Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-03-05
A CAIICIIS


1t is rumored that caucus of the Democratic
members of the Senate was held yesterday NOR
ning Dr. Sturgeon, of Pennsylvania, in the chair,
to take into consideration the distressed state of
the Democratic party in relation to the Harbor
and River bill. The conjecture is that the for
NAL warning given by Mr. Rhett the other dav in
the Senate, that he had despaired of ever bring
ing the Democratic party back to Democratic
principles, and that they had all, or most of them,
gone over to Mr. CLAY, has alarmed the Pres-
dental asprants Gf any, among the Democracy;
and that they are anxious to see if they cannot
get on some ground with regard to this subject
that is not exactly Wing ground, and yet that is
so much like it that it wi give the country the
benefit of Wing principles, and relieve the Demo-
cratic party from the odium disappearing Them
The grounds of the President and Wing party
{as body on this subject are thus defined in the
annual message Of Mr.. Fillmore;
81 entertain doubt of the authority of Congress
to make appropriations for leading objects in that class
OF public works comprising what are usually called
works OF internal Improvement r
In fulhlng our constitutional duties fellow citizens
on this subject as in carrying into effect all other pow
ers conferred by the Constitution, should consider
ourselves as celebrating and acting for one and the,
same country, and bear constantly in mind that our re-
gard and our duty are due not TO particular part only
but to the whole.
| therefore recommend that appropriations be made
tor completing such works as have been already begun
and Tor commencing such Others may seem to the
wisdom of Congress to be of public and general mpor-
tance"
1t is rumored--and rumored among persons
who ought to be we'll inormed-that it was So
lemnly settedi in democratic" caucus Yesterday
to kill the River and Harbour bill not by amend
ments of addition, the amount appropriated is
to be denounced as extravagant and enormous,
but by amendments ofsubtraction. Iti to be as
sailed In several points, and committee of three
to determine ION the mode and measure" OF as
saul are to be reported by the chair to an ad-
Journed meeting of the caucus to be held this
morning. 1t is understood that Gen Cass has
declined TO serve upon this committee 1t is also
rumored that the General made a speech in the
caucu in which he commended the views of
Gen. Jackson and Mr.. Calhoun on this subject
Which set Of Mr.. Calhoun's views Gen. Cass
commended, we did not understand. We believe
his communication was general This was per-
fectly safe 1t would enable the Senator to suit
his opinions on the subject to any meridian. i'll
there should be too much "noise and confusion |
in the caucus this morning we wish the Sc
nator wolud inform that body whether he agrees
to his sentiments as they were expressed in a
speech which Mr.. Calhoun delivered in the
House of Representatives of the United States,
on the 4th of February, 1877, on "b to set
apart ard pledge, as a permanent fund for
internal improvement, the bonus of the National
Bank, and the United States share of its siyi-
dends''
After abiding to the peaceful condition and the
augmenting resources of the countrv Mr. Cal |
houn continues:
"Thus situated, to what direct our resources
and attention more important than INTERNAL IMPROVE
MENTs! What can add more to the wealth. the strength
and the political prosperity OF the country? The man
ner in which facility and cheapness of intercourse adds
To ha ot has heen offa ~
discussed by writers on political economy that presume
the House to be perfectly acquainted with the subject
sufficient to observe that eoery branch Of national
industry, agricultural, manufacturing and CONNER
cial is greatly stimulated, and rendered 6y it more
productive The result is that it tends to diffuse uni
versa opuence. 1t gives to the interior the advantages
possessed by the parts most egbly situated for trade
makes the country prices whether in the sale of raw
products or IN the purchase of articles for consumption
approximate to that of the commercial towns Ia fact
ii we look into the nature Of wealth. will find that
nothing can be more favorable to its growth than good
roads and canals. An article to command price must
not only be useful but must be the subject of demand
and the better the means OF commercial intercourse the
larger is the sphere OF demand The truth of the posi-
ton is obvious, and has been tested by all countries
where the experiment has been made 1t has particu-
lary been striking y exempifed in England and if the
result there in country limited and smil ar in it
products has been to produce most uncommon degree
OF Oputence, what may we not expect from the same
in country Astounding it does in the great
est variety OF products and presenting the greatest acl
Improvement may be Dh0ly left to The enterprise of
the State and Of Individuals. / know that much NAV
be justly expected to be done by them; but in a country
and so extensive ours, there is room enough
for all the General and State governments and indvid
uals in which to exert their resources. But much ofthe
Improvements contemplated are on too great a scale
Tor the resources OF the States, OF individuals and
many OF such nature that the rival jealousy of the
States if left alone, might prevent. They require The
resources and the general superintendent of this Gov
eminent to effect and complete them. Unn.
huenced by any other considerations than love of coun-
try and duty let US add this to the many useful meas
ures already adopted. The money cannot &c oppro.
priated 10 more erdlted use Every portion of the
COMMUNICATIVE farmer, the mechanic, and merchant
will feel its good effects, and, what is OF the greatest i'm
porance, the strength OF the community will be aug
mented, and its political prosperity rendered more
cure"
The object contemplated as we understand, is
to amend the Harbor and River bill IN the Senate
return it to the House, and trust to the ''nose and
confusion" Of the closing scenes of the session
to sheve it, or make some side-wind disposition
of it, by which it will fail to become law.
We trust that this catastrophe may be averted.
If the Democracy are to be sold 10 the Abolition
lists of the Old Dominion and South Carolina-f
the interests of the West and North are to be
sacrificed to appease Mr.. Rhett and his allies
let the sacrifice be made by day light, that the
country may know whom they are to hold respon-
sibe for it.--Repub(jc.
From the South-Sde Democrat of Tuesday.