The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-10-23
Western improvements and Western EIec-
tiOns.

\ fortnight hence the people of several of
new their representatives in Congress. Before
doing 80 it might be well for them to call upon
their present representatives for an explanation
Of the causes of the almost total failure of
Western measures at the last session, while
every Southern measure was carried through
Should such call be made upon any one of
| them, we fancy his reply, if accurate, would be
likely to be couched in the following terms:
In obedience to your wishes, fellow citizens,
endeavored to obtain the passage Of bill appro-
priating large sums TO the improvement of various
harbors the lakes, and to the clearing out Of
Western rivers; and for long time ! entertained
an entire confidence that on my return | should be
enabled to congratulate you upon the accomplish
ment Of that great object, often and long de-
feated by the pstos Of our Democratic Presldents
Il was well known that the only difficulty lay with
Congress, because, fortunately for ne Western
Democrats, We had Wing President favorable to
the measure, but, even had it boon otherwise, in.
disposed to set up his private opinion against that
| Of the assembled wisdom Of the nation, az repre-
.ented on the floor Of Congress In common with
my colleagues, felt that we had to rejoice
Ia having a Hing Administration, that would en-
able US TO pass this just and necessary law. and
was therefore encouraged 10 make every effort 10
secure its passage through the two houses Of the
Democratic Congress.
." Ia addition TO this great measure, we desired
to obtain appropriations Of public lands in aid Of
the ooustrucion Of great public roads Of much inn
portAnce 10 yoursclycs and 10 the Union, and for
many months had good reason TO hope that this
important object would be accomplished. The diff
hculties in our way were theso Our eastern Dem.
ocrAtic friends being pledged to follow in the foot
steps OF ASDRgw JACgsos and JAMS X. Polk,
they regarded IL as updemooratic 70 make any con-
tribution towards saving the lives and property Of
Westrn men, though perfectly democratic TO vote
millions towards the destruction ofthe lives and pro-
perty Of MSrican men, shown in the cordial
support Of the late administration and our South
ern Democratic friends, having failed TO find in the
Constitution any word about rivers and harbors.
had arrived at the conclusion that il was violation
Of State rights to make appropriations in aid Of
We'trn Improvements, although perfectly oonsti-
tutonsl 10 appropriate, IL needed hundreds Of mil.
lions to the extension Of Sorlier,i territories even
although 1t might happen that the Constitution
might have TO be violated for the purpose ofdrng-
Ring that territory into the Union. Fortunately
for va. my friends, tho Wings, although in mi
norty, constituted with us majority, and they, "a
you well know, are aitcdps favorable TO measures
tending 10 the Advancement Of our prosperity, 60.
ing, almost ne one man, for every measure tending
TO the improvement Of our existing territory, al
though generally opposing our schemes for wasting
the treasure Of the nation in the enlargement Of the
space which are 30 much inclined to ds-
perso ourselves. Upon their aid Il was that we ro-
lied, and they did not disappoiut us.
Differing, as we did, from them in regard 10
men, there no difference in regard 10 Western
measures. We had voted for CAss and they for
TAyLop, yet We found them fast friends Of the
West. They said 10 You desire 70 make roads
In the West, that your lands may b. settled. We,
too, desire that they I've made; for we know that
the more the West il enriched the better will il
be for The East for your interests are in perfect
harmony with our own. We are willing that
your harbors and rivers be improved, that thereby
the access by water 70 your lands may be faciits-
ted; and We are willing 10 release 10 you our
claim on large portions Of the public lsnds, that
you may the proceeds in making railroads
that the 10 the interior Of your several States
may be improved Further, we desire 10 adopt
measures 10 enable you TO obtain people who will
mako your roads and settle your lands when thua
improved; fret making market for your pro-
ducts, and afterwards feeding those who will fol-
low them in the making Of other roads and the
settling Of other lands. Under the tariff Of 1872
immigration grew from seventy thousand to more
than two hundred thousand; and IL would have
continued 10 grow TO this hour, had the policy Of
the nation remained unsltered. Under the tariff
OF 1876 our mills, our furnaces, and our mines