The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1858-07-21
From the Fayetteville Observer.
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.

States ana being one OF the sfealesl lhlSAesl
TO every tax payer within the limits OF our
own Commonwealth, ask place IN your
columns for some remarks IN relation to their
history-their yalae-our title to distribu-
tive portion-and the unjust and iniquitous
policy which has prevailed in the disposition
Of this magnificent property.
BY the term Public Domain, is meant that
vast tract of territory within the limits OF
the United States not appropriated to indi-
viduals, communities or corporations
In the progress Of the war OF independence,
this subject of the waste lands was subject
of discord and dissensi0n, which excited sad
forebodings in the breasts OF those early No-
taries Of liberty
The large States, influenced by that feel
ing of avarice which, as being then exhibit
ed, appears to be almost inseparable from our
common nature, insisted that, in case OF
successful issue to the contest, their terrific
rial limits should not be lessened, and their
right to the soil should remain unaltered.
The smaller States, on the other hand, urg-
ed that the struggle was for principle and
not for sgrandizement-tha they furnished
full proportion of men and money--that the
sovereignty of the soil within the chartered
limits of each of the States, was still in the
British crowu--and never would be wrested
from il but hy united effort and at COM
mon sacrifce-that even il they succeeded
in the attempt to be emancipated from foreign
political oppression, their influence in the
new Government proposed to be established
at home, would inevitably be overshadowed
by the Overwhelming influence of the larger
States,-and refused to enter into the Con-
federacy until a compact was formed, which
secured to each member rights and privileges
proportioned to the charge and expenditure
in EACH
In order to show the state of feeling which
existed at that early day in relation to the
waste land, quote portion Of the lnstruc-
tons given BY the Legislature of the State
of Maryland, in 1873, to her delegates to
Congress:
1T is possible, that those States, which are
ambitiously grasping at Territories to which,
in our judgment, they have not the least
shadow Of exclusive right, will use with
greater moderation the increase of wealth
and power derived from those territories,
when acquired than what they have display
ed in their endeayOrs TO acquire them. We
think Motive are convinced The same spirit
which hath prompted them TO insist on claim
50 extrayagant, 30 repugnant % every Prin-
cipe Of Justice, 80 incompatible with the gen
eral welfare OF the States, will urge them on
TO add oppression to injustice. Ii they should
not be melted BY superiority OF wealth and
strength, to Cypress by open force their less
wealthy and less powerful neighbors, yet de-
population and, consequently, the impover-
ishment of those States, will necessarily fol-
low, which, by an unfair construction Of the
confederation, NAV be stripped Of a common
interest and the common benefits deriyable
from the Western Country. suppose Nir-
ginia, for instance. indisputably possessed Of
the extensive and fertile country to which
She has set up claim what would be the pro-
blble consequences to Maryland Of such an
undisturbed and undisputed possession -
Thev cannot escape the least discerning.
Virginia, by selling on the most moderate
terms a small portion Of the lands in ones
ton, would draw into her treasury vast sums
of money, and IN proportion TO the sums arls-
Ing from such sales, would be enabled to les
sen her Faxes. Lands comparatively cheap,
and Taxes comparatively low, with the land
and Taxes Of an adjacent State, would quick
IL drain the State thus disadsantageously cir
camstanced Of its most useful inhabitants.
Its wealth, and its consequence in the scale
OF the oonfederated States would sink Of
course. 4 claim so injurious to more than
Dne.haf, if not the whole Of the United States,
ought 10 be supported BY the clearest cyl.
dence Of right. Yet what evidence OF that
right has been produced; What arguments
alleged in support, either Of the evidence or
the right: None that we have heard ni, de-
serving serious refutation. We are con
yinced-policy and justice require, that a
country, unsettled at the commencement Of
this War, claimed by the British Crown and
ceded 10 Il by the Treaty II Paris, il wrest.
ed from the common enemy BIZ the blood and
treasure Of the thirteen States, should be con-
sidered a. common property-subieet to be
parrelled out b. Congress, into free, con-
senient, aud independent Governments, in
such manner and az such times a. the wis
dom IL the Assembly shall hereafter direct.
Thus convinced, we should betray the
trust reposed in u by our constituents, were
were We 70 authorize Won to ratify on their
behalf, the Confederation, unless II be fur
ther explained We have coolly, and dis.
uassianaieiy, considered the subject; We have
weighed probable inconvenience and hard
ships. against TIE sacrifice Of Just and essen.
tai rights. and do instruct you not TO agree
10 tie Confederation. unless an article OF
articles be added thereto, 10 conformity
with our declaration. should W. succeed in
obtaining such article or articles, then you
are hereby fully empowered to aceede to the
Couieds,ary."
The political .agaciiy, the insight into the
future. manifested By re authors ~ these in.
structions, is indeed most admirable. The
articles insisted or by Maryland we're in.
serted aud yet, in little more than half a
century, We witness The overwhelming pre-.
pOndefanre of some NJ the States. in the
councils Of the nation. Some of the States
formed out Of territory then uhappfoprisied