Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-08-18
From the Washington Union.
Veto Of the River and Harbor Bill.

Probably the most delicate subject upon which
the President be called to act is that which
templates voting money to the States IN the shape OF
subsidies TO general and local interest The practice
itself is surrounded with difficulties and dangers 1t
is apt to into extravaganza, without license or
Limitation, by opening the door to extending and in
creasng applications each basing lis claim upon pre-
ceding appropriations, and all ending in a gigantic
and powerful system, which once established. would
bankrupt the treasury matter how great the rev.
Look at its progress thus far. We have seen
Congress uniting in favor of bills containing appropr
atoms to objects entirely local in their character
We have seen combinations of interests controlling
both houses This has given rise 10 what is called
the practice of log. rolling. How to discriminate be-
tween rival interests and how to arrest evil of such
growing magnitude, is duty which cannot fail to give
rise perplexing responsibilities failure to discharge
this duty promptly and feariessy would result in great
not fatal injury 10 the country. The legislation OF
Congress must be confined to the exercise of the pow
ers conferred by the Constitution. The great repub
lcan idea, which refuses to recognise the public trea
sury fund promote individual and local schemes
must be constantly kept in view 1t is easy for plau-
sible and powerful men, representing different doc
trne, TO argue that that is national work which is
simply local. and departure from the straight
path of duty is rapidly followed by others. We have
seen Congress influenced by the arguments of such
men, and, by desire for local popularity, voting
vast upon objects that would make the fa5hers
of the constitution stare if they now among u.s.
has anticipated, from the advance of people in
wealth and in population and from the increase Of
commerce, that such example as he is now asked
approve will be succeeded by others, until there will
hardly be State with river harbor creek, or inlet
within it's borders that will not in one way or anoth
err. hereafter be dependent upon the national treas
ury. 1t is the duty of the President therefore, to in
terpose his power against such influence SO threat
enng; and although denunciations will be showered
upon him without STINT it is better that this should
a. lo1l
neglectng to discharge delicate and imperious duty
The whole idea of appropriations for rivers and
harbors, advocated by such statesmen Senator
Badger and other Wing leaders, gro vs., in the first
place, out of the inherent belief that the money of
the people is to be used for classes and not for the
whole, and no ingenuity make it otherwise. In
the next place. they think that there cannot be too
much legislation The world, with them, cannot be
governed too much. The people cannot be happy
unless Congress is continually taking into it's hands
the affairs of the people. Now, we take the broad
grounds that Individual energy, capital, and enter
prise, are far certain elements of public happ-
ness than the loose and uncertain aid furnished by
Congress to personal and local projects Apart from
the partial tendency of the practice illustrated in the
harbor bill vetoed by the President by which mil
lions are taxed that few may prosper and apart
from the future dangers that may and must arise if
this practice is allowed 10 grow into system, the
whole history OF the world clearly shows that indi
vidual energy and skill much more certain to
conduce to the general welfare than the legislation
advocated by the friends of the river and harbor bill
The Veto of the President has been received by
the Democratic party in Congress with general salts.
faction, and cannot fail to he responded to by the
country with the feeling. Prompt, decided and
clear, it shows him to be true to the Constitutions
true to the rights of the Staes and true to the con-
sutonal interest of the people When the Presi-
dent fulfls his promise to full discussion of the
subject in his next annual message, are satisfied
it will be found that his position gives sanction to
the idea that section of the Union can constu-
tionaly receive benefits from appropriations that can
not be made for all sections.