The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-08
7 II + r E 2 u b Ii G..
WASHING TON:
THURSDAY MORNING. NOVEMBER s. 1874.
Internal improvements.

the old-line Locofoco leaders-the elite OF
Richmond and the regents of Albany
would abandon their bitter and narrow
minded hostility TO the system. They
pay no regard, however, to the will of the
people. They adhere to their restrictive
dogmas, and the Baltimore resolutions
and take issue with the Democratic Wings
on the doctrines Of Mr.. PoLK's two Vetoes
OF the River and Harbor bills. On this
question, as on most others, these Old
Hunkers are half century behind their
age. They are still hard at work in their
barges and scows, polling their way up
and down the rivers, while the WHlGs
would step into the steamboats, and "gc
ahead" Every thing must be done by
Old Hunkerdom according to the resolu-
tons OF '9S-and if doctrine is not to be
found there, it is unconstitutional. This
Is one reason why the people eschewed
the Baltimore candidate for the Presi-
dency. They were tired of those obso-
lete and efete doctrines which he SC
cordially approved" The opposition tc
General CAss and the Baltimore dogmas
included large majority of the American
people, who utterly repudiated the doc
trines put forth by the Locofoco conven-
ton; and yet the Opposition journals
stand by them just as stiffiy as if they had
not been SO pointedly condemned by pop
ular opinion. They take their cue from
the elite of the Richmond Democrats, and
that miserable clique of bankrupt politi-
clans still aspires to control the destinies
of this great country. If they could have
their way, they would reduce every State
IN this glorious Union to the PROSTATE
condition in which they have kept Virgil
MIA for fifty years. If different counsels
from theirs had prevailed in the Old Do
mInIon, how different would have been
her present condition in population, wealth
and prosperity!
Whatever may be the political COM
plexion of the next House of Representa-
tves, we think there can be no doubt that
the WIG policy in regard to Internal I'M
provements will be completely triumphant.
The more the Opposition journals carp and
cavIl at it, the worse it will be for the Lo-
cofoco party. Even General CAss, in
spite Of the Baltimore resolutions, the
"noise and confusion," and variety of
other matters, will be compelled to sup
port a pretty liberal system of improve
ments. All the Barnburners and Free
Sellers will support it, if they are true
to their own doctrines as laid down in
the Buffalo platform, in the words of the
following resolution
80. ResoIUed, That the river and har-
Dor Improvements, whenever demanded
by the safety or convenience of com
merce with foreign nations, or among
the several States, are objects of national
concern and that il is the duty of Con-
gress, in the exercise Of its constitutional
powers, TO provide therefor"
Nothing, indeed, but an opposition
purely factious can prevent the Who's
from carrying out their policy of Internal
Improvement, in spite Of the efforts Of the
Virginia school of politicians. Richmond
and Albany combined cannot prevent ii.
The public works begun under the admin
istrations Of Mr.. ADAMS, General JACK
SON, Mr.. VAN buren,, and Mr.. TYLER,
will no longer be permitted to remain half
finished, and decaying for the want Of the
means necessary TO complete and repair
them. The constitutional power exists
beyond doubt, though il has been denied
and is now denied by men who could see
their way clear to expend the public
money in the exploration Of the Dead Sea,
and to offer Mexico FIVE millions Of dollars
for right Of way across the Isthmus OF
Tehuantepec This is the gnat-straining
and camel-swallowing capacity Of these
strict constructionists, who now raise their
warning clamor against the Internal I'm
provement policy Of the Who's.
To what extent the WHICs may be dis
posed TO carry this policy remains TO be
seen. We may be sure that they will
carry it far enough TO cover the two bills
making appropriations for the Improvement
Of harbors on the sea-board and the lakes,
aud the removal of distractions in the
western rivers, that were vetoed by Mr..
TYLER. They will no doubt carry it fan
enough TO cover the bill passed by Con
gress al it, first session after the accession
Of Mr.. Polk, and when he had a majority
of sixty votes in the House of Representa-
tives. This bill appropriated 1878, 450
nearly the whole amount Of which was fol
the continuation Of hsrbor and river i'm
proyements commenced under previous
administrations The second bill vetoec
by Mr.. Polk proposed an expenditure o