Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-05-26

nrv here and then divide it out amongst the States
and collect eight millions more from the people ny
tariff replace it. involves large expenses LOT
and heavy drawb backs. The home manufacturer a.
80 takes his bounty on every increase OF the tar,
Intelligent men can estimate these additions for
Themselves. / think I could demonstrate that tine
tag on the people will be double what I have est,
mated II, but without going into any controversies
calculations it is great enough to show that this IS
smnlv proposition to increase taxes for the bene-
fit Of schemers, without any corresponding advan'
tages to the people.
I yield to no one in my appreciation Of the i'm
porsnce of railroads. They are the great civ!lzers
of the age-the grandest triumph OF mans intel
lect-the greatest achievement of mind over inert
matter hope to the time when, without any
material increase of taxation, every farmer IN my
State will be able to deposit load OF produce az
railroad depot, and return home at n'ght In our
ergies of great people, and is transforming wasted
fields into blooming gardens, and arousing men and
women from the dull and heavy sleep that dwells
with satisfaction upon the past into the bright intel
lgence that looks to glorious future. The Demo-
cratic party is pledged to the policy OF 'mpro, ag
resources will justify. Since 1850 we have con-
structed more than 400 miles of frst-class roads
from our own resources alone-for two successive
wears the superintendent Of common schools has re-
ported ore hundred and fifty thousand of our chill.
dren at school; and yet the distributionists delight
to represent North Carolina stepped in ignorance
and languishing in poverty. Shame upon those
who would dsparage their own State, and refuse her
all credit for the bounding advance she is making IN
prosperity and intelligence 1t she should derive
money from the distribution of the public lands
with which to push on her improvements more rap
idly her people will have to be taxed to supply the
deficiency thus made in the Federal Treasury; and
if they are be taxed, would rather it should be
done by her own legislature the members of which
are responsible to the people, than by Congress-
are often hostile to their interest.
Much as prize railroads. am unwilling to see
my constituents taxed to build them, except by
their own representatives in the State Legislature,
at such time, in such manner and to such extent as
they deem wise and prudent.
l aver then, that if at any time distribution
would be expedient, it is highly inexpedent at the
present
l. Because the Government is in debt, and bor-
rowing money to carry on its operations. and OF
cannot spare eight millions OF dollars per an
num-
2. Because it would render necessary large in
crease of the tariff tax.
8. Because it is covert attempt to take from the
people more money than their immediate represen-
tatives dare take from them for railroads.
4 Because it makes Congress the tax gatherers
for the States, thereby endangering the independ-
ence of the States, and placing the property Of my
constituents at the mercy Of body not responsible
to them, and always Mathematician hostile to
their interests.
proceed now to. some more general considera-
tons touching the question.
From a very early period in our history, the
ownership of the unappropriated lands lying within
the limits of the Union has been subject of angry
contention 1t is well known that, after having en-
Uttered the days of the Confederation it retarded
the st formation of more perfect Union some OF
the States refusing to ratfy the Constitution and
join the Union without guarantee of the equal
rights they claimed. Happily our ancestors were as
just as they were wise and brave; and it seeming
just that they who got the lands should pay
the expenses Of asau!ieg thelp from GEsat REiiaes
should have the lands, all the States surrendered
their claims to the Federal Government on its as
Stunning the payment of the Revolutionary debt
Thus easily did common sense and common honesty
dispe the cloud that darkened the very dawn of
existence as an independent nation and stamp upon
the very fron:ispiece of the Constitution an illus
trious example of unselfsh patriotism.
The lands thus became the property Of the new
Government, to be used and disposed Of all its
powers were to b. exercised, for the equal benefit,
as near might be, of the people of each and all
the States. They not the property of the States
nor Of the people, and to say that the Government
holds them as agent trustee, for the
States, is not only unwarranted by anything con-
tanned in its title papers, out is attribung to it
character with which it cannot be invested by any
action of itself or of the States in the
pointed out for amending the Constitution. Hold
ing the land for the common defense and general
welfare" it would be violation of its duty so long
as it continues to hold it at all, to apply it to the
separate Of all part of the States. So long
as the Government continues to the land, it
must be applied to the contra distinguish
ed from the separate of the States, and can be
applied in no other way. Occasional grants of rea-
sonabe amount. made to improve its property, to
purchase exemption from taxation, do not violate
this principle
North Carolina is entitled to share equally With
Illinois and Arkansas, in proportion to their respec
tive contributions, in the advantages to be derived
from the public lands. And whatever system will
secure to North Carolina and to every other State
the enjoyment of this equal right, ought in my
opinion, to be adopted Our State will he exact and
strictly just in the ascertainmen: of rights-but
when her rights are recognized, State will be
more ready to unite in making liberal grants, not
violating the above principles for the benefit Of set
tiers in the wilderness, large portion of whom. in
every new State have issued from her lons, and to
whose welfare she is neither hostile nor Indifferent
Until after the extinction Of the Revolutionary
debt, which occurred during General Jacksons adj
ministration, no proposition made, so far as
know, to treat the public lands otherwise than as a
fund to be applied, like all other funds of the Gov
ernment to the payment of its debts and expenses.
Since that time various propositions have been
made, all having for their object deprive the Gov
eminent of the revenue it derives from them, and
all based on the falacous idea that the revenue is
no longer needed. If the political millennium had ar.
rived when the affairs of governments might be con-
Quoted without money, then, indeed, we might ban
ish the tax-gatherer and the Custom-house officer
and not only the public lands but the navy, and all
other property of the Government, might be given
away. But no such happy lot has befaen us.
have shown that the people of the United States
are taxed heavily taxed, for the support Of their
Government, and cunning men are constantly devils.
ing new schemes, like the present, to increase the
burdens of the many for the benefit of the few.
! propose to present my views in regard to such
OF the distribution schemes as have advocates
enough to make them worthy of attention-and the
question propose to myself is, WHAT POLICY WILL