Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-09-09
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are popular, ]. is Democratic to be in their fn-
vor in the South, where they are unpopular,
Il is Democratic TO oppose them; though some-
times Democrat can be found in The North,
with candor enough 10 unrnask his party. Col.
MeCleiIaHa,.H Democrat, rseenlly declared in 2
speech IL Shawneetown, that thc scheme FOR inn
proving Western rivers and harbors are wild
and visionary" and that Frank Pierce would
veto any such bills" Western Democrats, do
you hear that? Do you not perceive that if
you elect this man President you VIII catch. a
tarter9 Are YOU reckless enough Of Western
Interests 10 Vote for linn
1 The West has been anxiously working for,
looking for, and hoping for, the passage of the
River and Harbor Bill. There were important
interests concerned iljerc was the protection
Of human life and the facilitating Of commerce
and consequently general prosperity through
out the West, to be influenced in an eminent
degree, by the success or failure of their efforts
in this respect Well, at last it passes now
let us glance at this V ote on The River and Hsr-
Dor Bill, and see who were its friends. On the
passage Of the bill in the House, the vote stood
lo3 ayes, 10 nays. The Wing vote was 70 ayes
and nays the Democratic vote 70 nays 3a
ayes. In the Senate, on the Oath inst, the q.
mendments made in committee of the Whole
were concurred in. These amendments appro.
pirate 800 900 for the Mississippi; $4,000
for the Ohio and $4,000 each, for the Arkan.
sas and Missouri rivers and $4,000 for the
purchase of smg-boats, dredging machines, Sc.
for those rivers. They also make an appropri-
alton FOR a survey of the Falls Of the Ohio, fur
| ther amended by the Senate SO as to provide for
an estimate for enlarging the Louisville Canal !
another appropriation was for break-water at
Waukegan. In the Senate, the vote on the
bill as amended, was 80 ayes, % nays; all but 2
Of the negative votes being Democratic, and the
Wing affirmative vote carrying the measure
How many more such votes will be required tc
convince Western Democrats that their party is
inimical TO Western interests, and that their
true and practical friends are the Wings?
On the 23d of January, 1852, Gen. Pierce
made speech at Bradford, N. H., in which he
denounced the improvement of rivers and har-
bors by the General government, as being Fed
eral policy; and charged that Messrs. Hale and
Tuck were justly chargeable with Federal SYM
pathies, for supporting these Federal" abom-
inable anti-Democratc acts in Congress. You,
Democrats, who live on the borders Of our
Western rivers, behold The champion cf your
interests Your candidate for the Presidency,
if elected, will, if in his power, cripple your
commerce directly, and through that indirectly,
but very injuriously affect agriculture and every
branch Of industry and trade. If you vote for
him, and he should be elected, you must take
your share of the responsibility for the result.
Pierce pointedly affirmed in the speech alluded
TO above, that no person elected TO Congress as
q Democrat from New Hampshire, had ever sup
ported any measure for those purposes. In that
speech he appeared to attach great importance
to the subject of Internal Improvements by the
General Government, and his remarks through.
out were characterized by undying hostility tc
them. The West has grown strong enough tc
rebuke this marked contempt for her welfare
we hope she will do so.