Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-02-18


bic the merchants of the former place to havs the
wheat there converted into flour. Here we per-.
ceiye how quickly the aquatic advantages Of
Fredericksburg converted into dollars and
cuts to iuure TO the benefit OF both town and
country. Now the question is whether the peo-
pie trading over the Manassn road are for the
want OF this Improvement to be compelled to take
diminished prices from the merchants of Alexan-
dria! On the other hand is it not the absolute
and positive duty of the Legislature to provide
this competing market for the great extent of
country Interested in the Manassa road! We
mean here, that railroad after it has pierced the
Valley aud thrown its length across the entire
State. Indeed with the greatest advantages for
flour mills and wooden and cotton factories, we
perceive not why Fredericksburg may not be-
come, with a rateable share of public protection
a highly important agent in the productions of
the country. We say wooden and cotton facto-
ries, for why should not this come about when we
behold the rapid and yet permanent growth of
Lowell!
There is not a railroad improvement in the
State that better deserves the aid of the Legis-
lature than the one to link the Fredericksburg
with the Manassa road.
EF Senator Douglas goes for the abolition of
the Clayton and Bulwer Treaty, because, as he
says it violates the Monroe doctrine. The same
gentleman tells us that the Oregon Treaty also
violates TINT doctrine. Why then does he not
recommend the reputation of the Oregon treaty
and raise again the old war-cry of "Fifty-four
t.
on the ground that they may be construed to ac-
quiesce in the past violations of his favorite
principle of foreign policy. But with what
grace or propriety does such an objection come
| from man who, for seven or eight years, has
silently acquiesced, and who proposes still farther
to acquiesce in what he believes to have been
| gross abandonment of the Monroe declaration
The Oregon treaty was sanctioned and APP
proved by Democratic Senate, and signed by
Democratic President. The Central American
treaty also passed the ordeal of Democratic
| Senate. If, therefore, as Mr., Douglas asserts
the Monroe doctrine was sacrificed in these in
ternational agreements, the Democratic party of
the country must bear their full share of the
| blame. They are the last men in the world to
arrogate to themselves as they now do the excu-
sive guardianship of this great principle.
This allusion to the Oregon affair is new and
| hard hit at the Polk administration. 1t was
bad enough to proclaim, that administration did,
that our title to the whole of Oregon was '.clear
and unquestionable," and afterwards to take one
half as our share; but it appears according to Mr..
Douglas, that the mischief did not stop here
Not only did we lose large territory to which
we were clearly entitled, but the Monroe doc
trine was also sacrificed in the bargain. The ar
gument of the Illinois Senator on this point forms
beautiful commentary on the laudations that
Z have been bestowed on the Polk administration
for its fearless reassertion of Mr.. Monroes decla-
ration against European colonization in Ameri-