Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1853-10-18

numerous and jealous dissertations from sundry De-
mooratic organs in favor Of the construction OF the
Pacific Railroad, 'as Government measure" They
appear TO be seized with touch OF the loekjaw on
this subject. Of late We somewhat curious to
know the OF it, Have their opinions undergone
a change, or why this sudden silence. They do not
intend 90 abandon this gigantic scheme, we sup
pose after all their advocacy Of it; and they arc
hardly s2ft enough to believe that it be carried
out by individual enterprise, with all the imposing
subscriptions OF the Hon Robert j. Walker and 9TH
crs Have they taken the back-track along with the
Admins ration 1t is high time for them to define
thcirpoSiton this great question 10y either con'nu
ing TO advocate it with their former zeal or by taking
back all the fine things they recently said in its favor
Ii they have only changed front, from the prosccu>
ton OF the work Government measure, to that
of furnishing it aid in the way Of huge grants of
Government land, divine their p 'Sition. But
that leaves equally at loss to know what ground
those occupy who, from the FIRST opposed the scheme
in any form n Government measure, and whose
constitutional Scrupcs have heretofore forbid the bare
idea Of the appropriation of public lands to works Of
Internal Improvement. Since the last shift of the
Administration on this question this plan Of grants Of
Government land has been sanctioned in high quar-
terS and passes current the Avore policy of the
President and Cabinet. Yet, we hear nothing from
the Strict Construcionis;s OF how they like it. Mum
is the word with them They have had the greatest
abundance of time to deliberate upon the matter and
come to some conclusion 1t is time the public should
hear from them They very prompt IN the
expression of their most decided disapprobstion of
the first position the Administration took and why
not be as promt in expressing their approval dis
approval OF the last phase given TO the question:
Much may depend upon it they boast Of having
defeated the ayoritc plans OF members Of the Cab-
net put forth on the Crystal Palace tour Unless
they take position very shortly their silence may
be construed into assent and ii they really do not
intend to give the go-by to their former opinions
along with the resolutions Of rs, difficulty may
be experienced hereafter in cxtricating themselves
! from an awkward dilemma Would it not be hes,
then for these gentlemen of the Strict Construction
School to say at once what they intend to do, and
: save any unpleasant ai;cr-clap that may arise:
| I-gy- rom tn, London Times, we copy an article
in explanation Of the passage Of the Dadanellcs 10y
the French and English steamers The Times, it will
be seen, is careful to state that this measure was
not dictated 10y any change in the i'm Mediate relations
of Russia with the Western Powers The ayowed
purpose then IS strengthen the hands Of the TuT
kish Govoramcut'-to protect the Sultan from the
Indignation OF his people, in case of his refusal
10 20 to wax with Russia, than TO secure the
safety Of English and euch residents in Turkey has
been stated. This was done, told by the Tine
as evidence Of carncneS on the part Of the Western
Powers to promote an carly settlement Of the queS
ton. No doubt it was. 1t was actuaicd by the
same spirit England and France manifested to force
the terms Of the Vienna Note upon the Porte without
regard the dsi,nc, of the honor safety Of Tur
key from Russian INVASION butte get themselves out
OF the difficulty without war. To all practical rur-
poses the English and French Governments have be-
come the allies Of Russia rather than of Turkey.
spite the declaration Of the London Tses editorial
ha, they have already declared in terms sufficiently
plain be uug aa.al, 4; S. Petersburg tina; there
IS a certain degree Of cas.yachmcnt by Russia upon
Turkey which th-y are not prepared to ALLOW, and in
evidence Of their resolutions this point; they have
dispatched their iees TO the Turkish waters" What
ihos, declarations have amounted t., we are at loss
ID conceive. Certainly not to procure an evacuation
u the Pr,uc!gal,..s as first pronounced hy those
Powers to be a s gt5 non for e:fec;i1- any pcarc.-
Die adjustment; They were ready to come 70 terms
witlou; any guarantee from the Car to that effect
aai because Turkey was not willing to buy peace
upon similar degrading terms, the English AMI French
fleets in place Of cXp,ling tie Russian forces from
the Turkish Provinces are march 70 the aid Of an
in0cei,e and c5warI'y sultan TO coyrco his people
into an acceptance Of those terms Of s,,tlcmcnt-
Thai g. ..a..l.a- p.ut-..,yl q, TU-hcy Hssis u
-eauee. But there i, enough Of the former courage
o! the Turks still. -:. 10 prompt effort 20 struggle
against the invasion Of their Mort re in defiance
OF the HlSslan aud the Western Powers together
Inc news by tie Adlutc-the last steamer in-.s
that war has already been declared and ho-tilit.cs
commenced. II this rGinJr be correct, We shall soon
Sc. how far those Powers which were so swift To
maintain the rights Of Turkey while there ,ya, hone
I, iu;.nila.c the Chr ,i.l, l,ui threats viii main
tain their ORIGINAL ,,,.i.f,r ,rI,,,. ,,, r,