The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-05-21


er diversity and contrariety of opinion anon.
the parties. that divide the country, than an
other The pseudo democratic party, altho
always claiming to be tie national party, ha
ever been divided on this question; and it i
not to be denied that, whenever in power tn,
manner in which the democracy have used ths
power vested in the national government, ha.
been grossly partial and unjust. To the south
7 the aid qf the general government has beer
dealt outlwith niggardly and narrow spirit
The same spirit has directed the appropriations
that were to be expended upon the rivers of the
great west THERE'S no region withinthe broad
national domain, that has required the liberia
and judicious application of public funds to-
wards the improvement of its mighty rivers and
lakes, as has the great west. Its commerce
has been hourly rapidly increasing since the
first axe was laid at the roots of It's gigantic
forests, Until it has at length reached its pre-
sent stupendous proportions. Yet this inland
commerce, compared with what it must and
will be in the not remote future, is in its infan-
cy lis young giant limbs are, it is true, I'M
tettereds but what vast results might be real
lied, not by liberaty, but what is absolutely
demanded by right and fair play, on the part
OF the general government in the application of
a few thousand dollars Of its boarded millions
towards improving the rivers and thus granting
facilities to commerce.
We were led to the foregoing remarks by
perceiving in the Congressional Globe that the
hon. Fl. Marshall, of KY, had, at the inst ga
ton of Mr. Dunn, of Indiana, introduced in the
house of representatives resolution which will
afford mass of important information regard
ing the resources and wealth of the south west,
together with the amount of its commerce.
The following is the resolution, and we are
pleased that itpassed the house by a hand
majority:
Resolved, That the secretary of war COM
municate to the house shch information as may
be in possession ofhis department on the follow
ing subjects: lst The amount and value ofthe
commerce of the Ohio and all other western
rivers; Also the nayigable length of said riv-
of said rivers, distinguishing as far as practical
Bile between steamboat and other craft 3d.
The amount and value of the commerce and
tonnage Of all canals connecting. with said rv-
ers. 4th. The extent and cost of the railroads
connecting with said rivers, and the cost Of the
equipments thereof; and also the number of
tons of freight moved by said railroads. and
the cost of transportation per mile. And, 5th,
The relative value for military defensive pur-
poses, Of the western rivers canals and rail !
.oads as now severally provided with means of ,
:
The congress Of the United States has been :
repeatedly thwarted in its laudable measures ,
or the Improvement of the rivers in southern
nd western States, and as often have these ap- &
'ropriations been met and overpowered by the =
eto of the executive. These constant yetoes .
rom the great ile-leader and embodiment of E.
1odern democracy have cut off the prospect of i
ltal improvements to navigation in the south +
nd west, although passed by decided maiori- !
es in both branches of congress. Yet, when .
yer the period arrives for the selection by the !.
eople of the United States of chief magis- .
rate, SO often do you find the democracy of :,
he south west LOUDLY called upon to again vote =
orthose who have for years past, and who even =
this time, maintain practcalIva system of f.
emocratic intolerance, which has withheld r
ON the south the means of more rapid ad- :.
ancement.
The leading southern rights and democratic o
apers of South Carolina have been for months V
gagged in discussing the proprety of sending G
elegates from that State to the democratic ma tt
onal convention to be held at Cincinnati. The b
harleston Mercury, together with all the south d
n rights sheets, has strenuously and ably op- ST
osed the sending Of delegates, declaring that g
the convention system has become the mere il
'ol of cliques of demagogues throughout the tt
ountry and consequently is not the represent 81
i've Of any respectable amount of public opin-
n" But Notwithstanding this opposition, the
ierce oAice-Eolders of Charleston and other
'wns in South Carolina have resolved that the :.
tate Cor properly speaking, themselves, shall 4
e represented at Cincinnati. At a convention :,
cid in Columbaa full delegation was elected,
nd resolution passed in favor of the reelec-
on Of president Pierce Of course they are -
realty in favor of both his excellency and r
'emselves being continued in office Oh. =
A BILLS now before the Pennsylvania senate,
ntltled "a bill to prevent the interference of tt
idges in partisan politics. The first section
f this bill declares it *'unlawf1l for any law
ldge Of any courts Of this commonwealth to
anticipate as an officer, speaker, or committee
ian, at any political meeting or assembage for
olltical purposes, undera penalty of FIVE hun
red dollars for the first offence, and removal
ON Office for the second or any subsequent
fence This is most salutary law, and L
'ould be adopted by every State in the Uni al
J. We hope the Legislature of Louisiana will
How the example set by Pennsylvania.
We learn that the postmaster general has I'd
vardpI tbn cnhtrart far carrx,ip,, ~ ,,n;Ib, VI