The North-Carolina standard., 1849-02-21
oOAposrT1oN-cENTRAL RAILROAD.

to construct the great Central Railroad In connecto
with the other Improvements appended to 1t has m'
with considerable opposition from the people at iaIg
but more particularly from the members of the ID
mocratic Party. We have had the misfortune
differ with friends on this subject, and we ar
fearful that advocacy of what we honestly oeeH
ed to be of the greatest benefit to them and to IN
State has caused no little GOODNESS of feeling toward
u.s. Now we are not surprised at this In the least
we might almost say that we had expected 1t. w
do not therefore fell aggrleved at what we DelleV
to be an honest and sincere oppeSltlon-tor sucI
we believe it to be in the present case. We know
that very many of our political friends have strong
prejudces against Internal Improvements and ou
experience as State in that line, has certainly gon
far to confirm, if actually to have formed thos
very preiudices. The employment of unsklllful en-
gineers to open the navigation of our streams ant
the running of two parallel railroads, by both whci
operations the people and the State have become In
volved to large amount, accompanied by suosequen
unwise Legislation with regard to those schemes
have produced an unwillingness to try any more ex
periments in the way of Internal improvements. Inc
preiudices of our friends we think are reasonably
founded, and we respect them accordingly. But Il
the result of our first efforts had always deferred US
from subsequent exertion, then there would nave
been an end to all Intellectual and physical advance
ment; and man would this day be crawling thing
instead of the noble creature that he is with his
eountenance directed towards his heavenly prototype
Although we like friends, have been opposed
to the system heretofore adopted in the State as
partial and inpotc in the extreme, we yet hail this
eral in its benefits the State at large, but also
having direct tendency resuscitate the old works,
which would otherwise be dead loss to the people.
This view of the subject we Will examine more at
lenoth in some future number; we at present merely
to discuss another question arising out OF Its
passage. 1t has been pronounced not to be demo-
cratic neasure-let see if the proof sustalns the
allegation. Laying aside for the present any state
ment of facts bearing circumstanally upon the point
at ISSUE we march right up to the general question,
whether Internal Improvements by the States be de-
mocratic or anti-democrauc.
Now it is cardinal principle OF Democratic falth
that the General Government possesses no Constr
tutona power to construct roads through the Staes
or to open canals and that even II this power belong
ed to it its exercise would be ImPotc, lnexPedlent'
and dangerous. And what IS the plain deduction
from this position! That because the General Gov
ernmeIt cannot do these things the States cannot!
Surely not The States are the very parties comPe-
tent to act in this matter; and if they fail to aid their
citizens, either by Charters or by Investments OF cap
ita from the stock, of course nothing can be
done.''
We suppose no will deny the use and benefit of
some means either natural artificial, to carry oil
the surplus produce OF the interior OF country to the
markets on the seaboard. Nature has denied
river-we must then resort to a Railroad, or Turn
pike, or Canal, or Plank Road something else In
It's stead: Well-but to whom must we look to
perform the work Congress cannot do 1t, we of
the Democratic school contend for the stated
above. Who then but the States themselves can do
it-private individuals alone certainly cannotl The
Democratic doctrine therefore forces the State govern
mens if they would be to their interest," adopt
systcms of Internal improvement. Acting this
principle, the quondam Democratic States of New
York and Pennsylvania have intersected every por
ton of their territory with canals and railroads, and
the great and rapid development of their mineral and
agricultural resources has proved the wisdom OF their
policy Our sister Democratic States of Virginia
and South Carolina not far behind the other two
they have dug canals and built roads, and their ct
zens have been enriched thereby-ay, and are nOc
]. D. sI.oo
build it too. We contend therefore that general
rule, Internal Improvements 6y tie Slate IS a. pure
democratic doctrne-or at any rate the natural result
of a pure democratic doctrine.
But it may be contended that this particular bill
was not Democratic, from the fact that if it had been
put to the people, they would have decided against
it. We believe the premise is incorrect-we do not
think that the people would have voted it down. |
They would have opposed, as their representatives
did, any one isolated plan, partial and sectional in
Is character-but when this grand scheme, with its
various radiatons and branches beneftng almost |
every part of the State, and forming a connecting
link of friendship and interest between che East and
the West, the North and the South, they would have
followed the example of their agents in this likewise
and have given it handsome majority. If we did
not believe this, would not call it a Democratic
measure If it is said the bill passed by logrolling
and fraud-we reply that log-roing does ail0ays
imply fraud. Sectional Improvements would |
most strenuously oppose; because We do not think |
the money of the people al large should be voted
away on project, that could benefit perhaps but a
small portion But when the different sections come
together, and say let unite and for each 9TH
ers' projects, separate and distinct, but con-
neced chain that will be of general interest to all
and to every one then the logrolling loses its obec
tionable character, and it be styled nothing more
than union of interest for the sake of interest-that
interest being just and constitutional, although
obtained by previous agreement and consultation.
But it has been said that in advocating this meas
have Joined the Federalists, and have become
Whig. Become Wing! Become q FederaEst
NEVER. When reason shall have deserted its sway
in mind, and shall have become an inmate of
the Asylum for the Insane-when we have ceased to
is capable of selfgovernment-when we shall have
handed down to us by Jefferson, and Madison, and
Jackson-when we shall desire to see this fair fab
Ec tumble to the ground, and monarchy built of its
broken fragrants-when we shall wish government to
create monied aristocracy, whose pampered taste
will brook equality much less superiority of bene-
shall desire to see the States become
pensioners and benefcaries at the hands of
ernment with the claim of gratitude to back its en-
croachments-then and then only will we haul down
flag, and forever the motto inscribed on its
folds-'States' Rights, and strict construction of
the Constitution" HiNsGorough Democrat.
PLANK ROADS. This recent invention is growing
rapidly in public favor, and roads which have been
have proved cheap and eligible. There
are number of bills before the Legislature for
the incorporation of companies to construct these
roads, and general plank road law has already been
passed. Among other projects in contemplation, is
a road from Pittsburgh to Erie-Erie to Waterford