Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-12-13

speculative mama every where seizes upon the
public mind. A fictitious state OF prosperity for Q
season exists; and, in the language OF the day
money becomes plenty. Contracts arc entered IN
to by individuals resting on this unsubstantiol state
Of things, but the dClusion speedily passes away
and the country is oyerrrn with an Indebtedness sc
weiphtv as 10 oycrwhelm many, and TO visit every
department OF industry with great and runous EN-
barrassmcnt. The greatest vigilance becomes ne
cessary on the part of Government to guard against
this state of things. The repositories must be
piven distinctly to understand that the avors of the
Government will be altogether withdrawn, or sub
stantinlly diminished if its revenues shall be re-
gardcd as additions to their banking capital or as
the foundations of an enlarged circulation The
Government through its revenue has, at all times
an important part to perform in connection with TIE
currency and it greatly depends upon its vigilance
and care, whether the country he involved IN Gun
barrassmcnts similar to those which it has had re-
Gently to encounter; or, aided by tie action of the
Treasury, shall be preserved in sound and healthy
condition
The dangers to be guarded against ire greatly
augmented by too large a surplus OF revenue
When that surplus greatly exceeds IN amount what
shall be required by wise and prudent forecast to
meet unforeseen contingencies, the Legislature IT.
self may come to be seized with disposition 10
indulge in extrayagant appropriations to objects,
many of which may-and most probably would 90
be found TO CO ffct with the Constitution. fan
cied cXedicncy IS elevated above constitutional au-
thority and a reckless and wasteful extravaganza
but too certainly follows, The important power of
taxation, which, when exercised in It's most restrict
ed form, is a burden on labor and production, is re
sorted to- under various prctcX,s for purposes h1v-
ing no affinity to the motives which dictated its
grant and the extravaganza Of Government siimu-
lates individual extravaganza, until the spirit Of a
wild and i'll regulated speculation, involves one and
ALL in its unfortunate results In view of such ia
tai consequences, it may be laid down an axiom,
well founded in moral and political truth, that no
greater taxes should be imposed than are ncccs-
sary for an economical administration of the Gov
ernment; and that whatever exists beyond, should
be reduced or modified. This doctrine does in no
way conflict with the exercise of sound discrimin-
ton in the articles to be taxed, wli;h duo regard
to the public veal would at all times suggest to the
Legislative mind 1t leaves the range Of selection
underlined; and such selection should always be
made with an eye to the great interests of the coun
try. Composed as is the Union, Of separate and
independent States, patriotic Legislature will not
fail in consulting the interests of the parts 10 adopt
such courses as will be best calculated to advance
the harmony of the whole; and thus ensure that
permancncy in the policy of the Government with
out which all efforts to advance the public prosper
y are vain and frutless. This great and vitality
important task rests with Congress; and the Exec
utye can do no more than recommend the general
plliClplCS Which, SIOulu govern III us CAGCUtlOH.
refer you to the report of the Secretary of War,
for exhibition of the condition Of the army and
recommend to you, well worthy your best con
slderatiOn, many OF the suggestions 1t confirms
The Secretary, IN no degree eXaggcrates the impor
lance 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 u state
Of security against the hazards Of hostile attack
within the last four years; and considering the new
elements which have been, Of late years employed
in the prope,ling OF ships, and the formidable I'M
plements Of destruction which have been brought
into service, cannot be 100 active and yipilaut
in preparing and perfccting the means of defence.
refer you, also, to his report for full statement
Of the condition of the lnaian tribes within cur
jurisdiction. The Executive has abated 10 effort
IN carrying into effect the we'll established policy
Of the Government, which conlompotes a removal
Of all the tribes residing within the limits of the
several States, beyond those limits; and it is now
enabled to congratulate the country at The prospect
IF an early consultation of this object. Many of
lie tribes have already made great progress n The
arts of civilized life ana Through Tie operation of
he schools established among them, aided by the
efforts Of the pious men OF various religious denomi
devote themselves to the task of
heir improvement-we may iondly hope that the
emains Of the formidable tribes which were once
masters Of this country, Will, IN their transition
rom the savage state, to condition Of refinement
md cultivation, add another bright trophy to adorn
he labors Of well directed hlanthropy.
The accompanying report of the Secretary the
Navy will explain TO you the situation Of that
branch Of the service. The present organization
If the DEPARTMENT. imparts to It's operations great
Efficiency but concur fully in the propreiy of u
liyislon OF the Bureau Of Construction, Equipment
md Repairs, into two BureauX. The subjects, a.
low arranged, are incOngruous, and require TO
certain extent, information and qualifications alto
yether dissimilar.
The operations of the squadron on the coast of
Africa have been conducted with all due attention
0, the object which led to its organization; and |
IN happy to say that the officers and crews have
njoyed the best possible health, under the sys-
EN- adopted by the officer in command. 1t is be-
levcd the United States IS the only nation which
las, by its laws, subjected to the punishment of
eath, pirates, those who may be engaged in the
lave trade. A similar enactment, on the part OF
ther nations, would not fail to be attended with
beneficial results
In consequence of the difficulties which have
Xisted in the way Of securing titles for the
grounds, operations have not vet been |
towards the establishment The Navy
lard at Memphis. So soon as the title is perfect
ID, no further delay will be permitted to intervene.
t is well worthy Of your consideration, whether
Congress should not direct the establishment of !
Navy Yard, as moas1fe not only of economy, but
IS highly useful and necessary The only estab
ishment of the sort now connected with the ser
ice is located at Boston; and the advantages OF a
similar establishment, convenient to the hemp
growing region, must be apparent to all,
The report of the Secretary presents other mat
ers to yonr.consderation, of an important charac-
ter in connection with the service.
In referring you to the accompanying report of
the Postmaster General, it affords me continued
cause Of qualification to be able to advert to the
fact that the affairs of the Department, for the last
f ur year have been SO conducted as from its un-
aided resources, TO meet its large expenditures. On
my coming into Office debt Of nearly S5000O0
existed against the Department, which Congress
discharged by an appropriation from the Treasury
The Department. on the 18th Of March next, will be
found, under the management Of its present eff
cent head, free of debt or embarrassment, which
could only have been done by the observance and
practice Of the greatest vigilance and economy
The laws have contemplated, throughout, that the
Department should be seli-suslaned; but it may
ocos,orv with The XVispst rpuor1 IN tho