Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-03-20
Mr.. d. K. McRAE. IN EDGECOMBE.

place on Tuesday last taking for his mainly the
exploded humbug Of Distribution. He quoted or
should rather say garbled many extracts from the
speeches of leading Democrats to show that Distri-
button was Democratic measure, yet had not the
independence to declare that he thought it consttu.
tional We do not recollcct the authorities that he
read from, not having taken notes; we recollect
however, that he referred to VIM. R King, who went
from this State and who stood high in Democratic
confidence, as being nstributionist We would
refer him to the record. In " Benton's 80 years
VIEW" he will find that Mr.. King was Chairman of
the Committee of Territories, when Mr.. Clay the
father of Distribution introduced his bill to divide
the Public Lands among the States he made one of
the strongest reports against that that has
ever been made.
Mr. Calhoun, whom Democracy never will deny,
said that the General Government was the Trustee
of the States and had right 10 distribute the Pub
lie Lands among the States under the Constitution
Mr.. McRae stated that Andrew Johnson of Tenn,
and r. NJ. T. Hunter of Virginia, ere in favor of
giving away the Public Lands. We make issue with
the gentleman as to the correctness of this state
ment They are in favor Of appropriatng them to
the defence Of the frontier settlements, which it now
costs the Government many millions of dollars to
defend. He also mention several bills that had been
introduced, during the present session Of Congress
none Of them however, have been voted on, and we
venture to predict that there democrats enough
there differing from the gentleman to defeat every
measure of the kind which may be brought forward.
And what If some Democrats may be found unsound
on this question: are well to 60 a maraudius Ca
petition because they do?
Mr.. McRae bore down heavily on the Senior Edi-
tor of the Standard. and why! Because he has
seen proper to proclaim him disorganizer. Could
he be true to the post he fills and do otherwise? In
respect to the non-essentials the utmost latitude of
judgment and diversity Of opinions admissible
among members Of the same party. But there must
be agreement upon fundamental principles, which
involve strict or latitudnous construction of the
constitution. The democratic party regards that
instrument as of enumerated and limited pow
ers and any departure from the true sense and i'm
port Of said powers as usurpation Arguments
deduced from convenience or Inconvenience should
here avail nothing But Mr.. M"Rae places Distri-
button on the basis of necessity. That is the high.
law doctrine of the rankest abolitionist;
tablish that rule of action and the constitution of
the United States is gone irrevocably: 1T is the to-
rants plea. Necessity indeed! Why is not Mr..
McRae disorganizer? He is most certainly op-
posed to the Democratic platforms both State and
national. And any one who witnessed his speaking
on Tuesday, could see that his chief applauders
were those who have always been ranked as the en-
emies of Democracy: Though he had it all his own
way here, one replied to him and showed up
the many fallaces into which he had fallen, we think
he mortified with she want of success he met
with. He confessed he was cold and felt off his
foot" but thought it was his cold reception that
chilled him.
He was studious to avoid expressing his senti-
ments about the Lecompton Constitution of Kansas,
now the great issue agitatng the country. Oh no,
he never mentioned l.. He would have North Car
DINA standing at the portals of the Capitol hat in
hand, begging few acres of unsaleable land, while
the great interest of the South is overwhelmed by
the Black Republican hordes of the North. Yes,
give US few for Railroads, &C.. and we will
suffer you to ride rough shod over US. Yes, he
would desert those patriotic Democrats Of the North
who have stood by US through good and evil report,
come veal or come woe. Yes. he would paralyze
the arm of the National Administration for few
acres of the Public Land. Mr.. McRae, in Gods
name, what is your "shcer" worth?
He spoke Of the State Debt, and is decidedly op.
posed to its being increased Here We shake hands
with the gentleman and say, Amen. But let us
| know what he says in the West In conclusion, we
ask the gentleman what has Governor Of the State
| to do with the Public Lands? And if it is a Demo-
| cratic measure, why don't the Democratic party
| that has the President and both branches of Con-
| gress, distribute themp
| The scheme is one of the many impracticable
political humbugs of the day, and it is rather too
late for Mr.. McRae to attempt to gavanize it into
existence. 1t will appear only ghost, to fright
the timid from their featy to the ancient land
| Gratis are not quite soft enough for that.
/ marked out for himself Had he been content to
bde his time and stick to the faith, position in
the State might have been below his ambition. He
is certainly gifted man, gifted in manner and gifted
| in language; but his ambition is Of that extreme
and irregular character that desires to rule ruin,
and it behooves the democratic party to nip in the
bud" and we have confidence that It will be done
| firmly, unAinchngly. Southerner.