Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-03-27
The STANDARD.
f"7i t From the Warrenton News
Hon. Weldon N. Edwards on Distribution.


In the Legislature of 1886 Z, Mr.. Edwards intro
duced in tho Senate sundry resolutions relative to
the modification of the then existing tariff OF duties,
and asking that the revenue from imports be brought
down to the wants of the Government, economical
~ administered After ably and eloquently
pointing out the evils OF excessive taxation. ana oe'
noshng the arguments OF the hightariff advocates,
be thus notices the bill for deposting the surplus
revenue with the States: .-. -
ut will be recoected sid Mr.. E., that some days
since, when the bill, signiyins the acceptance by
this State of her portion under the deposit act was
before the Senate, in the few remarks felt it my
duty to submit / stated that if were in conven.
ton OF the States and the proprety of acceptance
was presented for decision-I would say, touch
not, taste not, handle not" and that would throw
back the fund upon the federal government for her
own management and safe keeping; at the same
time, jealousy watching her movements, and hold.
ing her to the strctest accountability.
Sir, the deposit act is defended upon the ground,
that an unavoidable surplus had accumulated, and
that it dangerous to suffer it to remain IN the
Treasury of the United States. Shall we not, then,
prevent recurrence Of the evil, by striking at the
root at once, instead of looping of the shoots? or
shall accumulations be permitted till 1S42, to be
succeeded by other deposit acts? He has been but
dull observer of men and things who does not see
the tendency of such policy. Already we are told
by men, high in authority, and of commanding in
fuence, as we'll as by many able journalists. that
the deposit act of the last session of Congress- not
withstanding its provisions, is distribution law,
and that the money belongs to the States. II TINS
should not prove to be the received and popular
opinion, have no doubt that, in short time, at
tenpts will be made and probably with success, to
renquish to the States all right, and to release
them from the obligation to return the money.
What then will become of the restraints of the Cot.
stitution? No will contend that the Constltu-
ton confers Congress the power to raise revenue
for distribution among the States. Yet its evasion
may be easily effected by this scheme of modern
invention. First, produce surpus-then make
deposit with the States and then execute release;
thus accomplishing indirectly, what it is admitted
there is no power to do directly"
Mr. E. then quoted from Mr.. Calhouns report on
executive patronage, made to the Senate of the u.
States in 1885 which abiding to the distribution
Of the surplus, revenue, and the many fatal obJec-
tons against it, uses the following language:
''They admit them to be great as can be well
imagined the proposition itself, that the Govern
eminent should collect money for the purpose Of
such distribution, or should distribute surplus for
the purpose of ge'petuating tares, is too absurd
to require reiutation."
Mr.. E. continues:
YES SIR, no combination of human affairs could
present eectua plan to establish the suprem-
acy of the federal government If this new con-
trivance shall grow into system, if it shall become
the settled policy of the Government, if the States
shall sink to the humating and degrading condi-
Government, of habtually looking to it for the
means of support their lofty independence will be
gone; they will longer be faithful sentines of
the watch-tower, to proclaim danger when the cta-
del of lbert: is threatened, but tame and submis-
sve stpendiares they will surrender all the
tal rights of sovereignty, and become mere mendi-
cants for favors. 1t is with governments, as with
individuals favors beget obligations; obligations de-
pendence. lie that giues may prescribe the terms
annex what conditions he pleases.
Let it be established, that the Federal Govern
ment can give its revenues to the States to the
people, and the limitations upon its powers bro
ken down-ts authority over Internal Improve
ments, education and colonization aye and emanci-
patton too, will be acknowledged. When it gives,
it will have nothing to do but to designate the objects
having nothing to grant but political poaoer will
quiesce in the dictation. And then the doctrine Of
one of the presidential candidates. about which we
heard so much, in the late canvass. that 1.-THE sur
plus should be applied to purposes Of emancipation,
with the consent of the States" will have grown to
full bulk
Sir, we have heard and we have read, that Con-
gress dare not call for the depostes from the States
my hope is that it will, and don't care how soon,
but ] much fear, it dare not have handled
Philips gold; taste will not satisfy u.s. the
hammer of the auctioneer is raised and / fear, we
are impatient for other bids. The State Legislatures
may wish to get clear Of dependence on their con-
sttuens; the gilded bait tempts the people, and
steahy corruption works its way through the land.
The Legislatures and the people may instruct their
Senators and Representatives in Congress, not to de-
mand repayment, but to make new gifts
Let me not be told, said Mr.. E. that SANDER the
people, by deprecating policy which places SO
many temptations before them. The history of man
proves that he cannot always Withstand the power
OF temptation. How came original sin? what DOOM
ed all mankind to one common bondage, from which
the medatorial Offices of Savior are necessary to
as not no teynp 1ura no.
lore our first parent? and why are we commanded
to pray to our Father, "lead US not into tempta-
tion?" because poor frail is governed too much
by the sensualtes Of his nature. The sons of Sam.
ue' we are told, by the highest and best authority,
turned aside for lucre and took bribes." 1.-The
many 60 to the Rulers for fayors" Rome never
lost her liberties until her citizens were debauched,
ana corrupted by distributions from the public gran
airy, and by largesses in land and money {; and Ath-
ems, which withstood the hardshps Of famine and
OF seven and twenty years war, yielded 1T last 20
Philips gold. Sir, all actions have their cor
respondent motives, and the act is good or bad, as
the vlrtuous or vicious principle may predominant
Hence governments hence rewards to virtue, and
pun'shments to vice, and hence all the restraints
which the people put over themselves and public
functonaries
But again there are no rights deemed so insecure
onoer our institutions, as the rights of the slave
owners, and every modification of the policy of the
Federal Government which threatens to impair or
enoanger them should BE- resisted at the threshold
Inc rule OF distribution fixed by the late deposit
act departed widely from the rule of contribution
esaol'shed by the compromises of the Constitution
OF the United States. The instrument for the pur-
pose Oh regulating the burdens of the community,
approaches, as near as possible, to uniformity in
taxes and duties; whereas the rule of distribution
Is made to depend on the arbitrary will or caprice
OF Congress? what security have we that in future
distributions, still wider departures may not be
committed by adopting exclusively the sohite basis?
To what abuses may not such power lead? If the
abolition of slavery be meditated is there within
the scope Of the Imagination plan better calculated
to indirectly effect it. than this by rendering the
slaves worthless 10 their owners and making their
interest to get clear of them for thew will hardly