The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-02
NEWS By THE MAILS.



WASHINGTON, Feb. n, 1881.
Rip1 and Harbor Biu-Dsmoyatic Ss~atovsa
Case~s-A Yery Nice Ovation for the Pressde~
ey-Ss~gutar Result of the Conciape.
A democratic caucus of the Senate was convened
in the Capitol this mornlnR, upon the River and
Harbor bill, the important question to determine
being nothing more nor less than this: Is the
principle of appropriations TO rivers and hsrborS Z
democratic principle, or not 0! IL part OF the
d. mocranc platform or will it do to stand on fox
the Presidency or will it be satisfactory TO the
ultras Of the South or. what are we to do
DR.. Sturgeon, Of Pennsy lvania, was called TO the
chair He goes for protection, and for rivers and
harbors but above all things in heaven and eartAs
he goes for the democratic platform. He is not
man to make any display Of his democracy; but
let Baltimore lay down the creed, and that is the
Bible of the Doctor. The fathers OF the demo-
cratic church are his apostles; and Berks county
itself is not more steadfast exposition Of demo-
cTacy than DR.. Sturgeon. Therefore was ne called
TO the chair. Besides, il was something of COM
pliment 10 Pennsylvania.
Mr. Jefferson Davis, in behalf OF the ultras of the
South, constituting the majority OF the party In
many of the Southern States, tat-footedly demand
ed that opposition constitutional grounds, to in
terRal improvements by the federal government, be-
made q democratic principle; and that the demo-
Gratis who wished TO unite the party, could do
better than 10 begin the good work by voting down
the River and Harbor bill IN the House
MIR. Rantoul, while his observations had been
confined TO Massachusetts, had entertained tho
idea that appropriations to rivers aud harbors were
all for Buncombe; but recently ne had travelled on
the Western lakes and rivers, and had learned
something of storms on those . inland seas
which empty themselves, like IN ocean, into tho
st. Lawrence, and of snags, eawyers, and sand
bars in the Misslssippi and his mighty tributaries,
and he was decidedly of the opinion that rivers and
harbors were first rate PRACTICAL doctrines, espe-
cially all over the Western country.
General Shields put IN a strong speech III support
OF the c0nstltutlondlty OF ryef and baroor appfo-
prations. rdculing the idea that. TO remove suag
or sand bar by paying for II out OF the federal tea-
sury is TO violate the constitution OF the United
States.
General Cass-who, it is 10 be supposed, wisheC
to concate the Southern uitras, IN view Ut the
chances for lS52-was IN such position, anna the
"nose and confusion, that circumstances
placed il out of his power tn understand all this
business lie was 10 favor ot rivers and harbors>
in a national point of view; but really h thought
was crowdng hard upon the mourners
Judge Douglas who ~ also looking up 20 the
White House, via the Baltimore Convention, wag
OF the opinion that there great deal too much
hair. splitting among Southern freads; but
he was wiling 10 do anything reasonable 10 please
them.
And what was The upshot of the whole matter?
Why, bless you, IA compromise, II Was agreed
TO appoint committee OF three To NIX W such
amendme nts 10 the bill az would send IL DIcx To
the House, the very best way OF laying II OUT
among the dead subjects, 10 save General
Cass, JUDGE Douglas. and others, from the direct
responsibility OF defeating the nj, aud so "a, BY
its defeat 10 make II win the southern uitfas.
We expect blowout upon this Business IN the