The republic., 1851-04-10

the Constitution requires this and every conside
ration of the public good demands this. II the
Administration cannot stand upon the principles
the message, does not expect to stand at all"
(DAsIEL wxssrER's Letter to the Union Meeting
at Wesfchsster.
River and Harbor Improvenents-the TAR
iM-the Compromise-the Democracy
Our contemporary of the "sole organ Of the
Democracy" at the seat of Government has
been edifying his readers with response to an
inquiry as to "What is the Democratic Party2"
We apprehsnd that the best answer to this
question is similar to that which was once
given to similar inquiry, Orthodoxy is my
doxy--and heterodoxy is another mans doxy."
Democracy is my faith-the faith of those
who differ from me is therefore anti Demo
cratic"
There is only one test of Democracy, and
that is the test of numbers. Any other must
necessarily fail. What the majority of the
people wills is always Democratic. The ex-
preston Of the will Of the people through their
constitutional organs is the chart, compass, po-
lar star of the true Democratic statesman.
When Mr.. RHErr says that the Democratic
party have gone over to Mr.. CLAY, he only
means that the majority of the people acquiesce
in the political views and opinions of that great
popular leader. He only means that Mr.. CLAr's
policy commends itself to the hearts and judg
ments Of that majority in whose hands is the
power of the Government. In opposing Mr.
CLAY's policy, therefore, he is opposing the
will of the majority, aRd opposing the Demo-
cratic sentiment and the real Democratic party
To illustrate this view of the subject it il
only necessary to allude to single question
1t is well understood that the course of Mr..
Polk, in vetoing the Harbor and River bills,
was disapproved by large majority Of the peo-
pie. The Democrats Of the North and West
are in favor, of a liberal system Of internal i'm
provements. This is demonstrated not only by
the general expressions Of the popular will in
popular assemblies, but by the speeches and
votes of their representatives in both branches
of Congress. The Wines of all sections, with
very few exceptions, agree with this portion
of the Democracy in their views on this impor-
tant question. Twice, at least, during Mr..
PoLK's administration, Congress manifested the
popular will in this regard by the passage of
bills which were defeated by the Executive.
In still third instance they demonstrated it
by the adoption Of resolutions expressive of their
political and constitutional views in regard to
it. At the very last session President FILL
MORE recommended the subject to the attention
of Congress, and urged it upon their favorable
consideration. His opinions in this behalf were
the well-ascertained opinions Of the majority,
beyond any doubt or cavil. The House adopted
his recommendations, and sent liberal bill to
the Senate, which had passed the former body
by large majority. What would have been
in that case the Democratic course for the SEN
ate to pursue2 They should have passed the
bill, or have permitted, at all events, vote to be
taken upon it. But what was their policy?
The Democrats" Of the Senate held caucus
for the express purpose Of adopting measures
that would enable them to thwart the will Of
the people, and adopt the Democratic action
to the views Of Mr.. RHErT, Mr.. SouLE, Mr..
JEFFERSON DAVIS, Mr.. HAMLIN, General
HoUsToN, and other democratic" leaders
junto triumphed over the will of the Democracy
from the borders Of the great lakes and along
the line Of the Mississippi. Some Of the mos
prominent of the Democrats from these quarters
trifled with the question-sought to evade anC
get rid Of it-played directly into the hands o
the enemies Of the system, and managed, by q
course Of the most disreputable parliamentary
tricks and maneuvres, to defeat the policy
of the Administration, sustained, as it was
by MIR. CLAY, and the "Democrats" who
were said to have gone over to him. The
distinguished Democrats of Richmond" were
in ecstacies; and the great northern and west
em Democrats" rejoced that they had man
aged to dispose of the question without voting
for or against it, though it was the question o
most vital interest and importance to the sec
lions of country which they represented. Th'
Union claimed its defeat as "DemOcratic'
triumph; and the WING Administration wa
thus baffled and beaten on a measure which
was eagerly demanded by large majority o
the American people.
In our judgment, then, the Administration
clearly stands on Democratic ground on the
Harbor and River policy; and they who oppose
the Administration in this behalf occupy the
anti -Denocratic platform. The people will
soon be called upon to decide who have been
false and who have been faithful on this ques
ton to the creed and standard Of the true De
mocracy; or, in other words, who have beer
false and who faithful to the American people
The Union newspaper and the clique it repre-
sents--Mr. RHETT and the Disuaionists
General Housrox and the men Of constitution.
al scruples, Mr.. HAMLIS and colleague, Mr.