American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper., 1844-12-04


the Constitution. gancieJ eXpedIency is ele
waited above constitutional authority; and a
reckless and wa,teiul extravaganza but too Ger
taUly iNllOWs. The important power OF taxa
tion, which, when exercised IN its most re.
stricted form, is burden on labor and prpduc
ton, is resurted to, under various preicxts, tor
purposes having no affinity to the motives
which dictated It's grant, and the cX'ravagance
ut Governmeut stimulates individual eXtrava.
gance, until the spirit OF wild aud i'll rrgula
ted speculation, Involves one and all in its un-
fortunate results. In view Of such fatal con-
sequences, it may be laid down as an axiom,
founded in moral and political truth, that no
greater taxes should be imposed than are nc
cPsS1ry Iur an economical administration OF the
Governments and that whatever exists beyond,
should be reduced or modified. This doctrine
does in no way conflict with the exercises OF a
sound discrimination in the selection OF the ar
tces TO be taxed, which due regard to the
public veal would at all times suggest to the
Legislative mind. It leaves the range OF selec
ton underlined; and such selection should all
ways he made with eye TO the great interests
Of the country. Composed as is the Union, OF
separate and independent States, patriotic
Legislature will not lal! in consulting the in
erests of the parts, to adopt such course as will
be best calculated to advance the harmony of
the whole aud thus ensure that permanency in
the policy of the Government without which
all elfrts to advance the public prosperity are
vain and fruItlesS This great and vitality inn
portaot task rests with Congress; and the Exc
cutive can do no more than recommend the
general principles which should govern in its
execution.
/ refer you to the report Of the Secretary of
War, for an exhibition of the condition OF the
army; and recommend 10 you, as well worthy
your best consideration, many OF the suRges-
tons it contains, The Secretary in no degree
eXapgerates the great importance, of pressing
forward, without delay, IN the work OF erect
ing and finishing the notifications, to which he
particularly aIludes. Much has been done
towards placing our cities and roadsteads in
state Of security against the hazards Of hostile
attack, within the last four years; but consid>
eruG the new elements which have been, OF
late years, employed in the propc!ling of ships,
aud he formidable implements Of destruction
which have been brought into service, we can
not be too active or vigilant in preparing and
psrlecting the means Of defence. | reter yoH,
also, to his report tor full statement OF the
condition OF the Indian tribes within our juris.
dicton. The Executive has abated 10 effort
in carrying into effect the wel-establshed pol.
leg OF the Government, which contcmplates
removal of all the tribes residing within the
limits Of the several States, beyond those lin-
it's aud 1t is now enabled to congratulate the
country at the prospect Of an carly consumma.
tion of this object Many OF tbe tribes have
already made great progress in the arts OF civil
lzed life; and through the operation OF the
schools established among them, aided by the
efforts Of the piuus men OF various religious de-
nominations who devote themselves to the
task of their inprovementwe may fondy hope
that, the remains OF the formidable tribes which
wsre once the masters Of this country will, in
their transition from the savage state, to con-
dition of refinement and cultivation, add anoth
er bright trophy to adorn the labors OF a we'll
directed pajlaLthropy.
The accompanying report OF the Secretary OF
the Navy, will explain tp you the situation OF
that branch of the service. The present organ
izatlon OF the Department, imparts to its opera
tions great efficiency; but concur tullj in the
proprleiy of a division Uf the Bureau Of Con-
struction, Equipment, and Repairs, into two
ButeAux. The subjects, as now arranged, are
incongruous, and require, to certain extent,
information and qualifications altogether dis
similar.
The operations Of the squadron on the coast
OF Africa have been conducted with all due at
tention to the object which led to its organiza-
tion; aud | am happy to say that the officers
and crews have enjoyed the best possible heal'h
under the system adopted b. the officer in COM
mand. II is believed the United States is the
only nation which has, By its law, subjected TO
the punishment of death, as pirates, those who
may be ged in the slave-trade A similar
enactment on the part Of other nations would
not fail to be attended by beneficial results
In consequence OF the difficulties which have
existed in the way of securing titles for the ne
cesssary grounds, operations have not yet been
commenced towards the establishment of Ma
Wy Yard at Memphis. So soon the title is
perfected, no further delay will be permitted to
intervene. It's well worthy your considera-
tion, whether Congress should not direct the
establishment Of rope-Walk, in connection
with the contemplated Navy Yard, as a meas
ure not only of econou y, but as highly useful
and necessary. The only establishment of the
sort now connected with the service is located
at Boston; and the advantages OF similar es-
Enlistment, convenient to the hemp growing
region, must be apparent 10 all.
The report Of the Secretary presents other
matters to your consideration, OF an important
character in connection with the service.
In referring you 10 the accompany ing report
of the Postmaster General, it affords me con
tinued cause of qualification to be able to ad-
vert to the fact, that the aff4irs OF the Depart
ment, for the last four years have been so con
Quoted as, from its unaided resources, to meet
its large expenditures. On my coming into
office debt of nearly S500,00O existed against
the Department, which Congress discharged by
an appropriation from the Treasury. The De
partmeht, on the 4th of March next, will be
found, under the management of the present ct
fcient head, free o! debt or embarrassment,
which could only have been done by the obser.
vance and practice of the greatest vigilance and
economy The laws have contemplated,
throughout, that the Department should be self
sustained; but it may become necessary, with
the wsest regard to public interests, to intro
duce amendments and alterations in the system
There is strong desire manifested IN many
quarters, SO to alter the tariff Of letter postage
as to reduce the amount of tax at present I'M
posed Should such a measure be carried into.