The republic., 1851-04-11

to the benefit of the Democratic party. We
are perfectly willing that they should be deep
ened and widened, till they make an impossible
gulf between the friends and the opponents of
the policy of the Administration. We believe
that an acquiescence in the will of the majority,
as expressed by its constitutional organs, is the
vital principle of republic. We believe that
there is abundant proof to demonstrate that the
views of the Presidents message on the
policy of River and Harbor Improvements
are sanctioned by large majority of the Ame-
rican people; and we cannot imagine that any
.'bravery and devotion" on the part of De-
mocratic members, OF any other members of
Congress, should long successfully defy and
battle the popular will. 1t is much more reason
able to suppose that the masses Of the North
and West will abandon all association with the
RHETTs, MAsoNs, DAvIsEs, and HoUsToNs
than that they should continue the connexion
to their own great injury and wrong. We
hope, therefore, that the policy of deepening
the old party lines" on this important question
will be persevered in sat all hazards" till we
see where it will lead its Democratic opponents
and its Democratic friends.
But there is another point in the paragraphs
from the Rerietc to which we would ask mo-
ment's attention. A firm adherence to the
"voluntary principle in all matters of internal
improvement, popular industry, and CONNER
cial enterprise" is set forth as the foundation
of the Democratic party. This is phrase OF
fashionable political jargon. What does il
mean2 If at all significant, it means that Go
vernment should have nothing to do with in
ternal Improvements, and leave the harbors and
rivers of the country TO take care Of themselves.
1t means that the policy Of protecting or aiding
American industry should be abandoned, and
the wages of American labor brought down to
the pauper standard Of Europe by the abolition
of the custom houses and the establishment Of
free trade. 1t means that all Legislative regu-
lations of commerce, under the Constitution,
eign and domestic. left to regulate and sustain
itself. The "firm adherence to the voluntary
principle" as a Democratic foundation, means
all this or it means nothing. 1t is difficult to
imagine what beneficial purpose is to be an
swered by the Federal Government, if all these
matters are to be left to the operation Of the
voluntary principle" Throwing out COM
merce, industry, and internal improvement, and
we should suppose that few constables, to keep
the peace, might be substituted for all the ma
chinery of Government. But if it is well
to leave such important subjects to the g volun-
tary principle it would be equally well to
submit all other subjects to the same principle.
How would the " voluntary principle" operate
in the carriage of the mails to every remote
point Of the country, or in carrying out the con-
stitutional provisions in regard to fugitives from
labOr2
If the views of Mr.. RHETT and his allies are
correct, however, and law cannot be executed
to which any small portion of the community
is opposed, we can well understand the ground
on which all subjects that have hitherto been
considered proper for governmental control
should be left to the sc voluntary principle"
But if our Government is not of necessity an
anarchy, as MIR. RHErT imagines, we do not
apprehend that any large majority of the Ame-
rican people are prepared to make it one by the
general adoption of the I" voluntary principle"
doctrine.