Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1847-08-31

national colours and steering by no con.
stitutional landmarks. Thus unpropi-
tiously attended, it has been driven from
its destined port, and COMPOUNDED with its
train of bad company, in a total ship.
wreck. It is herein this UNNECESSARILY
corrupt expedient of Iog-rolling, this a.
bominable trick of eking out a majority
OF unprincipled bounties to unprincipled
members who exact this condition for do.
ing their duty as high public functional
rles, where we may trace the worst bane
to this great cause. Where preiudices
have existed against the system of I'm.
provement, such scenes repeatedly oc-
curing, have seemed to justify, aud have
certainly aggravated them. The whole
doctrine has become associated with
ideas of unbounded Prodigality, shameless
legislative bargaining and selfish local
interests. Our Presidents, whatever may
have been their views, have rarely been
permitted to treat with the projects sepa.
rately, but have been called upon to adopt
by an indiscriminate sanction, not only
such as might have been reconciled to
their views, but others which were utter.
ly offensive to them.
Yet, after all these considerations have
been duly weighed, and the causes of this
injustice fairly estimated. it must, in be-
Aalf of the sacred rights of the West, be
declared that the executive department OF
the government has been governed by un-
tenable distinctions between Eastern and
Western commerce. After the various
and spirited discussions which the subject
has lately undergone, it will be needless
to retrace the ground with formal argu-
ment Whatever / may have to say on
this topic, postpone till future occasion.
At present remark, it is plain, that Pub.
lie opinion has become almost unanimous
for some improvement of our Lake and
River Navigation. am satisfied, also
that in time to come, the West will not
forget amid the din and uproar of party
conflict, to enforce this mighty interest
through the ballot box. The Democratic
party cannot be pushed into position of
hostility to it;-has neUer held such po-
sition. 1t has indeed resisted the intern.
al improvement doctrine run mad, and l
hope will continue TO resist it until it can
be placed on definite basis and guarded
by reasonable limitations. In doing this
we need not and sciH not lose sight of the
other great principles for which we have
so long and jealousy contended. Our
banneri is broad enough for every inscrip.
ton which true rational policy dictates.
But it is our duty as that party, on which
deyolves the mingled change of standing
fast by the shrine of the constitution and
OF promoting the prosperity ofthe country,
by all Legitimate measures, to speak out on
this question with emphasis, promptness
and precision. The East, the elder born,'
has too long nestled alone in the bosom
of Congressional favor. Millions have
been flung broadcast along her shores in
works Of safety, shelter and convenience
to her commerce, while thousands OF
miles of stormy lakes and fifty thousand
miles, of dangerous rivers have been shut
within which these familiar and unchal.
lenged expenditures have been audited!
If, indeed, that instrument does import SO
intolerable distinction; ifthe arm of our
federal government is really so short and
palsied at one point of the compass, while
it is so ample in its reach and so unbound
ed in its benefcence ct the opposite point;
if, by marvellous malformation, the same
organ, under the same national conditions
cannot perform the same functions upon
two objects of the same essential nature,
then, lett be regenerdted. Let the West
band her millions together into an iron.
phalanx, and at their head and in their
name, summon the nation to AMEND
this inequitable contract of Union!
hope the Democratic party will hold
counsel together upon this mighty question
in spirit of harmony and conciliation.-
Differences of opinion exist, more or
less, among our most eminent men, as
we'll as among the great mass of the peo-
pie. Some will not venture into quite as
high latitude of doctrine as others; but
with spirit, perhaps of superstitious rev.
erence, unroll the sacred pages of the
constitution with timid and trembling
hand. Others, of more impetuous temper,
exasperated at constructions, which, how.
ever plausible in theory, are grossly
inequitable in practice, and eager for the
all important objects proposed, would
open them with less delicacy and read
them with more sweeping eye. Entire
unanimity is not to be expected upon a
question, so full of nice determinations &
so perlexed with local anxieties. But l
hesitate not to say, it is to be expected and
justly demanded by the West, that soxe
scheme of improving the channels and
securities of our navigation, admissible
by those clauses of the fundamental law
under which analogous improvements
have been made elsewhere, almost from
time immemorial, be taken under the
auspices of the Democratic party, and