The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-16
Letter or the Hon. Humphrey Marshall.
Cry OF LoUIsvILLE, KEsrucKY,



sent at the mass meeting at the city of Evansville,
Indiana, on the 18th instant, would have been ac-
knowledged before this time, but that up TO the
present moment, ! have hattered myself with the
nope that ! could respond TO II in person, and
should be able to participate with you In the plea
sures of the day, well to unite in its graver
proceedings. But find must abandon the idea
OF visiting your city at this tnc because there are
SO many requisitions upon every moment of my
time by private affairs, which imperiously demand
attention before my departure for Washing ngton City
(which must be within ten days) that my absence
the proposed visit to you would amount to dere-
LECTION from acknowledged duty to Others am
compelled, therefore, most reluctantly to decline
the honor you have profiered me. and to postpone
the pleasure OF the visit to some distant period
cannot close this communication however,
without an assurance to yourselves and the people
whom you represent. that participate entirely in
the feeling which prompts the proposed meeting,
life, shall always be found ready to assist in every
legitimate scheme, having in view the promotion of
Western interests and the advancement OF the
prosperity of the Valley of the Mississippi.
hope very sincerely that the meeting of the 10Th
will prove but the first of series of meetings be
held by Western men having the same objects in
view which bring you into action | think it is
hlgh time Tor the West to 'come TO position" and
Iondly anticipate an organization, TO the result
OF this movement, which shall unite all classes and
parties, and continue, until justice is done to the
western interests by our public authorities, legis
lative and Executive.
attention of the General Government earnestly
upon your interests, and to cause such action MS
shall inure to your benefit the people of the West
must put their shoulders to the wheel in the first
instance. They must teach the representative that
they want action by Government in their behalf
and that he will be held to rigid accountability for
the failure to procure it; that he will be held TO a
responsibility well for the of his legiti
mate powers as Tor mis- of them Are ap-
preparations for Western improvements defeated
or postponed without considerations Let the peo
pie look into the Congressional record to ascertain
The cause OF the failure delay. The corrective
Is In their own hands. In this government no man
Is beyond the power of the people-no one has
grown so great but that the popular voice reach
his ear, or the public verdict can humble him; and
whenever the representative aspires TO command
instead OF obedience 1t is time for meetings of the
masses to teach him the meaning Of popular
reignty.
IT, on the other hand, the people Of the w est
to adhere to the doctrine that the General Govern
ment has no power TO make appropriations of the
public money for the improvement of western rivers
or western harbors thea they who refuse assistance
TO the accomplishment Of our views will gain the
issue We propose to form, and will stand vindicated
In their public course by the verdict of popular ap
probation. Our people must laugh to scorn the
lear OF ga corrupting system of internal improve
ment" As we'll might oppose the of the
locomotive for any purpose, because when di-
rected by corrupt or incompetent hands it will
scatter death about its track, as TO refuse the
use OF the governmental power in question be-
Constitution which is latitudinous as to allow
under the war power the erection of forts arsenals
and armorles; under the power 10 establish and
maintain navies, the establishment of navy yards
and rope walks; under the commercial power, the
construction of lighthouses piers, buoys, the sur
veys OF the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and by
geographic charts even OF the bottoms of bays and
lnlets from the ocean, and yet refuses to permit
Government to clear the bars 10 remove the
snags OF a Western stream, over whose bosom float
hundreds oil millions of value annually, and on
whose dangerous surface travel hundreds of thou
sands OF valuable men and women every year in
the legitimate pursuits of business, cannot be a
correct construction of the charter of Government,
and will not commend the approving judgment of
an intelligent people.
Against such construction the Western people
should, through their Representatives, present
undivided front in Congress. They should hear no
excuse or equivocal answer on the question Of
power from any candidate for office, and they
should carry the determination 10 compel attention
by the General Government 10 their legitimate de-
mands, into the exercise Of suffrage. When the
Western Statesmen shall teach the lesson the
floor Of Congress that Government which cannot
remove snag from the Mississippi, or control the
course Of the current. Of the Ohio cannot either
grant money 10 make fortihcation on the sea-
board, facility 10 the commerce at Boston
then, and not until then, will Western interests be
advanced
II the people Of the western country will look
narrowly into the appropriations actually made by
Congress, they will learn this fact, that the great
seaboard; that, under all administrations, the Con-
sdtution has been considered broad enough to per
init the accommodation Of the wants Of the people
of the eeaboard, and that such appropriations OF
public money have been made, under one name or
another, as should satisfy those wants. The theory
Of Constitutional power becomes always stringent,
and the construction nsrrows, when the applica-
ton is 10 be made TO the interior will enlarge
on this point "The Star Of Empire Westward
holds It's way :" shall soon have 100 representa-
tves in House OF 23l members, and when the
people Of The West shall be unite and their willie
tain. men will be found in sufficient numbers in
Congress TO give that will its way, and 20 adjust the
political action Of Government 10 a correspondence
Nith il, within the true limitations Of the Consttu-
! tion.
The fret Lesson for the West to mpart to public
men is, that her people will cherish those men who
labor for the promotion of her interests and the ad-
vancement OF her prosperity, and will turn away
from such discriminate against her ear 10 ad
rocGts her rights. My life upon It, single practi-
! cal enforcement Of tho teaching Of this text will
bring 20 her hosts Of friends from all sections Of the
/ Coniederacy.
The West is already the strongest section Of tho
Union; il Is the industrial heart Of the nation. BY
/ the pursuit Of a sound policy, the centre Of Amer
| can manufactures and commerce must, at no dis
tant day, be found in the valley OF the Ohio Thi,
| promise should, Of itself, unite our people, and
learn them TO act for the development Of their nte
| rests by every power they can legitimatcly com
| mand. The capitalist who seeks permanent in
! vestment Of his means in manufactures cannot anc
Cheap fuel, cheap, varied sure subsistence, readily
and certainly supplied; proximity 20 all the brou.
| material which enter into the manufacture Of fab
| rics; actual contact with incxhaustbo mines o
mineral wealth; the eascst acquisition Of freehold
for the abOrer and poltica oqus secured to him
under all our governments, means of rapid nte
municatOn with other parts of the country, and oil
acccss points for expOrtation 10 foreign markets
the presence church and the free school both
| our States testimonials Of enlightened civili-
! zatiOn) low taxes and remuncrating prices con-
nectcd with strict cndeavor 20 maintain public
faith; the absence Of mobs, of fana tcisn and folly
| as well a. the presence Of n patriotism among the
| masses which remain true to the Union are ele-
mcnts which tho intelligent capt. tlist will not long
overlook fail to avail himself Of Already thriv-
/ ing establishments have risen in midst, while
osstwsrd, from the absence ol many OF the elements
suggested, capital withdraws from business md la
bpr looks up in agony from its toll, without know
ing whittier 10 turn for employment. Ours Is the
favored land, and the lines OF our heritage have fall
len to in choice places Let IL be study be
always equal to the correct guidance Of the OF
our fortunes.
Legislation is means through which we can
make united effort TO advance our interests, and
VIC should all study the true Western policy.
Prominent among the heads 70 which your stten .
ton may be prohtably directed, Is the policy of