Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-12-31

Die to the great aggregate OF united strength III
md whose voluntary attachment is, IN my es- !
mation, far more essential to the efficiency of
government strong in the Vest of all possible ,
strength; the confidence and attachment of all |.
those who make up its constituent clements.
Thus believing, it has been my purpose to
secure to the whole people, and TO every MEM
Der Of the coniederacy, by general salutary,
and equal laws alone, the benefit OF those re-
publican institutions which il was the end and
aim of the constitution to establish, and the
impartial influence Of which is, in my iudg-
ment Indispensable TO then preservation. ]
cannot bring myself to believe, that TIE lasting
happiness of the people, the prosperity of the
States, or the permauency OF their Union, can
be maintained by giving preference or priority
10 any class of citizens in the distribution of
benefits or privileges, or by the adoption of
measures which enrich one portion of the u /
Mon, at the expense of another; nor can see |
in the interference Of the Federal Government |
with the loca legislation and reserged rights |
Of the States remedy for present, or a secu-
rIty against future dangers.
The FIRST, and assuredy not the least, in'
portant step towards relieving the country
from the condition into which 1t had been
plunged by excuses in trade banking, and
credits of all kinds, was to place the business
transactions of the Government itself on solid
basis; giving and receiving in all cases value
for value, and neither couutenanclDg nor en-
couraging in others that delusive system of
credits from which it has been found so diff
cult TO escape, and which has left nothing be-
hind it but the wrecks that mark IFS fatal Ca
reer.
That the financial affairs of the government
are now, and have been during the whole pc
Rod of these wide-spreadng difficulties, con-
Quoted with n strict AM nvariable regard to
this great fundamental principles, and that by
/ the assumption and maintenance of the stand
thus taken on the very threshold ofthe APP
preaching crisis, more than by any other cause
or causes whatever, the community at large
has been shieide from the incacuable evils Of
a general and indefinite suspension of specie
payments, and a consequent annihilation, for
the whole period it might have lasted, Of q Just
and invarable standard oi.value. will it is be-
leved, at this period, scarcely be questioned.
A steady adherence, Oh the part of the gov
ernmendto thep policy which has produced such
salutary results aided by judicious State Le-
cisation and what is not less Important by
the industry, enterprise, perseverance and
e. economy of the American people, cannot fail
to state Of solid and enduring prosperity, not
subject to be again oyerthrown by the suspeu-
: sion of banks or the explosion Of bloated
S credit system. 1t is not for the people and
r their representatives, 10 decide whether or not
the permanent welfare of the country (Which
!. all good citizens equally desire, how widely
e they may differ as to the means Of its accom-
r pishmenD shall be in this way secured, OF
s whether the management of the pecuniary
= concerns Of the Government, and, by conse-
{ Quenco TO agreater extent, those OF individual:
] also, shall be carried hack TO a condition @
. things which fusiered those c0utractions auJ
e expansions Of the currency, and these reckless
- abuses OF redit, from the banCtul effects 0
6 which, the country has so deeply suffered;
Y return that can promise, IN the end, no bette
/, results than 10 reproduce the embarrassment
enc Government las experienced, and to re
+ move iromthe shoulder ofthe present, to thos,
e of fresh victims, the bitter fruits of that spri
d of the speculative enteIprize TO which on
= comfryucu are so liable, and upon which th
e lessons Ct experience are so unavailing. Th
h choice is an important one, and ! SINGER ei
> hope that II may be wisely made.
J. 4 Report from the Secretary of War, pre-
re scutng a detailed view ufthe affairs of tina
ID department accompanies this commune,
ls ten.
m The desultory duties connected with tn
IN removal OF the Indians, in which the arm
re has been constantly engaged on the norther
q ana western frontier, and in Florida, have rel
u durCd It impracticabe TO carry into full eliet
b, the plan recommended by the Secretary f
he improving its discipline In every ins,anC
III where the regiments have been concentrate
OF they have made great progress: and the be
results may be anticipated from a continuan,
W OF this system. During the last season, a pa
ar of the troops have been employed in remoyn
" the Indians, from the interior, TO the terrific
ed assigned them IN the WCst-a duty which th,
ch have performed efficiently, ard with prais
of worthy humanity; and that portion Of the
ed which has been stationed in Florida continu
has active operations there throughout the hea
has of summer. The policy Of the United Stat
md in regard to the Indians, of which succin
]ou account is given IN my message OF 1898, a
the of the wisdom and experience Of which | a
tn fully satisfied, has been continued in acti
res operation throughout the whole period of L
wv administration. Since the Spring of ISc
pol more than forty thousand Indians have be
the remaved 10 their new home west Of the nj
fly; sissippi: and ! am happy TO add, that all Z
cry counts concur in representing the result Of Il
by measure eminenily beneficial to that Peep
on The emigration Of the Seminoles alone
ent been attended with serous difficulty and oct
ted stoned bloodshed; hosjilities having been G.
liar menced by the Indians in Florida, under [
ac- apprehension that they would be compel
ebt by force to comply with their treaty siipu
Git tons. The execution Of the treaty OF Payn
lich Landing, signed 10 1880, but not ratified Vi
ldc- 1894; was postponed at the solicitation of
of Indians, until 1886. when they again renew
'eO- their agreement TO remove peaceably to tn
ldg- new homes in the west. In the face of t
tely solemn and renewed compact, they broke th
faith ami commenced hostilities by the mas
on ere Of Major Dade's command, the murder
and their agent Gen. Thompson, and other act
; in cruel treachery.-W hen this alarming and
rue. expected intelligence reached the seat Of q
YER eminent, every effort appears to have be
. on made to reinforce Gen. Chnch, who comma
hat ded the troops then in Florida. Gen. Eu.
the was now despatched with reiniorcements fr
iges Charleston; troops were called out from
any ALBANIA, Tennessee and Georgia; and Gene
ood Scott was sent to take the command, W
onal ample powers and ample means. At the
pair alarm, Gen. Gainns organized force at n
une Orleans, and without waiting for order, lanC
lub- in Florida, where he delivered over the tro
ions he had brought with him to Gen. scott
ton Governor Call was subsequently appoin
i'm to conduct summer campaign, and at
nee close Of it was replaced by General Jes
rity These events and changes took place UNI
n in the administration Of my predecessor. N
Their outstanding the exertions ofthe experient
the officers who had commanded there for eli
teen months, on entering upon the Administ
pur- ton of the Government | found the Territ
eral Of Florida prey to Indian atrocities.