The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1874-01-07

AOsf huu tnOih ait picsseu ia hcattus auu
crowned with prosperity.
THE PUBLIC DEBT QUESTION.
On our first page will be found letter
of our Senator, Mr.. Norwood, and the bin
which he has offered as substitute for that
of Mr.. Worth.
The bill Of the latter gentlemanis before
the public, and synopsis ofi.s plans and
principles have already appeared in this pa
per.
The question is one of grave consequence
to the State and upon the settlement Of
which hinges its future destiny. tits emf
aently right that it should be gravely and
deliberately considered, and that no ques-
lions Of mere expediency and no pleas Of
present necessity should drive to conclu-
siOus which may be fraught with future
shame. and that nothing should be done to
imperil that fame for integrity for which in
times past North Carolina had 50 preemi-
nent claim.
- II is the right Of every one to entertain
and express opinions upon subject in which
every citizen Of the State has an equal
stake. And it is only BY this free express
sion Of opinion that legislators can be guild
ed in framing plans for relief. and in finding
an extrication from the labyrinth in which
the financial interests Of the State are en-
tangled.
In the exercise Of this right. we are free
to say. that neither the bill Of Mr.. Worth
nor that Of Mr. Norwood meets our full
concurrence. The latter gentleman as
sumes condition Of things to which we are
not ready to assent. namely, state Of abso-
lutte poverty and inability to meet more
than current State and County obliga-
tons, and therefore proposes a confession
Of Pauperism. and an appeal to the genero-
sity Of the General Government, for the as
sumption Of the State debt.
Surprising the appeal to be successful.
the result would be the complete abnega-
tiOn Of State sovereignty, the farther
strengthening Of the growing idea Of nation
al consolidation. the tying Of another cap
tive to the chariot wheel Of Federal Usur.
patton. lift is rot successful. and under
the general demand for reireDcbment, and
the manifest diminution Of the resources u
the national Treasury. it most probabl,
sill not be i there ;sadded The humiliation
q denial, % which mas Be affixed sheer.
ing reprimand to the sturdy beggar to sup
ply bis own wants.
And the reprimand will not be undesery.
ed, for i cannot be said that North Caro-.
lima j. poverty stricken beyond hope Of re.
coyery. POOrsbe IS comparatively, beyond
doubt. The ravages Of var. .hc loss Of
slave property. and the changed system d
labor have crippled Der terribly. But thu
principles Ofrecuperation are in Der and &c.
lively at work. and must soon restore Cui
people 70 condition Of comparative pecu.
mary Independence.
The glowing pictures q Reyerdy Johnso.
may be overweight and bis eloquent ap.
peals 70 State pride. aud the statement q
honor may Be ssc.ibed to the fscile elo.
qasnce 81 tie paid advocate. Yet there i
enough Of truth in them 70 strip u Of ID,
defence Of poverty and enough Of eneou.
rsgement % cheer us on 70 active exertion
With production Of cotton Lringin,
North Carolina high Up il The rank Of ii,
cotton states. With tobacco yield which
makes her third % the lis, in the produc
tion Of that staple. With the highest rank d
sprOducer u naval stores. with her valua.
be fisheries, With her stores Of forest. mine
rslsnd agricultural wealth. she cannot Ion,
remain under present depression.
TApd Il i ID contemplation q those re-
sources. that We are not prepared 70 yielt
an azeut 70 all The provisions Of Mr
Works bill. There Is elias Of debt 10.
eluded IN Bis classification which We thinl
should not be scaled. I.hs debt for whicl
full value vas received snd which vas 10.
CURED under circumstances % gratifying d
slsle pride, that IL integrity should uesel