Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1853-08-06
Another Screw 10 ose .

The Charleston Mercury has broken ground in ia
of the Pacific Railroad. Here is another schism
Of fearful portentl The great Democracy isnot only
divided, but the different fragments of the family
at discord. Verify, we shall soon need some keen
sighted philosopher to explore the land to ascertain
whether or not there is Democratic party.
The Mercury takes the position, that the work is
necessary for the common defence-and it is only
proposed to construct through territories the
sttutonal right is clear The weather is too warm
just at this time, if we had the disposition to
discuss these questions We prefer to leave them in
the hands of the Democracy. There is thing
however will say that with regard to erpediency
should greatly prefer the construction of roads
nithin than ,oitom the States. Weof the old States
might then reap some benefit from them. But it
is proposed the Did States have to endure the burdens
without reapng any of the profit In fact these Gov
eminent aids to the West operate in a two-fold man
ner to our detrimcnt They partial in their char
acter. and on that account wrong us. They also
offer bouay, it were, to population to desert
us. If we live under Government Of equal laws
and one of indefinite powers, we claim a right to n
share of the good things it dispcnses.
We very much inclined to the opinion, that the
time has passed when the limitations supposed to ex-
list in the constitution will any more he respected
The popular majority will interpret the constitution
TO suit itself every four years This is the legitimate
result of the usurpation of the war.power 10y Mr..
Polk and the subsequent. annexation of vast regions
to the Union. California, lying upon the Pacific is an
integral portion of the Unon-it must he protected.
To do that it is said, military road must be CON
tr Icted by the Government across the Continent
involving the expenditure of indefinite millions and
augmentng the patronage Of the Executive to a de
gee to change the entire character Of our poltic;l
system What with some 10000 officers rs Superin-
tcndentS and some or 100000 workmen in the Inn
mediate pay of the Executive for indefinite time
he would be converted into an autocrat at once.
with very respectable standing army.
1t is Democrats and Strict Constructionists par
ereelLenoe, who have reduced us to this Elk" We
Shall wait to the by which they propose to
extricale us.
We copy from the Mercury
The PAcrFIc RArLEoAp-The recent speech Of the Sc.
ceiay ofWar has become the theme Of general discussion
and in few has drawn forth strong condemua
tion from SateRghts papers and correspondents If
the endorsement, by Democratic Administration,
Of the condemn Wing doctrine of internal improvements
10y the General Government; while the Wing press
Tally DESTROYS Of making the Of it, rejoice the
conversion Of the Democrats their policy. Both sides
clearly in the wrong. The Secretary of War proposes
neither system, instance OF internal Improvement
ia any in which that phrase has been used
lie proposes Government work, for purpose which all
admit IN be legitimate, viz the defence OF the
try. Moreover, he proposes limit the extent of this
work to the Jsyyores, leaving the States the
ton Of all those portions of the route within their limits.
Nos far from tis being the revival OF the uuconsu
tona doctrine Of internal improvement by the Federal
Government say that the power Of the Gov
eminent to construct military road in the Territories
never yet called in question by the most rsd strict con-
structiouist.