The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-23
The Pacific Railroad and Its Effect the
Democratic Party

The Pacific Railroad and It's Effect on the
Democratic Party
| 1t win indeed he marvellous if the existing
political parties survive the IeXt session OF
Congress. Disnnion impends gloomi!y over
both the factions into which politicians are di-
vided. The autopsy that is being held on the
mutilated corpse Of whiggery has not disclosed
the prospects Of its friends or the intentions Of
| its successor. A year hence, wbigism may sig
| nifty any thing you please. from belief in Ro-
| chester knockings 10 an aversion TO spirituous
| liquors. Nor are the signs OF the times less
pregnant with menace for the united democracy.
A few weeks ago, disafecticn broke out in the
camp, in consequence of the free soil and seces-
sionist appointments Hunkers and Unionists
stood aghast ct the preferment Of men who had
been open foes to the Constitution and the
Union An outcry arose throughout the lengsani
and breadth Of the land, which appalled, the adj
muistration. It was evident that policy of
general Cancellation would end in alternating
from the President all, or nearly all, the ad-
herents who had elected him.
Mr.. Pierce was not deaf to the hint. A
some time past we hear fewer rumors OF dissen-
sions among the democracy out Of this State
The hunkers are in the ascendant and for the
present Mr.. Pierce seems to have renowned
his design Of distributing the spoils Of war
equally among ali the heterogeneous sections
of his party. How far this tardy recognition
of the rights Of the 'Old Guard will satisfy
the grumblers, we shall not know till Congress
meets Meanwhile, it has silcneed the most
noisy, and supplied much needed testimony
to the loyalty of the cabinet
We apprehend, however, that much more
formidable danger is in store for the democrats.
The Pacific Railroad is rock on which it will
require skilful pilot to prevent their splitting.
At first blush it would seem that one of the
cardinal points of the democratic creed would
oblige all true democrats to set their faces
against this, as well as all other schemes Of in
ternal Improvement. But, on closer view,
the project stands out in so distinct and peculiar
light, and bears so little resemblance to any
other public work, that one can well conceive
how consistent democrat might except it from
the general rule OF his party. 1t would not be
impossible to reconcile vote against canal
or bridge in New York Ohio, or Georgia
with speech for railroad across the CONT
nent The one obviously concerns but one sec
ton of the country; the other would benefit
the whole. Hence it is that opinions have been
loudly expressed by influential members of the
democratic party in favor Of the construction
Of the road through the territories, by the
federal government. This ground has been
taken among others, by the Charleston
.NeJcury erst the organ Of John c. Cal
houn and determined foe to the ex-
pendture Of the public money for internal
improvements in general. Certain publcists
have placed a similar Interpretation on speeches
delivered here on q recent occasion by Aiessrs.
Guthrie and Davis, and have inferred that the
| administration was prepared to recommend
the construction OF the work by the general
government.
On the other hand, we may safely say that
the bulk ofthc democratic party make no dis
tinction between the Pacific Railroad and
other works Of internal improvement, and op-
pose the interference of the administration
in the matter Strict constructionsts-
for instance, as the Virginia democracy-with
finger on the constitution, forbid the President
to notice the enterprise by word, look, or
deed. They place il ont Of the pale OF federal
sympathes. II, say they, the general govern
ment build railroad across the desert Of Cali
fornia, why not another to Nebraska, another
to Oregon, and half score Of Others, which
would unquestionaby confer tangible benefits
on the whole country? Private enterprise is
not SO dead in the United State. that work
Of this nature, which could not but be pro1ta.
lie In the end will fail to find capital for its
construction among private individuals Mil
lions will pour into the treasury OF COM
pany which undertakes il boldly aud on solid
basis.
Such i the ground taken by the adgersaries
Of government road. How they can he
reconciled with those who demand that the
federal government shall forthwith vote
money and commence to clear the track
for the rails We cannot imagine. Nor can we
conceive ofany other termination 10 the contest
than the creation Of new faction, composed OF
the remnants Of the old wing party, with a ros-
pectable accession Of prorailroad democrats
Opposed 10 these would stand the democrats Of
the old school In whose eyes the construction
Of the road through the territories, by the fede
raj government, would appear unconstitutional.
Much, Of course viii depend on tho policy
| pursued by the administration. For Our part
we are not inclined to construe The language OF
Messrs. Davis and Guthrie as broadly AZ many
others. We cannot find II their speeches any,
thing from which dyed resolve to spend somo
two hundred and City millions Of The public
money, on single work Of Ills nature could
think that either of these distinguished men
have allowed themselves to beio'uded into fan
cying tina. railroad which win require At
LA = ~ reore "a bt1la ocrld oyer he IN $50