The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-12-17
means placed by Congress a, the disposal Of the

means placed by Congress u, the disposal Of the
Executive will allow.
recommend particularly to your consideration,
lhal por,loh o' ine Secretary's report which pro
poses che es'ao'shment of a chain of military
posts, from Council Bluffs to some pon, m ,tyy
Pacific Ocean, within our limits The hem
eft thereby destined to acrue to our citizens or
gagged IN the fur trade over that wilderness reuion
added 10 the Importance of cultivating friendly,e
lalions with savage tribes inhabting it, and at the
same lime oil giving protection to our frontier set,
Elements, and OF establishing the means of safe in
lcicourse between the American settlements at the
mouth OF the Columbia river and those on this aide
OF the Rocky Mountains, would seem to suggest
! the Importance of carrying into effect the recon-
mendatons upon this head with as little DELAY as
may be practicable.
The report Of the Secretary of the NAVY. will
pace you in possession OF the present condition of
that important arm of the national defence Eve
ry effort will be made to add to its efficiency and
| cannot too strongly urge upon you, liberal appro.
prations to that branch of the pnbiic service In.
ducemcns of the weightiest characters exist 70, tho,
adoption orlhis course of policy. Our extended
and otherwise exposed maranne frontier, calls for
protection, to the furnishing of which an efficient
naval force is Indispensable. We look to no for
egn conquests, nor do we purpose to enter into
competition with any other nation for supremacy
on the Ocean but it is due not only to the honor,
hut the security ofthe people ofthe United States,
that no nation should be permitted to invade our
water a. pleasure, and subject our towns and vii
lagos to conilagraon or pllage. Economy in all
branches OF the public service, is due from all the
public agents OF the people-but parsimony alone
would suggest the Withholding of the necessary
means, for the protection of our domestic resdcs
/ unElnn nnHn Ia,.
grace. l would most earnestly recommend TO
Congress, to abstain from all appropriation for OBJ
jects not absolutely necessary; but tuke upon
myself, without moment Of hesltancy, all the
responsibility of recommending the increase and
promt equipment of that gallant Navy, which has
lighted up every with its victories, and spread
and mperishable glory over the Country.
The report of the Postmaster General will claim
your particular attention, not only because of the
valuable suggestions which il contains, but because
of the great Importance which, at all times, at
taches to that interesting branch Of the public ser
vice. The increasing expense of transporting tho
mail along the principle routes necessarily claims
the public attention and has awakened a CORES
ponding sociiude on the part of the Government,
The transmission Of the mail must keep pace with
those facilities of inter-communicaon which arc
every day becoming greater through the building
OF railroads and the application of steam pow
er-but 1t cannot be disguised that, in order TO do
SO, the Post Office Department is subjected to
heavy eSaclons The lines of communications be-
tween distant parts Of the Union, are, to Il great
extent, occupied by railroads, which in the nature
Of thing, possess complete monopoly, and the de-
Partment is therefore liable to heavy and unreason-
able charges. This evil is destined to great in
crease in future, and some timely measure may
become necessary TO guard against i.
lfeel 1t my duty to bring under your considera-
ton practice which has grown up in the admins
traion OF the Government, and which am deeply
convinced ought TO be corrected. | allude to the
exercise of the power. which usage, rather than
reason has vested in the President orrenloying in
culnbents from office, in order to substitute others
more IN favor with the dominant party. My own
coduct, In this respect has been governed by con-
sclenllous purpose to exercise the removing rowcr
only in cases of unlai,hfulness or inability, or in
those in which It's exercise appeared necessary, in
order to d!scountenance and suppress that spirit Of
active partisanship on the part Of holders of office,
not only wthdraws them from the steady and i'm
partial discharge of their official duties, but exerts
an undue and injurious influence over cleo
tons, and degradcs the character of the Govern
ment itself, nasmuch as it exhibits the Chief Mag
'sra'c, us being party through his agents, in the
secret plots or open working ofpoitca parties
| 1" ''oPVc' w lhc cAeIClse Of lrs power, nothing
should be left to discretion, which may safely be
regulated by law; and it is of high importance to
restrain us far as possible the smulous of personal
interests in public elections. Considering the
great Increase which has been made in public Off
ces, in the last quarter ola century, and the prob
ability OF further increase, we incur the hazard of
witnessing violent political contests, directed to Of
ten Il the single object of retaining office BY those
who are in, or obtaining il by those who are out
Under the influence Of these convictions, shall
cordially concur in any constitutional measures for
regulating, and by regulating the power of lemo-
val
suggest for your consideration, the proprietv
ofmaklns, without further delay, some specific ap
pIlcatlon ofthc funds derived under the will of MIR
Smiihson Of England, for the diffusion of knowl-
edge; and which have heretofore, been vested in
public stocks until such time as Congress should
think proper TO give them specific direction. Nor
VIII you, feel confident, permit any abatemen. of
the principal of the legacy TO be made should it
lnin out that the ocks, in which the investments
have been made, undergone II depreciation
In conclusion, commend TO your care the in
iercsts of this District for which YOU are the eA-
elusive legislators. Considering that this city islhe
residence OF that Government, and, for large part
OF the year, OF Congress, and considering also, the
great cos, of the Public Buildings and the proprc-
~ ofaiordng them at all times careful protection,
1t seems not unreasonable that Congress should
contribute towards the expense of an efficient pol
ice. John 'rYJ ri
Washington, Dec. 7, 1871.