Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1844-12-25

r
ceeds in amount what shall be required
by a wise and prudent forecast 10 meet
unforeseen contingencies, the Legislature
itself may come 10 be seized with a dispo-
sition to indulge in eXlrayagant oppropri-
atoms to objects, many Of which may
and most probably woud-bo found TO
conflict with the constitution. A financial
expcdiency is elevated above constitution.
al authority, and reckless and waslelul
extravaganza but too certainly follows.
The important power of taxation, which,
when exercised in its most restricted form,
is burden on labor and production, is re-
sorted 10, under various pretexts, for pur.
poses having no affinity TO the motives
which dictated its grant, and the extrava-
ganCe of Government stimulates adiyidu-
al extravaganza, until the spirit Of wild
and i'll regulated speculation, involves one
and all 10 its unfortunate results In view
OF such fatal consequences, il may be laid
down as an axiom, founded on moral and
political truth that no greater taxes should
be imposed than are necessary for an eco
nomical administration Of the Government,
and that whatever exists beyond, should
be reduced or modified.
The doctrine does in no way conflict
with the exercise of sound discrimination
in the selection of the articles TO be taxed,
which n due regard to the public veal
would, at all times, suggest TO the Legisla-
tive mind. 1t leaves the range Of selec-
ton underlined; and such selection should
always be made with an eye to the great
interests OF the country. Composed as is
the Union. Of separate and Independent
States, patriotic Legislature will not fail
in consulting the interests Of the parts, to
adopt such course as will be best calculated
to advance the harmony Of the whole, and
thus ensure that permanency in the policy
Of the Government, without which, all ef.
forts to advance the public prosperity are
vain and fruitess, This great and vitality
important task rests with. Congress, and
the executive cannot do more than recon.
mend the general principles which should
govern in ITS execution.
| refer you to the report Of the Secreta.
ry Of War, for an exhibition of the condi.
ton Of the Army; and recommend to you,
as well worthy your best consideration,
mOny of the suggestions il contains. The
Secretary, in no degree, exaggerates the
great importance OF pressing forward,
without delay, in the work of erecting and
finishing the Notifications, TO which he
particularly alludes. Much has been done
towards placing our cities and roadsteads
in a state of security against the hazards Of
hostile attack, within the last four years
but considering the new elements which
have been, Of late years, employed in the
propeling Of ships, and the formidable i'm.
pIcments Of destruction which have been
brought into service, we cannot be too &C.
tive or vlgiIant in preparing and perfect.
ing the means of defence. refer you,
also, to his report for a full statement of
the condition Of the Indian tribes within
our jurisdiction. The Executive has aba.
ted no effort IN carrying into effect the
wel'estabished policy OF the Government,
which COntcmpIates a removal of all the
tribes residing within the limits Of the sew
erO States, beyond those limits; and it is
now enabled to congratulate the country
at the prospect of an early consummalion
of this object. Many of the tribes have
already made great progress in the arts of
civilized life; and through the operation
of the schools established among them,
aided by the efforts of the pious men of
various religious denomnations-who de.
vote themselves to the task of their i'm
proyement-we may foudly hope that the
remains of the formidable tribes which
were once the masters Of this country,
will, in their transition from the savage
state, to condition of refinement and cu.
tiyaton, add another bright trophy to
adorn the labors of well-directed phiIan.
thropy.
The accompanying report Of the Secre-
tary of the Navy will explain 10 you the
situation of that branch of the service.
The present organization of the Depart.
ment imparts to its operations great eff
cheney; but concur fully in the propriety
of division of the Bureau of Cpnstruc.
ton, Equipment, and Repairs, into two
BureauX, The subjects, as now arranged,
are incongruous, and require, to a certain
extent information and qualifications alto.
gether dssimilar
The operations of the squadron on the
coast of Africa have been conducted with
all due attention to the object which led to
its organization; and am happy to say
that the officers and crews have enjoyed
the best possible health, under the system
adopted by tho officers in command. Ill
is believed that the United States is tho
only nation which has, by its laws, sub.
jec'ed to the punishment of death, as pi.
rates, those who may be engaged in the
slave trade. A similar enactment on the
part of other uatous would not fail to be
attended by beneficial sesults.
T. 4 AZ. Il la =