Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-12-15
RICHMOND. Va, TUESDAY, DEC. 10, IB4U'
The Message.


The Message.
We ,re cr;bbed and crcumscribed in every direc-
top bv The pressure upon columns OF the volum.
nous proceedings of the House OF Delegates, and OF
CONGRESS Indeed, we shall have very little sea-room
until the week after next we nave scarceiy any room
this morning for the few remarks to which we are con-
fined on the Presidents admirable message. IL IS the
hest messaye which has ever emanated from Mr. Van
Burens pen The last strains OF the swan are SAID 10
be the sweetest In fact, It is one OF the best state
papcrs that has ever issued from the Executive CHAR,
rich has been with the trophies oil wisdom ana OF
experience As composition il is excellent-unting
ELEGANCE of STYLE with conclseness, cearness and Dig
nty of dic,ion As an historical review OF the mea-
sures of his administration 1t is modest but mastery
exposition But the principal beauty of the message
consists in the Republican tone, and principles winch
it interweavcs in the progress of lis statements. All
its constitutional and elementary principles are OF the
Old Republican School Of ~. They are the only
principles which can save the Republican party and is
under their banner that must rally for the great
struggle which threatens TO assal The Constitution
under the auspices of the Webster Dynasty, and of
the extraordinary coalition which about to
into power.
Mr.. Van Buren, places himself upon the foundation
stone of the Republican Party of IS lie "views the
aggregate powers fthe Federal Government ms volun-
tary concession of the States the Federal Web
scr School do as founded by the People othe S. His
next principle flows direct corolary from it, "tha
such only should be exercised were ut the time
intended to be given This cardinal proposition he
forces in variety of forms. He proclaims, for IN
stance, that the Federal Government was "entrusted
only with certain limited powers cautious enumerated
distinctly specified, and defined with precision and
clearness which would to defy msconstrnctlon;
and hence it has been his constant aim TO contne hm-
self) within the limits clearly marked out, and so
carefully guarded He wisely holds, therefore, that
the best preservave of the union of the States is to
be found in total abstinence from the exercise OF all
doubtful powers on the part OF the Federal Govern
ment, rather than in attempts TO assume them by
loose construction of the Constitutions or an ngenus
perverson of its words" lie illustrates this position
by the Bank of the United States, which he condemns
on the grounds Of consttGonay as well rs Of roli-
cy The objections which he urges 10 such money
king, on account Of the INDUSTRIOUS influence which
il must exert, and the abuses OF which the late
Bank has been guilty, calculated to enlist every
Republican against such National Institution, in any
shape whatsoever. Upon this point, the Alessa &c
rings warnings in ears, which ought never TO be
forgotten. The Message also brings into prominent
relief another evil from which are now happily rid
den: but which the Capitalists of England, and too
many of our own Citizens are willing TO fasten up
on u.s. the shape of Assumption Of the State Debts
Even Mr. Webster, with all his disclaimers, is willing
to whip the Devil round the stump and give the States
the avails of The public lands for the purpose Of pay
inc their debts The President, the contrary, wisely
holds that the sales of the pubd lands should contrl
butte 10 pay the expenses Of the Federal Government;
and thus supercede IN like manner the necessity OF
supplying the vacuum by an augmentation OF the Ia
riff The maxims which he groupes in the following
sentence, might constitute the thelhes OF hnihefous
Lectures
"o avoid the necessity permanent dh and it, inevitable
have adj ocaed and eEdcayofcd ef
70 h directs onu q: are clearly hin he constitutional authority
If Government Of excluding from IL expenses i"
Iatrac improvement, which wisely arrested by the
stuona inerposon Of my predecessor and which, they ai
~ htfDr
the finances Of the General Government III eara-sents lar
greater than those which are now experienced ny any o. he
States of limiting all expenditures 70 that SIMPLE nostenia
tio- and Garcon OF public affairs, which alone
consistent wt The faGe,,r q "' @silI .'.ai sa, GS"g
ADEQUATE 10 dfray all expenses thus incurred but under no pre-
,pnr" whatever 10 impose upon the people greater
amount than actually 70 Tue public service conduct:
ell upon the principles have stated
Unite these fundamental maxms with the following
principle, which sweeps away an oppressive ana une-
dual Protective Tariff, and we have body OF truth,
which embraces all the great principles Of the kepuoli-
can School:
pcope ana Of the Gonecacy by general
iuar and equal laws alone The benefit Of those Republican in
s,uons which was Tie end ana ann :" is Constitution 70 rs
indispensable their csevatinn cannot bring myself 10 b.
ieyc that happiness =" the people the prosperity ." the
states Or The pcmancnry their onion be maintained by
r;riag Prene priority 10 am ass u e:e"s " nc d6"f'on
IF Jacfts pcses by tic adoption II zach earih
cas PORTION 81 the Ja;on a. cptne Gaoa; in
the interference Federal Government m The local egisia
ton and rvc rights 81 The states remedy Tor present. or
security against future dangers
One of the most agreeable features Of tie Message is
The information which il gives US about the state OF the
Finances This is most unexpected and startling 10 the
Who secrs 1t was but the other day, that the Wing
orpan in this city predicted, that the first and most
important difficulty of Gen Harrisons administration
will be the deficit i'll the Treasury, achieh estimates at
90 or 80 millions, and supposes that IT will force upon
him the necessity of imposing additional taxes upon
the country to defray the expenses OF the Government
Gen Harrison and his friends are happily relieved
from this necessity. They need not call any Extra
Session of Congress TO raise the wind They need not
raise the Protective Tariff aud the younger Seward
visit to North Bend last summer, for the purpose Of
obtaining some satisfactory pledges from Gen liarr
son upon this subject may have been made in vain =
The Message the Representatives OF tile People,
that notwithstanding the heavy expenses he has been
compelled to meet; Notwithstanding the late severe pres
sure upon the OF the country the bitter anu
inc yable fruit Of previous oyerbankIng and over-dea-
ing; Notwithstanding the gradual reduction OF the Tariff
for several years, yet from the commencement OF his
Administration s'to the present day, every demand upon
the Government, at home abroad, has been promptly
met. This has been done not only without creating
permanent debt or resort to additional taxation IN
any FORM but in the midst Of steadily re-
duc,ion Of existing burdens upon the people leaving
still considerable balance of available funds which
will remain in the Treasury at the end OF the year,
Zone and half millions the lst January next y
The small amount of Treasury notes, not exceeding
four and half millions of dollars, still outstanding, and
less BY twenty three millions than the United States
have in depostc with the States, is composed of such
only as are yet due, have been presented for
payment. They may be redeemed out of The accrnng
revenue if the expenditures do not exceed the amount
within which they may, it is thought, be Ike kept with
out prejudice TO the public interest and the revenue
shall prove to be large may justly be anticipated
The Annual Report Of the Secretary Of the Treasury
which shall lay before before readers on Friday
| fully confirms these statements of the Message.
Let the present Congress therefore keep constant
curb upon the expenses Of the Government; ard so
far from being compelled TO raise the Tariff the present
session may adjust it 10 reduce the average OF
duties lower point than the compromise act itself
would indicate. The returning prosperity OF the
country will be accompanied by an expansion Of COM
merce and OF impora,ions, which will make
lower rate Of duty be productive of greater revenue
The Secretary estimates the amount for the next year
at more than nineteen millions 1t cannot be denied
by any impartial man. that let who would be the Pre-
sden the country destined TO recover her energies
The cycle which il has to pass through, s nearly com