The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1873-07-05
internal improvements ~ Y I(aiir0atis--
NpnNorltiO Policy Of Texas,

lhN Pth|oNittto ppitSt tS ~ hNtioiiai
organization, was never opposed to in
mistake of our Democratic friends that
true Democracy requires them to op-
pose all progress in this direction, that
it should be lott entirely 70 individual
eNertinils, and that 1t Is wrong for the
general and State governments to eX-
tend any aid for the internal improve
ment of the country. 1t. is true that
the Democracy Of the early times, Being
strict colistructionists, opposed a sweep
mgsystem ofinternal improvements on
the part OF the general government, as
being a stretch OF the powers granted
under tho Constitution, and liable to-
great abuse. But no doubt existed as
to the power. of the general govern
ment to make appropriations for im-
proving our harb0rs, both on the seas
and tho lakes, as wei rs the more I'M
p0rtant manageable ripcislg Mr., Gall
hpun, the very head nf strict ,construc-
tionists, IN the first great commercial
convention, held at Memphis, contend
cd for the power Of the general gov
.crnment toimprove the Mississippi riv-
er, calling it ~ great inland sea-"
Every Democrat, In those days, admit
ted the power Of the States over Inter
nal improvenentsAtlierc was no qucs-
,tiOn of that-rand many of the
States took up the matter warmly and
cncrgetically, and incurred heavy debts
in the CONSTRUCTION of canals and other
Improvements. And the most of these
States were under the control of the
Democracy n greater part of the time
when these things Were done. Old
Democrats remember this well, and
are surprised when somei0f our mod
iern newlight Democrats dppupneeI all
State aid to internal improvements as
undcmocratic and attempt TO read the
friends Of railroads out Of the Demo-
eratic'party. Why, these nicn are not
wellup in political history. They had
better become more conversant with
the doctrines and past doings of the
party they profess to belong to,
before they undertake to ostracisc
men, to say the least as pure
and patriotic rs themselves. -4y If
they did but know 1t, they themselves
are the heretics or dissentcrs of their
party. AS such we would treat tllem
with Kindness, and endeavor 10 bring
them back to the true old Democratic
faith of the fathers, The Democratic
party of the Union would never have
Remained in power as long az II did,
had it been opposed to u ,mdjeious sys-
tenn of internal ipilpQyenents, aud the
Democratic party 6f Texas would be
rent into fragments, and become an
easy prcyto the Radicals, or some mon-
grel, half-mced concern did ii attempt
to set itself up against all progress, and
ignore. the vital interests of the State.
But 1t will do nc. such foolish thing. Ii
will continue the policy inaugufated by
some of its wjsesL and best men. What
has that been? The granting of State
aid hi tho way of lands, reserving the
alternate sections. III We can get the |
desired railroads built nby doing this,
We shall be doing well. It is! idle to
talk about squandering the pnblicl lands
and fdbbing the school ftfnd-this il
tenagogiis,a, i'Fhc lands are worth
less, or nearly so, without railroads.
Halt the lands, with the railroads, will
without them. Instead of a loss, il
will be aifactual gain to the State. Is
this throwing away the lands to the !
the school fund robbed by actually in
CItbsinp tlic uNuliubic luiiti, ;iS W III DC
the case when the railroads arc built
aud the State filed upiwith enterpris-
ing, Industrious immigrants d,NaNs
sense. t4...,.
All parties and ali Interests viii be
benefited by Keeping up the 'p6licy |
which has heretofore marked tho DEM |
ocratic party of Texas. We want no
new plank In the Democratic platform,
and we want no old plank taken out to |
weaken and upset and overthrow 1t. 1
As for money subsidies, they are p{
Radical invention, No, sound Denlo-
crat goes for them. The Corsicana plat
form denonuces tflem-the Democracy !
are o Unit against them" A. for the 4
money subsidy, granted by the Radical
Legislature to the International Rail- I
road, that is matter for the courts to
decide. IL should not 10 iito the |
Democratic Convention, and the sub 4
ject should have no place i'm the DEM |
the bonds, to be issued under the char
ter, to be legal debt against tho State,
they must be recognized as such, aud
there must lle 40 party contest about
them. Theroad, as ALREADY built, " a !
good thing for the State and Its COM
pletion through the capital to san An
tonic and the Rio Grande win be still
gIeateT good, and the company who
accomplish all this. should be treated
not only with. Justice, but liberality.
We think the next Legislature will Be
able to compromise and settic This mat 1
ter to the satisfaction of all PARTIES
/ Democratic Statesman. ...