Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1843-12-29

ton, affects society to and extent nearly, II not
quite, equaisto the adultcration of the coin.
Nor can withhold the remark. that Its ad-
vantaees, contrasted with Bank OF the Uni
ted States, apart from the fact that bank was
esteemed as obnoxious to the PUBLIC sentiment,
as well on the score of expectancy as OF con-
stitutionality, appeared to me to De striking
and obvious. The relief which bank would
afford BY an issue Of SI5 100000 Gifts notes.
Judging from the experience Of the late Y. >.
Bank. would not have occurred IN less than
fifteen years: whereas, under the proposed
arrangement, the relief arising from the issue
of 81 L, 900 900 of Treasury notes would have
been consumated in one year, thus furnishing
in Fifteenth part OF the time ia which bank
could have accomplished it. pa per medium
Of exchange, equal in amount to the real wants
Of the country, at par value with gold and sill
yer. The saving to the government would
have been equal to all the interes, which It
has had to pay on Treasury notes of previous
as we'll as subsequent issues, thereby relieving
the government, and at the same time aifordlng
relief to the people. Under ali the response
bilities attached to the station which occupy,
and 10 redemption of pledge given 10 the last
Congress at the close Of its first session.
submitted the suggestion to its consideration,
at two consecutive sessions. The recommen.
daton, however, met with no favor at its
hands. While l am free to admit, that the
necessities Of the times have since become
greatly amelioraied, and that there is good rea-
son to hope that the country is safely and rap
idly emerging from the difficulties and embar-
easements which every where surrounded 1t IN
l641, vet cannot but think that its restoration
TO sound and healthy condition would be
greatly expedited by resort to the expedient
in modified form.
The operations of the Treasury now rest on
the act of 1889, and the resolution of 1916, and
those laws have been so administered as to
produce as great quantum of good TO the
country as their provisions are capable Of yield
ing. If there had been any distinct express
ion Of opinion going to show that public SEN
timent is averse 10 the plan either as hereto
fore recommended to Congress or in modii-
ed form, while my own opinion in regard to it
would remain unchanged, should be very far
from again presenting il to your consideration.
The government has originated with The states
and the people, for their own benefit and ad-
vantage, and it would be subversive of the
foundation principles Of the political edi6ce
which they have reared. to preserve in mea-
sure which in their mature judgments, they
had either repudiated or condemned. The will
Of our constituents, clearly expressed, shou!;,
be regarded as the light 10 guide or foot
steps; the true difference betwec,, amonarchi.
cal or aristocratical government and republic
being, that in the first the will Of the few pre-
walls over the will Of the many, while in the
last the w'lll Of the many should be alone con-
suited.
Tie report of the Secretary of War will
bring you acquainted with the condition of that
important branch of the public service. The
Array may be regarded in consequence Of the
small number Of the rank and file in each COM
pany and regiment, as little more than nuceus
around which to rally the military force Of
the country in case of war. and yet its services
in preserving the peace of the frontiers are Of
most important nature. In all eases Of emer-
gency, the reliance Of the county is properly
placed in the militia of the several States, and
it may we'll deserve the consideration Of Con
gress, whether new and more perfect organ
i2alion might not be introduced, looking MAIN
~ to the volunteer companies of the Union for
the present and CT easy application 10 the great
body of militia in time of war.
The expenditures Of the War Department
have been considerable reduced in the last
two or three years; contingencies, however,
may rise, which would call for the filing up
of the regiments with full complement of
men, and make it very desirable 10 remount
the Corps of Dragons which by an act of the
last Congress was directed to be dissolved.
refer you to the accompanying report of
the Secretary for information in relation
to the Navy Of the United. While every eff
fort has been and will! continue to be made to
retrench all superhuities and lop. off all ex-
cresences which from time to time may have
grown up, yet it has not been regarded as
wise OF prudent to recommend any material
change in annual appropriations. The inter-
es,s which are involved are of too important
character to lead TO the recommendation Of any
other than liberal policy. Adequate appro-
pria;ions ought TO be made 10 enable the Ex-
ecu,ve to fit out all the ships that ale now in
a course of building, or that require repairs,
for active service in the shores, possible time,
should any emergency arise which may re-
quire it. An efficient Navy while it is the
cheapest means Of public defence, enists in
its support the feelings Of pride and confidence
which brilliant deeds and heroic valor have
heretofore served to strengthen and confirm.
| refer you particularly to that part of the
Secretary's report which has reference TO re-
cent experiments in the application of steam
in the construction of war steamers, made un-
der the superintendent Of distinguished off,
GERS Of the Navy. In addition 10 other mani
fest improvements in the construction of the
steam engine and application Of the motive
power, which has rendered them more appro-
pirate TO the uses Of ships Of war, one Of those
officers has brought into use power which
makes the steam ship most formidable, either
for attack OF defence. l cannot loo strongly
recommend this subject 10 your consideration,
and do not hesitate to express my entire con-
viction Of its great importance.
| call your particular attention also to that
portiontof the Secretary's report which has ref