The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-02-28
Internal Improvem m Q nts.

Those who have paid any attention to the his
tory oil this measure surprised at the attempts
made of late years to treat 1t nti.democratc
On February 4th, 1917, John G. Calhoun made
speech on the xubiect-from it the Republic makes
this extract. We do not profess to be better
democrat than Mr.. Calhoun was at that time We
are ready to stand by his creed Of that date:
Thus situated, to what can we direct our re-
sources and attention more important than Inter-
nal Improvements? What can add more to the
wealth, the strength and the political prosperity of
the country? The manner in which facility and
cheapness Of intercourse adds to the wealth of a
nation has been so often and ably discussed, by
writers on political economy, that | presume the
House to be perfectly acquainted with the subject.
1t Is sufficient to observe that every branch of ma
tional industry, agricultural, manufacturing, and
commercial, is greatly stimulated, and rendered by
it more productive. The result is that it tends IN
diffuse universal opuence 1t gives to the interior
the advantages possessed by the parts most elipi.
bly, situated for trade. 1t makes the country prices
whether in the sale Of products, or in the pur-
chase OF articles for consumption, approximate to
that OF the commercial towns. In fact, if we look
into the nature of wealth we 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
ne truth oil the position IS obvious, and has
been tested by all countries where the experiment
has been made. 1t has particularly been strikngy
exemplihed in England and if the result there, in
country limited and so similar in its products
has been to produce most uncommon degree Of
opulence, what may not expect from the same
cause in our country, abounding as it does in the
| greatest variety Of products and presenting the
greatest facility for improvement? Let it not be
said that internal improvement may be wholly left
to the enterprise of the States and Of individuals
! know that much may be justly expected to be
done by them; but in country so new and so ex-
tensve as ours, there is room enough for all the
| General and State Governments and individuals in
| which to exert their resources. But many of the
improvements contemplated are on too great scale
for the of the States, or 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 superinten-
dence OF this Government to effect and complete
them. Uninfuenced by any other con
siderations than love of country and duty, let us
add this to the many useful measures already adopt
ed. The money cannot be appropriated to more
exalted use. Every portion of the community
| the farmer, the mechanic, the merchant-will feel
its good effects, and, what is of the greatest i'm
| portance, the strength of the community will be
augmented, and its political prosperity rendered
| more secure"