Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1846-08-18
JOLIET SIGN
/. THE IETa MESSaGR.
JOLIET, ILL.
Tuesday, August rs, IS16.

Il
We this week publish the Veto Mes
sage of Mr.. Polk, on the River and Har. |
Dor Bill. 1t is extremely to be regretted
that the President has felt constrained to
cut off at blow, all appropriations for
our rivers and harbors, on grounds oftech-
nical construction ofthe Constitution; and
that notwithstanding Democratic Presi-
dents have for years been in the habit of
approving measures of the kind, Some
extremely nice distinctions are taken in
the Message, which, it appears to us, are
of small practical consequence. If riv-
er should be improved, what matters it
whether port of entry is established at
one point or another-above or below?-#
The rivers ofthe great Mississippi Valley
furnish continuous navigation of over ten
thousand miles, through the richest coun-
try in the world. The annual value of
the commerce of these waters, has been
estimated at over three hundred millions
OF dollars. Is all this ofno consequence?
and is it not worthy the countenance and
protection of Government? The annual
loss of life in navigating these rivers, has
been estimated at one hundred and thirty
five persons. The annual loss ofproper-
ty in consequence of snags. &C., is i'm
mense. The States have no power to
enter into leagues for the improvement of
those streams running through several
States, and unless the federal government
wltt exercise the power, it must remain
dormant, and reckless loss of life and
property be the consequence. 1t would
seem as if the urgency of the case and the
magnitude of the object, should overcome
any new scruples which might arise in
the mind of an abstractionist.
But the appropriations for our Lakes
seem to be of the most pressing impor-
lance. 1t is on them that life and prop
erty, without the protection of safe and
convenient harbors, are most imminently
endangered. Their navigation can new
er be as safe as it should be, until large
sums are expended at convenient points
along their shores. And how is this to be
done? Are constitutional objections in
the way? Have we an im5eciIe govern
ment that can do nothing to protect its
| r,oiD branoboe &c oo,oroo-ao1 WI III -
the commerce of our lakes and rivers is
with foreign nations, or between the sew
eral States, matters not. Both are with
in the control of Congress, or our funda-
mental law is of but little practical utility.
/ The trade ofthe lakes now forms a strong
arm ofour national commerce. Paralize
it, endanger it, and we infict lasting
blow on the prosperity of the country. No
trifiing consideration can justify refusal
to afford the mariner shelter from the
storm, or a neglect to extend to him all
the protection and security which the per-
ilous nature of his employment viii war
rant.
And while western men have been Ia
boring with commendable zeal to get
through Congress appropriations which
almost seem Indispensable, it is extremely
painful TO the people ofthe West, who do
krow their necessity, to have them all cut
off at the close of the session by the &C
tion of the President. Yet, he has hts
duty to perform, and if he performs it
conscientiouslyw have no right to find
fault with the man. It is to be hoped,
however, that the West will soon be able
to exercise due influence in the affairs
of the nation-that she will be able to
command, and not be compelled to suppl,
cate. Meanwhile, let those of the Hi.
nois delegation, who saw fitto vote against
western interests, rest under their honors
as easily as possible, for day of retribu.
ton will come. The loss of a single life
for want of suitable appropriations, is O
more consequence than all the ultra no.
/ tons ofwestern orsouthern abstractionists
And we say let the West speak out on thi:
; matter, and demand that their commerce
which is sheir very life, have melted ou
to it that protection which more favored
parts ofthe Union have long enjoyed.
PANIc.-The Wing press is striving
hard TO create panic in the minds Of the
f people, in consequence of the new Tariff
Let them STRUGGLED The march Of Free
Trade is onward, and If is not in. The pow,