The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-06-03
Tho Thorn in the Side OF Democracy.

If we can Judge from the tone of our Western
journals, both Wing and DEMOCRATIC, the
views Of the metropolitan DEMOCRATIC organ
on the subject of River and Harbor improvements
do not commend themselves particularly to the
Western people. They are not satisfied that
the bill of the last session was eXtrayagant, be-
cause it appropriated two millions OF dollars and
upwards; for they have had no appropriations
for upwards of six years-and two millions di-
vided by six show very inconsiderable annual
appropriation. They are not satisfied that
there is any, force in the objection that there
was not enough appropriated for the Western
rivers, in relation to the other topics of expen-
diture because, however small was the appro-
priaton, it was so much larger than nothing
that its intended benefciaries would have been
very glad to receive it. Nor do the DEMO-
Gratis think that there is much force in
the idea that the DEMOCRATIC opposition
to the bill was necessary " to deepen the party
lines'-to show that the DEMOCRATIC party
had not gone over to Mr.. CLAY, or to please
Mr.. RHETT and the Abstractonsts They
think that the more the party lines are deep
ened in this behalf, the worse it will be for the
DEMOCRATS. They think that it would be
well if the DEMOCRATS could only prove that
they had gone over to Mr.. CLAWS doctrines on
this subject. And as for Mr.. RHETT and the
Abstractionsts, they think the more the DEM
ocRATs try to concliate them, and adopt their
views, the worse it will be for them.
Such is now the condition ofth DEMOCRACY
of the West and Northwest, that the only i'm
portant issue formally presented by the DEMO
CRATIC Senatorial caucus OF the last session,
is said by Mr.. JOHNSON, of Arkansas, to be a
''thorn in their side" We observe that the
"orthodox repubIicansm" of Mr. JOHNSON is
vouched for both by the Union and the South
crn Press and we presume, therefore, that
both these journals will receive him as good
DEMOCRATIC witness to the point for which we
call him. If Mr.. JOHNSON, then, is to be relied
upon, the DEMOCRATS ofthe West are entering
a political canvass in opposition to President
FILLMORE on an issue on which they agree
with the Administration, and differ from the
Senatorial caucus and the Baltimore Conven-
ton. There seems TO be very little motive for
any very resoute and determined opposition on
such grounds as these. Odd enough it is, in
deed, that men should combine for the purpose
Of overthrowing an Administration on policy
which they approve and seek to replace it by
an Administration pledged to arrest and rcto
the very measures which they most desire.
| What must be the inevitable result of the
combinations against the Administration, if
they should prove successful? Merely to place
a PRESIDENT in the Executive chair, who, like
Mr.. Polk and Mr.. TYLER, would thwart the
objects long and so deeply desired by the
people of the West. The only effect would
be, as far as River and Harbor Improvements
are concerned, TO postpone them at least for
four years, perhaps for longer period--though
we have no belief that any PRESIDENT could
stand upon one of these vetoes before the peo-
pie for a reelection. Even Baltimore con-