Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1852-06-24
For the Glasgow Times.
PRETENsIONS.


Mr.. EDtroR:-In our last, we endeavored TO
show some of the inconsistencies of the jefferson
City paform--by pointing out the contradictory
statements Of that instrument and we find from
careful analysis of the "dose" that there is but one
resolution in it, (the 4th,) which has not another
incompatible Ingredient The first and third are
contradictory-the second and fifth and the doc
trines contained in the fourth, we think we have
clearly shown, are of no avail, being of such ma
tre, that there is no possible way of arriving at
the benefits they were intended to embrace.
We will now pass on to a consideration of the
many Ingredients contained in the latudinous res
olotion (the 1st,) "reafirming" the principles of
the Baltimore edition of Democratic principles, as
revised and corrected by ''ther distinguished au-
thors" in 1918, and see how far Democratic pre-
tensions and Democratic principles agree, and how
far Democratic practice comedies with the de-
mands of public justice. 1t is certain fact that
the Democratic orators of the present progressive
age are in the constant habit Of proclaming that
party, as the especial guardian and advocate of the
best interest of that all powerful sect y'clept the
"dear people"
This assertion has been 'preached from the
house tops" until the ''very echo has grown hoarse
with the repetition" of it, by those political DEM
agogues who would willingly trample the ''dear
people" in the dust for the sake of stall at the
public crsb; and we now propose to put this prn-
ciple TO the test of scrutiny and see whether or
not they have not ''placed the saddle upon the
wrong horse" One of the resolutions Of the Bal
tmore platform denies the constitutional power of
Congress TO encourage by ''naterial ado or to set
up "system Of internal Improvements in the
states'' and we would beg leave 10 apply the rigid
test of human reason to this most odious construc-
tion of the constitution and see how far the doc
trine will agree with the public veal of this State.
1t is q conceded question that the roads and water
courses of Missouri will compare fayorably with
any in the world in point of mud and other obstruc-
tons, to free and safe transportation. 1t is well
known TO all that at that season of the year, when
the bountifu yield of the soil is ready for delivery
the outlets for it closed up either by the mpas
sibe state of the roads to the river, or from the
condition of the river ITSELF and being comparatively
new state, it not be supposed that at the pres
ent very low price of produce and lands-caused
by the impedment offered to the outlets Of the
rich harvess--that her Golfers can overflow and her
treasury groan under the weight of unappropriated
millions for many years TO come; connected with
this fact we must take into consideration that a
large amount of the land lying within her borders
is government land and not taxed. How then, la
bouring under these disadvantages, her cultivated
lands rendered almost worthless for want of good
market for their products, the heavy tolls caused
by the unsafe transportation upon the river, always
more than double that of any other water course in
the union-and the resources of her treasury stled
by the existence Of unaXed government land within
her borders. Will she be enabled to make any ap-
preparations for improving her highway and re-
moving obstructione from her water courses-af-
ter first defrayng the ordinary and rapidly increas-
ing expenses of the State?
We have said that large amount of the land in
your State belongs to the general government and
not taxable, yet il lies here and is of no benefit TO
the general governmeut-whlst it operates detri-
mentally to the interest and prosperity of the state.
Now we ask any candid mind TO say whether a
grant of said lands TO the state could be looked
upon as unconstitutional? The Congress can and
does do whatever it pleases with the public land
1t can give it away or sell il, just as it pleases.
Would such act then be unconstitutional in that
body-havng full power by the constitution ''to
provide for the welfare of the people" when the
''wefare of the people" of this state is seriously
affected by the existence of the government prop
erty within her borders? Is the State TO be kept
down--rodden under foot and crippled in her re-
sources by the government, and not be entitled by
~ tba NDh ri
binds her arms, and holds her fast as a member oi
the confederacy-to any remuneration for the dam
ages?
Does the constitution which gives to Congress
the power ''to regulate Commerce." ''to establish
post roads" and to provide for the general welfare
of the people stand in the way of such an act o
sheer justice? Our Democratic friends Of thu
''would be strict construction school" will tell II;
that there is no 'eXpress power" given in the con-
stitution for such course. We admit it, but we
claim for it the power implied, arising Gas man!
others do which are daily eXeTcsed) from the ne
cessity of the case, and would ask in return: wher
in the constitution can be found the "eXpres
power'' 10 erect lighthouses on the coast? Wher
do they find the "express power" to "conclud
pGace?" No where in the constitution! They ar
'imped powers" exercised by Congress 'arislns
from the necessity Of the case" in carrying ou
powers clearly "expressed-" But who has eve
been found out side the walls of ''mad-house" tc
raise any constitutional objection to the establish
ment of lighthouse or the conclusion OF peace
But to cone home to the acts OF their party
when we ask again, did Congress in the days O
Mr. jefferson, the boastCd father cf the democratic
party, find any other than alt implied power t.
grant 10 Ohio in 1903, three per cent upon all pub
lie lands sold in the state for the purpose Of con
stiucting roads in the North Western territory, an
wkeh in 1890 Was raised TO fire per centto csntinu
the Cumberland Road? Where was this impas
sable constitutional barrier, when Congress unde
different Presidents, aided in the construction o
the Carondelet canal the rail road from Athens il
Georgia to New Orleans, the Chesapeak and Ohit
canal and various other internal improvements
and wherein the days of Gen. jackson was obtain
ed the constitutional power upon the subject
Il a.. / 4