Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1852-09-14
Consistency.


Consistency.
There is no one particular, in which the Demo-
cratic party in Congress have rendered themselves
more obnoxious to public observation than in the
dupiicity which has characterized its action upon
the subject OF River and Harbor improvement
While cardinal article of their late "confession
Of faith" wholly repudiates this improvement pol
ICY, while, at the South the press and the polti-
clans are exulting over the cessation of improve
nleut, which must ensue upon Gen. Pierce's cleo
ton, we have before us the remarkable fact that
Democratic Congress has actually passed River
and Harbor bill, which appropIiates thousands OF
dollars to the commendable object of improving
lie rivers and rendering more commodious the har-
bors of the country. While we approve heartily
OF the policy which this Congress has acted upon,
and while we would gladly see it pursued in flu
ure; yet we are at loss to perceive how it is that
Democratic leaders can unblushingly prostitute
themselves, by acting directly in opposition to their
profession of faith. Had the Democratic party
Kept silent upon this question, had they been con-
tent to act right, without speaking wrong, we would
not complain. But when we see men Tor party
PURPOSES, make profession which they know TO be
false, which they intend to violate when opPortu-
nifty offers and which they do violate in less than
two months from its date, we cannot but be more
than ever convinced of the hollowness of that
party, and the nothingness of their platform. We
are well aware of the purposes for which this ar
tcle OF opposition to River and Harbor Improve
u,ent was inserted rather acquiesced IN, by the
Western members of the Baltimore Convention
II was done for the purpose and with the certainty
of securing the contracted minds of the South,
who are "ex amino opposed to everything like ad-
yancement and improvement. These votes they
will secure by their resolutions, for Gen. Pierce
But is the Great West to be trapped thus! Do the
citizens of Ohio ofIndiana, Illinois, and the States
lying on the Mississippi and its tributaries intend
70 sw allow the deluson; that because the Demo-
cratic members from the Western States are in ia
vor Of improvement and can, by the aid of the
Wings, carry through such measure, that there
fore the Democratic nominee will be sound on that
question, and sanction their INTEREST," Trust him
not Gen. Pierce will be true to Southern De-
mocracy on This, if on no other question. The
narrowness Of his past political history guarantees
narrowness in future this question, especially
as his own Granite State is not likely to be bene-
fitted by Government fayors. He is pledged to
this course unless he violates his letter OF accep
lance, and his sworn creed. Mr.. Venaole' Oh
North Carolina, the narrowest of Southern Demo-
Gratis, and the Richmond Examiner both attest his
hostility to w estern Improvements, and pledge HIM
10 veto such bills in case he is elected and If he Is
true to the men, to whom he owes his nomination.
and above all il he is true to the petty and mar
row views which have ever actuated his political
career he will not dsappoint their expectations or
violate their pledge. The men of the West, Wings
and Democrats, must look to themselves in this
matter of all others the most essential to our COM
mon interest. Dupe yourselvesif you will, but up
ON YOUR own heads rest the blame. The princi-
pies of the two candidates are plainly before you,
and it is for you to say whether You will support
him, who is known to be with you, and who stands
pledged to your true policy, OF whether you will,
for the sake of mere name, sacrifice your OVID in
,erests, and vote for him, who stands pledged
against you, both by profession and practice. So
far as the West is concerned, the River and HaTbor
question is the issue of the present contest Upon
II hang in great measure, the prosperity aud adj
vancement Of all our interests. BY it we must
stand, or with it We must fall. There is no mid
die ground fer Gen. Pierce. He must veto your in
trrests or prustiute alike himself and his party
Look well before you act, upon this momentous
proposition. A wrong vote now, may paradise your
advancement for four years at least, and entangle
YOU in the r,eshes of an interminable labaryntb,
from which your most violent efforts may fail to
c1tricate you. i,.i-f .r IJ,r-lr f...,.r. r5g %.