The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-12-19

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fatal career.
That the financial affairs Of the Govern.
ment are now, and have been during the
whole period of these wide spreading diff.
culties, conducted with a strict and invaria-
BILE regard to this great Fundamental princi-
pie, and that by the assumption and main
tcnance of the stand thus taken on the very
threshold Of the approaching crisis, more
than by any other cause OF causes whatever,
the community al large has been shielded
from the incalculable evils of general and
indefinite suspension of specie paymests,
and a consequent annibiation, for the whole
period i, might have lasted, of a Just and
invariable standard of value, will, 1t is be-
lleved, at lhis period, scarcely be question
ed.
steady adherence on the part of the
Government, 10 the policy which has pro-
duced such salutaty results, aided by Judi
cous Stale legislation, and, what is moi less
important. by the industry, enterprise, per-
severance, and economy of the American
people, cannot fail to raise the whole coun-
try, at an early period, 10 a state of solid
and enduring prosperity, not subject TO be
again overlhrown by the suspension of
banks or the explosion of bloated credit
system. 1t is for the people, and their re-
presentatlves, 10 decide whether or no, the
permanent welfare of the country (which
all good citizens equally desire, however
widely they may differ as 10 the means of
its accomplishment shall be in this wav
secured; or whether the manag of the
pecunlary concerns Of the Government, and
by consequence, TO a condition of things
which tostered those contractions and ex-
pansons of the currency, and those reck-
less Hbuses of credit, from the baleful effects
OF which the country has SO deeply suffer-
ed--a return that can promise, in the end,
no better results than to reproduce the en-
barrassments the Government has experience
ed; and 10 remove from the shoulders of The
present, to those of fresh victims, the bitter
fruits of that spirit of speculative enterprise
10 which our countrymen are 80 liable, and
upon which the lessons Of experience are
so unavailIng. The choice is an important
one and sincerely hope that it may be wise
ly made.
A report from the Secretary of War, pre-
senting detailed view of The affairs of that
department, accompanies this communica-
ton.
The desultory duties connected with the
removal of the Indians, in which the army
has been constantly engaged on the north
ern and western frontiers, and in florida,
have rendered it impracticsble to carry into
full effect the plan recommended by the
Secretary for improving its discipline. In
every instance where the regiments haye
been concentrated they have made grea,
progress; and the best resu sulls NAV be anti
cipated from continuance of this system,
During the last season, part of the troops
have been employed in removing Indians
from the interior to the territory assigned
them in the west--a duty which ,hsy have
performed efficiently. and praise worthy hu-
manilyi and that portion of them which has
been stationed in Florida continued active
operations there throughout the heats OF
summer.
The policy Of the United states in regard
to the Indians, of which succlnct account
is given in my message Of 1888, and of the
wisdom. and exPediency of which am full.
ly satisfied, has been continued in active on.
eraiicn throughout the whole period of nv
Since the spring of 1897,
more than forty thousand Indians have been
removed TO their homes west of the Missis-
sippi; and l am happy to add, ,hat all ac-
counts concur in representing the result of
this measure as eminently beneficial 10 that
people.
The emigration Of the Seminoles alone
has been attended with serious difficulty.
and occasion bloodshed; hostlilies having
been commenced by the Indians in Florida,
under the apprehension that they would be
by force; to comply with their
treaty stipulations. The execution of The
treaty of Payne's Landing, signed in 1882,
but not ratified until 1894, was postponed.
at the solicitation of the Indians, until 1896,
when they again renewed their agreement
TO remove peaceably to their new homes in
the west. In the face of this solemn and
renewed compact, they broke their faith,
and commenced hoslilities by the massa-
ere of Major Dade's command, the murder
of their agent, General Thompson, and other
acts Of cruel treachery. When this aar.
ming and unexpected intelligence reached
The seat Of Government, every effort ap.
pears to have been made to reinforce Gen
eral Clinch, who commanded the troops
then in Florida, General Euslis was dee
L. IL