The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-07-13

IT, Our neighbor of the Tribune objects to
US that, though our position on county subscrip.
lions was clearly defined, we did not "gve any
reasons for our conclusion" We have before
this time, when the question was before the PEG.
pie of this county, pretty fully stated our rea-
sons against the legality and policy of county
subscriptions Of the character in controversy
and we deemed it entirely out Of place-in
simply defining what our position had been on
question decided, so far as Ne are immediate y
concerned, and what it still was and would be
on similar questions, when our duties as jour
nalist made it necessary and proper for US to
speak QUITO elaborate the various arguments
which, to our mind, fully sustain the stand we
have taken. Suffice it to say, now, that we are
not without good reasons for the faith we up
hold. And, although we deem it unnecessary
to multiply arguments, from day to day, against
a measure which 10 not now Immediately before
Us, yet, when the proper time comes, we shall
not be found waning in zeal and promptness to
advance and unfurl our banner and do our hardI-
est to uphold ii. For the present, we desire, SO
far as we can, to aid in bringing about happy
issue to the recent action of the peoole Of Du-
buque county, relative to the Pacific Railroad.
The Tribune thinks that the "Supreme court
will not dare, at this day, to endangef its repu
tation by deciding the question in opposition to
the necessities Of the age and the expressed will
of the people in their repeated votes on this sub
ject" Now, we take it that the Supreme court
has nothing to do with, and in no wise should
be Influenced by, ssthe necessities Of The age"
nor the action "of the people on tins subject"
They have to do solely with the constitution,
and with nothing beyond, nor behind, nor OUT
side Of that instrument In deciding upon the
constitutionality Of county subscriptions, the
courts only and legitimate guide-whateveT
may be its opinioa Of the tendency and policy of
for our part we should like to see-or rather, we
would not like to see-the supreme court that
would STARE to put a false construction upon
the constitution, and violate the oaths of is
any outside influence whatsoever. If the mania
for railroad projects has grown so potent as to
destroy our respect for the constitution and the
laws, it ia indeed time to pause--to pause long
and weigh well the consequences, before we
yield ourselves to the impetuous torrent which
threatens 10 sweep away all the muniments of
societies aud oftheir members. The doctrine of
the Tribune-if this be its doctrine, would lead,
if put in practice, to the most unfortunate re-
sults--to anarchy, in fact. For, if in the build
ing up Of these gigantic monopolies, the con-
stitution is to be disregarded, set at naught-
clearly, the voting Of a county subscription can
have no valid effect upon those citizens of the
county who are opposed to such measures: for,
the sole power-the constitution-from which
may be derived the right to make them contri-
butte to these projects, or in any other way to af
feet their absolute individual privileges, is de-
stroyed. But, we are quite confident that the
action of the Supreme Court will be wholly I'M
influenced by any foreign matters whatever;
and, however the decision of that court may be,
conscientious convictions Of the meaning of the
Constitution.
Our neighbor exultingly asks, j" if it is con
stitutional for the nation Ito construct Paci-
fc Railroad) s'why not for the county," The
Tribune will readily see that there is no analo-
gy between the cases it has put. The consti-
tuition, which governs the action of Congress,
and the municipal regulations, which guide the
action of counties, are two different things
1t is constitutional for the State of Illinois to
enact general banking law; not SO with the
State of Iowa. No argument can be derived in
favor of one municipality adopting certain
measures, because another municipality has
which control them respectively, are similar.
The Tribune claims shat the doctrine of the
right Of counties or governments to take stock
in works of great public necessity or utility, is
I" good old ,ohig doctrine" and, whenever such
proposition has prevailed, it 's the triumph
Of an acknowledged WING measure
81 thank thee, Jew, for teaching me that word"
1t is, indeed, the worst feature of whig-
ism, galvanized into vitality-"the good old
mhig doctrine" that public debt is public
bessing-thati it is wise and just to foster mo-
nopolies, to concentrate power and capital in
the hands of few. On this point onr neigh
Dor is right, and we have done for the present.