The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-08-13
River and Harbor Improvelne nts.


The Democracy have two faces upon the
question Of harbor and river improvements as
we'll as upon the slavery question; and the
country should mark both.
Northern Democrats in Congress and through
the press endeavor to stave off the effects Of
General PIERcE's votes against coast and in
terna Improvements by affirming that his
views upon the subject have undergone a
change, and that if elected President he will
favor the wants of the West in that regard.
Several Of the speeches and published NANTES
toes of This section Of the party present the
statement, although at variance with every
fact and probability of the case. The Republic
has been especially honored with abuse for ar
gung that General PIERCE, to be consistent,
must veto any bill providing for these improve
ments; and the Western States are still conf
IDENTIFY told that his election will be- followed
by vigorous measures for their advancement.
The passage of the Improvement bill of the
present session, by the House of Representa-
tives, is adduced as proof Of the truthfulness
Of these representations. The Democrats who
employ the argument make no attempt to re-
concie the adoption OF the bill with the adop-
ton Of the Baltimore platform. They speak
for effect in remote localities, and the abandon
ment OF a formally declared principle gives lit
tie trouble to their conscences. This is the
Northern and Western Democratic " face" on
this question. Now for the Southern.
The Richmond (Va.) Examiner, represent
ing the " inflexible" Democracy of the Old
Dominion uses the following language in refer
ence to the bill that has just passed through the
| House:
"This bill is the fret OF the sort that has been
passed for long time. and it ,piu be the last for
| four gears at last. Franklin Pierce will come
| into power on the 9Th of next March. A strict
| construction and respect for the Constitution is
the Mcdcan law Of the Democratic party, and Mr..
Pierce besides that general reason bound by ereyy
ida of consistency. and by ersry fact Of his past
career. 10 rcto suery bill Hke his, He will do it, if
they are prcs,n ted 10 him, jus, surely as there
| is sun in the sky y
The Examiner has too much hatred VI cant
to dress its candidate IN borrowed livery. 1t
appreciates his character exactly, and adopts
our view Of his inevitable course if invested
with power. The reader must not forget that
| we nave DemOcTatlc endorsement lUr the
conviction that General PIERCE sis bound by
every idea of consistency. and by every fact
of his past career, to veto every bill like
| this'
The Savannah Georgian, another Demo
crat, propounds the same opinion, founded, not
only upon General PIERcE's antecedents, but
upon the votes just given by those who are
known most accurately to reflect his views.
The Georgian, after publishing the votes of
the House on the River and Harbor BILL ex-
claims:
Look al that list On one eide. in favor of the
measure, you will see all the northern votes, with
the exception of a few faithful and never. too
| much lobe honored Northern Democrats Among
these ast eye rests with inex pressible pleasure
shrc, md TIE friend of FRANKLIN PIERCE, and
we believe, the Representative of his district. A
little lower down il that of PEAsLEE, another
Granite State Democrat. Withpibbard, Peaslee,
and Jackson stand nearly every Democ ratio mem
Der Of Congress from the South"
Messrs. HIBBARD and PEAsLEE are not
likely at this moment to vote wantonly and
without reason. They have proclaimed them
selves sponsors Of General PiERcE's political
character, and their votes are fair index u
his wishes. What he did ten and twelve years