The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-09-23
The Internal Improvement Test.

1t is hoped that parties may be made to show
their hands In Congress on the great question
of Internal improvements We desire to sec
test vote, and to try the sincerity of the various
wings of Locofocoism. We desire to see the
Opposition on the record once MORE in support
of the views of Mr.. TYLER, Mr.. Polk, the
Baltimore convention, the late Coalition con
vention at Syracuse, and the g elite of the dis
tlnguished Democrats of Richmond''-or like
men seeding from that school. and honestly
admitting that the policy of the WHIGs and
the Administration on this subject is the true
policy Let US know who are the friends and
who are the enemies Of Internal improvement,
without lodging or equlvocation. If the Lo-
cotoco representatives Of the North and West
are disposed TO go with the Abstractionisrs and
Dlsunionsts on this subject, on the Tariff,
let them frankly say 50 to their constituents.
If they are otherwise disposed, let them unde-
ceive their Southern allies, and admit that their
Baltimore resolutions are all sham and bubbles
1t is desirable that the people should under
stand the difference on this subject between
Locofoco and Wing ascendency. We wish
W ott oCosioii VI SOlISltoS uiucI
VINO Administration signalzed by the passage
Of Iarbor and River bill. and by its signature
by WING President. Four bills in succession
that have passed Congress for the improvement
of the western lakes and rivers have been de-
fealed by Locofoco Executives. Mr.. TYLER
vetoed two of them. Mr. Polk vetoed one and
retained the other and all this was in Difference
to the views and opinions of that wire drawing
and hair-splitting class of politicians who, under
Locofoco dominion, always exercise the most
baneful influence upon every thing that wears
the aspect of progress or improvement.
These are the men who are always upper
most when Locoiocoism is in the ascendant.
They dictate the policy of administration.
They blast the industrial interests Of the coun-
try, by repudiating all measures for their pro-
| lection. They are now seeking to introduce
Canadian competition to the injury Of our ag-
ricul,urists. They overthrow the tariff of 1872
They caused Mr.. TYLER to veto the improve
ment bills of 1914 anc lS45, and Mr. Polk to
veto the improvement bills Of 1916 and lS47.
Let them be brough. to the test nolc--at the
present scsson-and let the people of the West
know who are in favo, Of improving their lakes
and haTbors-protectirg their property and the
lives of their citizens-and who are opposed to
it. In the light of this knowledge, they may
be able to Judge whether it is better for them
TO vote for Locoioco nominees under instruc-
tions from the Baltimore convention, or for the
long tried and consistent advocates Of liberal
VINO policy on this subject.
In the test vote recently taken on the Tariff,
we saw the Locofocos Of Maine, New Hamp-
shire, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and
Indiana, uniting with the Abstractionists and
Disunionists to vote down any attempt at leg
islatng in favor Of the great industrial inter
ests Of the country--the whole country; for we
contend that Georgia, and Tennessee, and
South Carolina, and Alabama, are as deeply
interested in the protective policy as the peo-
pie Of Pennsylvania or Massachusetts,. We
wish to see the same gentlemen on the record
together in vote on the Internal Improvement
question. Let us know whether the Admins
tration is in minority or a majority on this
subject
Locofocoism has made at least two interest
ing points at the present sessOn-One on the
vote for WILLIAM j. BRowS as Speaker of the
House, and one on the Tariff In these two
questions all the branches Of the Democracy CO
operated with entire harmony and good feeling
We look for similar cooperation on the Har-
Dor and River bill--or an abandonment Of Mr..
Tyler, Mr.. Polk, the Baltimore convention,
and the " distinguished Democrats Of Rich
mond," by formidable wing Of LocofOcoism.