Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-02-23
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

We rejoice that the position which, after
some doubt, we have assumed with regard to
the Internal Improvement question by the
State, has been so fully appreciated and APP
proved. While, as usual, we daily receive
accessions 10 our list, and more recently, as
surances of the increased esteem and conf
dence of our patrons, we have had but one
letter from subscriber TO this paper, ordering
its discontinuance, because, in view OF the IN
terests of the whole State, we have thought
proper, in his own words, (Which, by the
way, carry rather compliment than other
wise,) "to take such stand in favor OF In
ternal improvements" All we have TO say
in reply is, that our friend is entitled to EMO
his own opinions; but if it is expected of US,
that, for the psltry sum of three dollars-or.
indeed, for any sum-we are to forfeit the
same privilege, the sooner the withdrawal Of
his name had been directed the better. 1t would
have contributed to our mutual good under
standing to have known this before, but the
occasion was never before presented. The
publisher OF political paper has very ardu-
Gus duty to perform. He has to consult the
views Of his patrons, and, at the same time,
many occasions may arise, in which the ne
Cessity of the case requires an expression OF
opinion before such an opportunity is had
The Internal Improvement question was just
one of them, and we admit that our course
was taken not without hesitation. AS far as
our opportunities for observation extended,
our views of the expedency of the measure
which had undergone change-were corro-
borated and approved by our patrons, and, in
particular, by those members of the party with
whom we had the opportunity to converse. Az
ter consultation with them, and much delibe-
ration, our position was taken. For the rea-
sons stated in a former number, we thought
the time had arrived when the party should
pronounce in favor of that General System
they had all along recommended.
We are just as much opposed as ever TO the
Internal Improvement of the States by the
General Government, and we were and are
especially opposed to the ruinous and extrava-
CANT local schemes heretofore adopted in this
State. If the occasion should be present
ed, our friends will find that we are as rea-
dy and as willing to exert our poor capacities
in defending the hostile position OF our party
TO those measures as heretofore. But this
question of Internal Improvement by the State,
in its present form, is another affair. The
Democrats deny the power TO Congress, and
why' Because, they allege, it is rightful-
ly possessed only by each separate and indi
vidual State. Now, if Congress is not to ex-
ercise the power, and our citizens need as.
sistance, who is to help them? The State,
most assuredly. The question upon which
differences have hitherto arisen, has been the
mode and the manner in which the assistance
has been given. No Democrat was ever so
absurd as 10 deny the right and power OF the
State, nay, its imperative duty, 10 foster and
encourage system-(as opposed to sectional
partizan ssheme)-of Internal Improvement by
the State.
Our paper is about 10 60 to press, and we
have no time TO say more, but we may again
have occasion to allude to the subject We
have thought proper to make the above dis
tinction with emphasis, because it seems TO
have been lost sight OF by some with whom
we have lately conversed.
President PoLK.-Tt having been stated