Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-06-20
The thorn in the Side Of DemOc-
rslGV.

The thorn in the Side OF DemOc-
racy.
If we can Judge from the tone of our
Western journals, both Wing and Dem
ocraiic, the siews of the metropolitan
Democratic organ on the subject of Riv-
er and Harbor Improvements do not com
mend themselves particularly TO the
Western people. They are not satisfied
that the bill of the last session was ex-
iravagant, because appropriated two
millions of dollars and upwards; for
they have had no appropriations for up
wards of six years-and two millions d.
vided by six shows very inconsidera-
BILE 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
appropriation, il was so much larger than
nothing that lis intended beneliciaries
would have been very glad to receive it.
Nor do the Democrats think that there is
much force in the idea that the Demo
cratic opposition to The bill was necessa-
ry ito deepen the party lines Ito show
that the Democratic party had NOT gone
over TO Mr.. CLAY, or to please Mr..
RRETr aud the Abstractionists. They
think that the more the party lines arc
deepened In this behalf, the worse il will
be for the Democrats. They think that
would be well if the Democrats could on
iy prove that they had gone over TO Mr..
CLAWS doctrines on this subject. And
ac for Mr.. RHETT and the Abstraction.
lists, they think the more the Democrats
try TO conciliate them, and adopt their
views, the worse it will be for them.
Such is now the condition Of the De-
mocracy OF the West and Northwest, that
The only important issue formally pre-
sented by the Democratic Senatorial
caucus of the last session, is said by Mr..
JOHNSON, oil Arkansas, to be a .'ihorn in
their side" We observe that the "or-
thodox republicanism" of Mr.. JOHNSON
is vouched for both by the Union and
the Southern Press; and we presume,
therefore, that both these journals will
receive him as good Democratic wit
ness TO the point for which we call him.
If Mr.. JOHNSON, then, is TO be relied up
on, the Democrats of the West are en-
,ering political canvass in opposition to
| President FILLMORE on an issue on
which they agree with the .idministra-
ton, and differ from the Senatorial eau
Gus and the Baltimore Convention
There seems TO be very little motive for
any very resolu,e and determined oppo-
si.ion on such grounds as these. Odd
enough il is, indeed, that men should
combine for the purpose of overthrowing
an Administration on a policy which
they approve; and seek to replace it by
an Administration pledged to arrest and
Uefo the very measures which they most
! desire.
What must be the inevitable result of
the combinations against the Admins
tration, if they should prove successful!
Merely TO placea PRESIDENT in the Ex-
ecuti,e chair, who, like Mr.. Polk and
Mr.. TYLER, would thwart The objects so
long & 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 peri
od-though we have no belief that any
PRESIDENT could stand upon one of
these vetoes before the people for a re-
election. Even Baltimore convention,
pledged to the most strict hostility 10
River and Harbor improvements, would
! not venture to put such candidate in
nomination.
II is clear enough, then, that the Dem
ocrats of The West have not only nothing
to 60 upon in their opposition to the
PRESIDENT, but they have 10 oppose
their own favorite policy 10 assailing his
Administration. On one banner they
inscribe "River and Harbor Improve
menis," and on another. "Down with
the Administration and The Wings" If
they ventared openly to proclaim their
hostility TO the improvement system,
they would be overwhelmed by gener-
al uprising of the people. But what
sincerity can the people repose in their
professions Of attachment 20 that policy,
when they are pursuing course the
tendency and aim of which are to over
throw PRESIDENT friendly to the sys-
TEN, and TO elect PRESIDENT who will
sustain the decisions of the Senatorial
caucus, and carry out the doctrines of
the Baltimore convention?-Washing-
ton Republic. 4,