The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1854-09-13
THE wATCHWORD.

The waschword Of the model democratics,
is fast becoming generally recognized. 1t is
sailiions for Slarery but aot one cent for Free.
dom! Ten millions Of the peoples money are
expended for SOMthern railroad track, but the
Nortksis refused the right Of way across the
point Of an unoccapied island. Nothing that
this reckless administration has done shows the
despicableness Of the above principle 10 better
advantage, than the governmental interference
= with the construction Of the Rock Island
bridge.-[Dub Tribune.
What Southern railroad Is il, that the gov
eminent has expended millions for, gentle Sir
! IL you mean the ten millions Of dollars apPro-
!. pria.ed TO Mexico for large extent of valuable
Territory, which has no connection with, or
reference to any railroad tha, ever We heard Of,
Il is sufficient to say, that the United States in
tine negotiation Of this treaty, has avoided the
payment Of clai,ns, arising under that provi-
sion Of the Polk treaty with Mexico, requiring
this government to protect the Mexican from.
tier from Indian incursons and dePredations, TO
An amount already exceeding the ten millions
which probably would have amounted to an
incalculable sum, had not the treaty complained
Of been negotiated.
But, where il the parallel between the treaty
with Mexico and the Rock Island Bridge case,
cited by this astatc journalist? One is an ac-
Quisitioa of Territory aud the other simply the
exercise Of power which every municipal
: body possesses, to abase nuisances. We have
as vet seen no official statement that this gov.
ernmept has inte-tered with the Rock Island
bridge. But We may venture an opinion, that
the Rock Island Bridge will never be built; OF
II built, will not be allowed 10 remain very
long. monument Of precarious navigation and
the destruction Of property. No bridge can
span the Mississippi river, that will not be an
obstruction to navigation and tax upon the |
commerce and enterprise of the West. And If
We mistake not, the treaty BY which this nigh
u river was acquired, the laws Of our country
and the interest, enterprise and commerce Of
one half this continent, forbid the construc-
ton Of such work.
There is another view to be taken Of this
question. Rock Island belongs to the govern
ment II was reserved for military purposes.
Rail Road spectators enter upon the, Island
and without authority from any one, appropri
ate il to their own use. Why did they not OBJ
tain authority 70 appropriate this land to their
own use and behoof before they commenced
4 the erection Of their bridge. What right have
they to circulate about the country and appro-
pirate land indss ssriminately 10 their use With
ssxacsly the Same propriety they might come
iato this city and squat down upon the public
SQUARE and contend that some railroad exigency
required the land aud justified the forcible seiz
use. AZ well might they despoil half the iarms
fn dubuque county. upon this plea Of railroad
exisency, a. 70 ses mp this extraordinary claim
10 Rock Island. Are they not responsible to
the government for respass the same 40 they
would bs to an individual? Unquessionably (
they are.
We can discover no apology for the manner
ia which this company has gone about construc-
tinx the bridge. If there were no constitution :
Il impediments to the construction of this
work, the very fact that they have gone about
Il, without acquiring tile TO the land upon =
which their piers and abutments are planted, Is
Sufficient reason why their operations may be
checked.