The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-05-18

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of that party which party the only constitutional
one In existence and which had endeavored to uphold
the interests of all sections, and fighting the
battles of the South against black republicanism and
| the enemies of State equality.
FROM the gloomy picture drawn by his opponent Mr.
AcRae, one might be led suppose that we were on
the verge OF ruinbut the picture had overdrawn
and exaggerations made that facts would not Justify
Under democratic administrations our territorial limits
had increased three-fold-our people were contented
and happy, and, in majority of cases prosperous
Such would not have been the the misrule had
predominated that his opponent had pictured up
Inc Constitution ought TO be strictly construed and
upon this principle the democratic party had
ed 10 act In the early history of the Government
proposition was made to lquidate the debts of the
states by the General Government which was resisted
by the democratic party and prevented-Mr McRaes
scheme tended in that way now. Gen jackson had
given death blow works of internal Improvement
by the Government but his friend Mr. McRae was try
ing to lnaugurate similar principle by getting the
public lands for that purpose although he still claimed
to be democrat. This would not accord with Jack
son democracy with the principles of the party at
the present time. His opponent had magnified the
State debt and wanted to the people about taxes
both parties responsible for the State debt and
1t was unfair to try to injurc the democratic party with
the cry OF high taxes. The arguments his opponent
tended strongly towards repudation which would be
dhonorable to the State and its citizens If this debt
was never paid until got public land to pay it with
it would certainly go unpaid.
The Judge then alluded the practices of the demo-
cratic party with regard U. S. Bank high tariff &C.
and showed the injurious effects and unfarness of high
tariffs But ifMr McRae's plan adopted, the tariff
must be increased again, and dollar received
two would have to be paid back to the Government
which benc
great injury of the South.
This time for any one to try to disorganize the
democratic party. 1t the only national party in
exstence-Scnator Seward had said that it the
only party that had successfully resisted black rcpubl
caniSm-all other parties had been overpowered by
northern anatcism, and it the duty ofevery pa
ro to strengthen the democratic party instead of try
ing weaken it. His competitor had declared against
the original Kansas BILL and condemned the n c. mem
bers for voting for it, He thought they did right
the southern people almost unanimous in this
opinion. 1t was objected that Kansas got too much
land but she had got than other States coming
into the Unonhis competitor had not raised this OBJ
lection to other States when they applied for admission
and it strange that he should object Kansas on
this point.
Objection had been raised by his opponent to the
democratic Convention and its patform-he ridiculed
both-said the resolutions evasive and meant
nothing. But said the Judge look the gentleman's
letter announcing himself candidatc-it composed
of different timbers, plank for democrats and
other for whigs-he was trying to play the game of
open and shut, the advantages of which were all on
one sde-open shut his opponent expected to win.
NIr McRaes proposition close the land offices
and withdraw all the lands from market and then
Henry Cays plan deposit all the surplus money
in the treasury with the different States until the Gov
eminent needed it. The latter plan his opponent had
pronounced wrong, and had said that it stain
upon that gentemans escutchcon But for his part
did think so-of the two he liked Mr. Clay's plan
the best-thought it practicable. If Henry
Clay with all his ability, failed to succeed with his
plan how could this distribution candidate Govern
do anything? According to the rule of strict
structon, distribution could not be accomplished Mr.
Calhoun had said such the overwhelming consti-
tutional difficulties attending this measure that man
who for it would be ready swallow almost any
unconstitutional the schemes abolitionsn
Mr. c. a southern man, STAKEHOLDER, and he had
pronounced against the practicability of distribution
not his warning worth something? Jackson, Ben
ton Webster, Clay and King had pronounced it
sttutonal Webster had said we author
lied give away the public lands than the money in
the public treasury. This time for southern
men to favor unconstitutional schemes. Such things
would be resisted in every aspect.
But Mr. McRae himself, time, thought this
scheme unconstitutional. resolution introduced
into the Legislature of 1872 declaring that North Caro-
lima entitled to her share of the public lands and
Nr NcRae poted against it. If it wrong then it is
wrong Upto 1882, his opponent had been OPP
posed distrbution-he had stood upon the platforms
adopted by the national Conventions of the party, and
they declared against the prncple-but now he came
forward and said it had always been practicable.
Complaint was made because land had been given to
the new States and it charged that it being
squandcred in this way lie denied this, and contend
ed that in most value had been received by the
Government. There may have been some mprudent
grants-no doubt there grants made that he would
have voted against The land received by Illinois had
been cited instance of this kind but the gentle
man should remember that Mr. Fillmore signed that
bill and democratic President not responsible
for it.
The public domain should be kept a source Of
revenue to the Government. From the foundation of
the Government to the present time $780, 900 had
gone the public treasury from this sourcehad it
been for these sales this amount would have been
collected from the pockets of the people large por
ton of the land given away went to the soldiers who
had fought our battles and their widows and orphans
was not this rght-did not them something?
Judge Ellis then stated his position with regard to
He was in favor If extending