertorous military services amply es.
tablsh this fact. Witness, Sir, the many millions OF
money arising from this source that have already
been paid into the treasury, relieving the people from
taxation Just to that extent. l would also direct
your attention to the many millions of acres that
have been given to the soldiers serving in the Next
can war; the last with Great Britain, and to the
survivors of that ever-memorablc contest that re-
suited in national independence. Such are the
noble and patriotic purposes to which this inest-
mabe treasure has been applied and it is fit that it
should remain where it is, sacred fund, to which
recourse may be had should the country again be
placed in situation to require similar application
Of it.
1t is claimed by the advocates of distribution,
that each State is entitled to receive its share OF the
public lands Strictly speaking they are not, as
States, entitled in law equity to any such SHARE
at least in large portion of them. part of this
land voluntarily coded to the general govern
ment by the States of North Carolina and Virginia
for the of that government. This part of the
public domain was originally the exclusive property
of these two States, wrested by them from the
hands of the early savage occupants, upon many
hard fOuU at N
blood and treasure of their citizens; and if now,
the general government surrenders her claim to it,
then this portion, at least should result back exc'u-
sivey to the States that granted it. The other
States have no rightful claim whatever to it, and
therefore, cannot ask to share it with North Carroll
ma and Virginia. But States capable of so great
generosity, will be the last to ask return of their
gift on the contrary, they will ever be found
among the first in urging thatit be held for the uses
OF the general government, in pursuance OF the pa
triotic intentions of our ancestors who gave it.
From the foregoing observations you will perceive
that am opposed to any scheme of distribution
that may be presented There exist not now, nor
do apprehend any circumstances, that will justify
any such measure.
regard the very objects of the advocates of such
measures as an invasion of the great principles of
our federation, and attack upon the public virtue
and integrity. They are nothing less, Sir, than
reward offered for the votes of the people, a
sideration, in money, for their sufrages / dare
say, that hopes of winning the popular favor and
consequent promotion and advancement for party
friends, is the great secret moving influence that
tuates majority of the advocates of such meas
ures. God grant that the people of this country
may have timely forewarning of the unholy at
tack, thus made upon their political virtue and the
sordid motives that govern it. for when seen, it will
certainly be Indignantly rcpelled to the confusion
and disaster of those politicians who make it.
look upon all such measures inimical to the
sovereignty of the States and destructive of po
litical system. In policy regard them unwise,
and leading to public extravaganza and corruption.
Your second query asks, "is the Of Gov.
Walker in Kansas approved by you, (me) or the
contrary, and if So how is the wrong to be reme-
died ?"
have no hesitation in saying that unqualified
ly condemn the course of Gov. Walker in Kansas,
from the beginning to the end from the time that
he first declared upon bis going into the territory,
that " Kansas was destined to become a non.slave-
holding State" down to his last GROWING act of
treachtry and tyranny, wherein he grasped DICTATOR
ial authoritv-unexampled in this country-and
usurped the powers of the legislative body. Acts
bringing reproach upon republic and worthy of
the despot who now controls the destinies of the
French people In modern civilized governments,
no other parallel be found to the conduct of this
unworthy public functionary AS rebukc for such
conduct, unequal though it be to its deserts, yet
perhaps the only remedy that is left u.s. trust that
the Senate which will assemble in O few days. will
reject the nomination of Gov. Walker should the
President think proper to send it to them which
do not believe he will do. By the the other,
he ought to be removed from his present position.
These are the only questions you ask touching
the general politics of the country. The others
merely questions Of domestic policy in our own State;
some of them inf my opinion of too exclusively a
local character to enter into general canvass of the
State, others simply questions of expediency, that
may or may not be adopted according to circum.
stances as they may exist at the time when they
shall be proposed. propose more general answer
to them, which indeed is the only mode in which
they be satisfactorily answered. since they are
considerations of policy merely, which ought to be
controlled by general principles.
Upon this subject would refer you to the usages
Of the party, and the course adopted at preceding