The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1858-03-03
From tho Fayetteville Observer.
A GREAT SPEECH. ,

duncan n. Mchac, Esq, auuTtsseu luz
citizens of Cumberland and Harnett, in this
place, on Tuesday evening last. We have
heard many political speeches in our day J:
few have held The unwaverlng attention OF so
large and intelligent IN audience for such a
space. The writer may mention, as an in
stance, that during the three hours occn-
pied BY Mr..McRae, he, as many others were,
was upon his feet, feeling no WEAKNESS, only
sorry when (and because) the entertainment
was at end. There was close, clear, sound
reasoning: historical recital, always inter-
esting, never tiresome: sharp but pleasant
sarcasm now and then: magnificent decla-
nation, as the speaker warmed with his sub
ject and maintained the right Of North
Carolina TO portion of the public domain.
MIR. McRae opened his speech by main
tanning his right to position in the Demo
cratic party, denied him so bitterly by his
assailants among the Democratic press. His
views on the land question as now presented
had been first cnunciated in the Spring OF
1852, and since that time he declared and
! proved that his soundness as Democrat had
been endorsed by his party in every possible
way. Immediately after their PRONUNCIATION,
lin Wilmington, he was appointed by the
| Democrats of New Hanover to represent
them in the State Convention. A member Of
| that body, he was chosen to preside over II.
He left the chair, in caucus, to advocate q
resolution expressing his land views in place
Of the stereotyped Democratic resolution,
and he was again endorsed by its adoption
He was appointed torepresent the Democrats
\ Of this District in National Convention, and
BY the delegation from this State, all fami-
I liar with his views, he was placed upon the
i Committee to construct platform for the
/ Democracy Of the Union. Having succeeded
in electing Mr.. Pierce, be was recommended
by every Democrat in the State Legislature,
+ bv every member Of the Electoral College,
with a single exception, by every Democra-
tic member of Congress from North Carolina,
4 Tor one of the most honorable and important
foreign missions in the gift of the govern
ment. Whilst canyassing this District, a
candidate for Congress, advocating the views
be was now presenting, he was appointed 10
an honorable position abroad, by the Admin
istration; an act not repented OF, IS some OF
his assailants alleged, but done with fall
knowledge of his views, aud after full and
long consideration. He held in his hand a
letter from Mr.. Dobbin, sustaining him IN
every particular. II was at any ones ser
vice.
He had not stepped beyond the party
bounds to present his views. They had not
originated with him. The party placed him
where he stood. He could not 90 back, and
his party were bound in honor 10 sustain him.
They had declared time and again, in Con-
yention, in solemn acts of legislation, that II
the squandering Of the lands continued and
became the settled policy Of the Government,
North Carolina should demand and receive
f her share. Is il the settled policy: III 20
years succeeding the formation Of the Gov
eminent, the donations had exceeded tie
sales il value by s30.OuO,0OO in three sue
eeeding years Slj, 10000 had been added "a
I that excess. If three years accomplished hall
Of what 20 preceding years had done, coald
there be any doubt Of the practice: Tile
present session Of Congress was prolific oi
such bills. he held in his hand the Official
paper of Congress, from which he read bill
after bill introduced by such democrats a,
Houston. Of Ala. nov Chairman 81 the Judi
ciary Committee, late Chairman Of the Way.
aud Means Cobb of Ala, Chairman Of the
Land Committee. and in that capacity WELD
ing more power over the public domain than
the President himself; Warren, Of Arkansas,
and Barksdale, Of Mississippi. Had not the
time for action, as declared by the Demo
cratic party, arrived: Or when would il ar
rive: Only fix him definite time, aud he
might wait for ID.
/ Passing from personal matters he main
tanned the constitutional right to distribute
the lands. The provision was one 81 the
most important 10 the Constitution, framed
by slch men as Adams, Jefferson, Hamilton.
Madison, Washington men, whose mantlcs.
II was no di.pafagement 10 say, had fallen
upon none Of the present generation. The
power was clear TO " dispose Of" the ierriior,
aud other property" Il was the largest
possible power. No clearer or mnre com.
prehensiye term could have been used. n,
power had been 0itener exercised. Year after
wear. back 10 the formation IF the Govern.
ment, and even 10 the DAYS o. the oil Con.
federation, lie traced the exercise Oft right
less disputed as you nearer approach the day.
81 the trainers of the Constitution. In tie
very wear Of the cessi0n Of yirginia's mag.
niieent domain, Congress voted away large
quantities ii the several States. lie did No,
now speak II " alternate sections" donations
but naked gifts Of splid Jumps. Land had
been given to Kentucky 10 1916 to build an
asylum: tile only objection then raised, and
thar by an AlaDama Democrat, was that the
distribution was not general land had been
given 70 Connecticut. for the same purpose
Rsbi. con-, and selerted from the government
land. in Florida or Arkan.ss. Land had
been given 10 Gen. LAFAYETTE: not a. paw.
thai Was given in money, but ss testimonial
81 lie gratitude Of free people 10 tie friend
vino had fought To- them 10 their hOurof need
Land had been given 10 tie refugees from
Poland, when that State was bi0tted from
tie map Of natinns Other property,
money, lad been given to every Imaginable
object. To ireland, to Caracas, 10 any.
body and for every thing. II had beer
objected by some that il Congress had III,
right 10 give away land, il might also xiv,
away our Navy or part Of II. That yers
thing had occurred very recently. The Re.