The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-05-20
Internal Improvement.

3
early, steady, and successful prosecution of which
we have already become proudly distinguished
| among nations, is of such momentous consequence
that all intelligent and patriotic minds should be,
and properly are, interested in the subject ask
the insertion of few remarks upon it in the
columns of your widely extended journal
Ii will be conceded that the development of the
vast and interminable resources of our new and
growing "world" has become of universal interest
to the civilized world nor is 1t likely to be disputed
that, in aid OF the industrial habits and pursuits OF
our people, consistent with, and demanded by their
proverLa enterprise of character, railroads, ca
mails, artificial Iharbors and basins, where nature
has not provided them and points out their neces-
slty, are the obvious means prOmotlve OF that end
Science and experience suggest and prove them to
be what we want to secure-a speedy, safe, and
cheap ntercommunicatiOn throughout and with the
most distant parts of our most favored land aye,
and intimately connected with our common
defence" as nation, against possible aggression
by a foreign foe.
Strange, then, it is-most unwise and unpariotic it
seems-that what is of such national interest should
be attempted by the wings, to be made the test of
party land that, apparently they would have us,
the people, conclude they are the opponents, spar
erceHcnce," Of principles in the uniform practice of
which all our democratic Presidents (heretofore)
have evinced their enlightened wisdom and com
prehensive patriotism, for forty years, until now,
continuously.
The wings mean, of course, to emulate the ex-
ample of those distinguished sages and statesmen;
and in that, and all other good works, democrats
will cheenully accept their cooperation.
But, to the Immediate cause which has prompted
this communication /, like others, have received
much informatlon of late, on the subject, and want
more; nor do know any such ready means of pro-
curing speedy, wide-cast, requisite information,
as by asking for reference and distribution, the
more extended publication of reports made to Con-
gress by several of the officers of our army
would especially instance the able report of Co
lionel John j. Albert, of the Corps of Typographical
engineers, the of the western rivers nd
officer, by resolution of the Senate and very de-
srabe that able and condensed exposition Of
many and such important facts be at once spread
before the country. True, large edition of 1t has al
ready been printed by Congress and has been crcu
lated through the columns Of the Courier and Enquir
er but among Others have copy left to refer to-
and to study and being sure the people, in being
ghtened, would be amply compcnsated may now de-
sire its yet more extensive circulation by additional
order of Congress to print for in my Judgment do
cumcnts of this kind Of value all of the
people IL would be of great value also to print
ed with it the Senate document A. 2d session 10Th
Congressfor it contains statement of appropriations
for the construction and repair of roads and for the
Improvement of harbors and rivers in the United States
showing as far as practicable the amount expended in
each State.
and river improvements in all their great bearings upon
the country.
The first shows the Importance and extent of tho
SUBJECT the second that practical action of our GO
vernment to which have before referred under vari-
adm nistrations.
On that point the judgment Of a President certainly
may be inferred from his separate official acts but II
does not exactly follow that his " veto upon pari
cuar measure, because Of local. other Objectionable
features proof Of his repugnance the general prn
ciple Of the measure.
Unfortunately, II is too often construed otherwise
and because President may have refused his name to
bill for some particular harbor road he il ut
set down and quoted nmical to the general princi
pie aud power OF the general in favor of
harbor aud river improvements
reference to document ~, to which | have al
luded, and which wish called for will enable your
readers to correct this They will then what
each Preside has approved Each work so described
that II Will be recognised each year is given that
the time cannot be mistaken and the State being also
given the general diffusion Of whatever benefit these
works may confer-local as well gcneral-wi readi
ly be ascertained and understood. The two summary
statements ut the end of the documen mt Indicate at
glance the aggregate amount expended in each State
or territory with the years in which the
made.
And now confidently appeal to this aforesaid do
cument in proof that the system of road harbor and
river improvements, originated with the great demo-
cratic party OF the country, and Invariably received
the support Of that party under every and its ad
minstrations, with the sole and single exception Of
President Polk.
II commenced with Thomas Jefferson. who will de-
ny his democracy! IL was continued and extended
throughout the administration of the pure Writ ~us
enlightened Madison, universally admitted just
ponent of constitutional law and of the most de-
voted democrats Of the country IL was further ex-
another Virginia democrat and patriot
line recently dcparted-the venerable and most in
telectual John Quincy Adams, whose long life was