Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-03-27

Resolced That we believe that the proper ana
equitable disposition OF the pubic DOMAIN H. 10 at
vide the proceeds arising from heir sales among the
several States Of the Union according 70 the rates
of their federal population S. a IS r
The political viewsof Mr. Rayner are well known;
there are fewsmen more bitterly opposed to demo
cratic principles, and it must be matter OF pro-
found astonishment to him to find that according to
Mr. McRae he has been struggling for years in fav-
| or of a democratic measure. As Mr.. McRae con.
tends distribution" is q democratic doctrine, ana
as he Quoted Mr.. Edwards to sustain his assertion,
we presume he will abide by the opinion of his own
selected authority: -
series, contains matter of much graver import, AMI
invites the examination Of subject which has per-
picked the wisest heads What shall be done with
the public lands, is question becoming, every DAY,
more and more interesting on account OF the great
interests involved and the increased and increasing
jealousies between the old and new States IN re-
gard to them; and unless speedily and SATISFACTORY
" adjusted may prove a source OF the most astract
inc and incurable discords. l have ever believed,
that the only proper and rghtful disposition OF them
WAS for value and that there no warrant in the
Constitution, to give them or their proceeds to The
States old or new and thereby convert what is the
common fund of the Government OF the United
States into the separate property of each OF the
States. The reasons for this opinion, have had
occasion, more than once, to present fully to the
Legislature, at former sessions; to repeat them now
would be unnecessary trespass on the pat'ence
of the Senate, which I have already sufficiently
taxed.
But whatever opinion may be entertained in re
gard to this power over the proceeds of lands ac'
oured 6y cession from particular States had sup
posed and believed that it would never he seriously
claimed the vast acquisitions under the treaty
of Louisiana in 1903, and the Treaty OF FLORIDA IN
lS19 constituting, if my memory serves me, nearly
four-fifths Of the whole public domain Ihey are
r.. ~,
terms and conditions to be found in the deeds OF
cessiou from the States-nor were they obtained
by gift, but for price. They we're purchased OF
France and Spain, and paid for out of the common
Treasury, with the public money. And it would be
difficult to distinguish them from other stocks OF
the United States, whether in banks. roads, canals
or however else held. They all alike paid for
with the public money, equally the property OF
the United States and are regarded as sources OF
revenue. A distribution, then, of their proceeds,
would, he conceived be equivalent to the exercise
of power to distribute the revenues themselves,
and in this instance especially establish the power
to ,lect revenue for distribution"
Mr.. F. then quoted the report Of the Secretary OF
the Treasury, showing there was deficiency in the
Treasury to meet the necessary expenses oil Gov
ernment which was state of affairs precisely SINH
lar to that at present existing
Sow, sir, with these warning before us, are gen.
tlemen prepared to cut off this supply from four
to five millions, annually, and therefore reduce the
means in the Treasury so low as to render resort
to loans or taxes necessary? Shall the Legislature
of Southern State be accessory in sut]ectng the
Government of the United States to such eXtremi-
ties to oblige it to revive the odous and oppres
sive policy of high tariff? I trust we shall not
so soon forget the thraldom in which, few years
ago, the whole South entangled by this system
"a system so oppressive and ruinous in its effects
TO the labor. industry. and prosperity OF that whole
region, that the cisest and most patriotic began to
calculate the cost of the Union. revision of all
the laws upon the subject of the tariff may reason
ably be expected, in few years. The trial must
come and seems to me We shall very lily consult
our interest safety by cutting off source of rev.
enue which may be regarded as shield in the hour
of danger.
Rnt, asked Mr. L, in what position do the friends
of this resolution place themselves? Are they not
the advocates of power in Congress- the exercise oil
which may lead to the overthrow of all the iimita.
items upon tine powers of the Federal Government,
and an entire change in the relations between it and
the State Governments? Sir. would have the
States rely upon the aciU of their own people and
upon their resources for the means Of support
to Government, and not upon the berality or boun-
ty of Congress. Such reliance can alone secure
their own independence and the rights of the peo-
pie.
There is nothing should more regret than to see
the States look to the Federal Government for sup
pes-assuming the humiliating attitude of supple
cants for favor-for which the only return they
could make would be in concessions of political
power, and the practice of dutiful submission
The habitua acceptance of such favors would
scarcely fail to beget the necessity Of acquescing in
the terms and conditions upon which they are be-
slowed. Does the General Government desire to
prosecute any great work of internal improvement,
of education, of colonization and if you please, of
ernancipation-al objects not embraced within the
powers of that Government according to the Repub-
To:th T. has 40 but Tho
prosecution of such work the conditun of the grant
to the States. Do not know that the bill pass
ed in 1882 proposing to distribute the proceeds of
the public lands among the States but which, thanks
to Gen. jackson, was vetoed, contemplated their ap.
piication to education and internal Improvement,
and contained clause which was struck out, en-
bracing also the object of colonization? DO we not
also know that distinguished Senator from New
York, some years ago, proposed to appropriate the
proceeds of the public lands to purposes of emanci
patton Money is power-of its fatal influences
poor humanity exhibits many melancholy examples
1t is bad enough to tempt individuals but dangerous
indeed must that policy be, which holds out tempt
atoms to whole States, and which may tempt the
very sentinels the watchtower to betray the cit
adel of liberty itself.
Mr. Speaker, this subject opens field for debate
too wide for me- exhausted as I am, to attempt to
explore it. 1twoud be abuse ofthe kindness of the
Senate. / would dismiss it with the single remark
tnat seems 10 me, inc pest ana most equtaoe U.S.
position Of the proceeds of the public lands would
be, to leave them in the Treasury, to be disbursed
"for the common defence and general welfare and
that there would be too much danger, both in fin
ancia and political point of vew to distribute them
as gratuities, among the States"
POSTMASTER GENERAL BROWN AND HIS DEPARTMENT.
We are aware that the highest compliment, if we
may so speak, which can be rendered to a public
officer is to be found in the absence Of all complaints
against himself or those under his charge If this
be true, the very able and efficient head of the fed
eral Post Office is discharging the onerous duties of
his Department with singular energy, fidelity, and
ability. Such, indeed, is the case. The country
has, however. guarantee in the high qualities Of
Gov. Brown that nothing would be wanting on his
part to put the affairs of his office in the best pos.