The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1846-12-19

vince.
hes ,bus attended our military and naval op
CREATIONS. In less than seven months after
Mexico com menced hos,ililies, Of time se-
lec,ed by herself, we have taken possess
sion OF many of her principal ports, driven
back and pursued her invading army, and
acquired military possession Of The Mex
Icsn provinces of New Mexico, New Leon
ICoahuila, Tamaulpas, and The CALIFORNIA;
"a territory larger in extent than lhs, embrac-
ed in the original thirteen States Of ,he u
MON, inhabited by considerable population
and much of i, more than ihousand miles
from the points at which we had 10 coIlec
our forces and commence our movements.
By the blockade, the import aud export
uade of the enemy has been cut off.
Well may the American people be proud
of the energy and gaDsntry of our regular
and volunteer officers and soldiers. The
events Of these few months afford crafty
ing proof thai our country can, under any
emergency, confidently rely for the main
tenance Of her honor, and the defence OF
her rights, on an effective force. ready at
all times voluntarily to rtlinquish the com
forts Of home for the perils and ptivalons Of
the camp. And though such force may
be for The time expensive, it is in the end
Economical, as the ability to command il
removes the necessity Of employing a large
standing army in time Of peace, and proves
tha. our people love their institutions and
are ever ready 10 defend and protect them
1.-THE President next alludes to our friendly offer
to negotiate since the war began, and the answer
OF Mexico TO it; and after noticing several other
lpoints,and making some recommendations to Con.
gress, closes his mastery exposition upon the sub
jcct of the war. He proves fully that it is, upon
our part, just war and that the conduct of the
administration has been irreproacbable and patri-
otic.
He refers to the financial affairs Of the govern.
ment and shows that since the 4th of March, 1916
lup to the 9th of December 1916, the whole a.
mount of the public debt created is only little over
SIX millions ofdollars including the war expenses.
The message concludes as follows.
The balance in the treasury on the frs, Of
July last exceeded nine millions Of dollars
notwithstanding considerable expenditures
had been made for the war during the
months of May and June preceding. Bu,
for The war. the Whole public debt could
and would have been exlirguished within
a short period; and it was part of nv set
lied policy TO do SO, and thus relieve the
people from lis burden, and place The gov
|ernmen in position which would enable
il 10 reduce the public expenditures 10 thai
economical standard which is most consist
enl with the general welfare, aud the pure
and wholesome progress of our institutions
Among our just causes OF complaint a.
gainsl Mexico, arising out of her refusal to
IeaI for peace, as well before as since the
wal so unjuslly commenced on her part, arc
the extraordinary expenditures in which we
have been involved. Justice TO our own
people will make it proper hat Mexico
should be held responsible for these expeno
ditures
Economy in The public exper dilures is
al all limes high duty which all public
tuncionarles of the government owe 10 the
people. This duty becomes The more i'm
peraive in period of war, when large and
extraordinary expenditures become una.
voidable. During the existence of the war
with Mexico all our resources should be
hus5anded, and no appropriations made ex
cep' such as are absolutely necessary for
It's vigorous prosecution and the due admin
'siraIlon of The government. Objects of
appropriation, which in peace may be-
deemed useful or proper, but which are not
for the pnoic service, nav
when ibe country is engaged in foreign
war be well postponed TO a future period
by 'he observance of this policy al your
present session, large amounts may be sav,
ed to The treasury, and be applied to objects
OF pressing and urgen, necessity and thus
the creation of a corresponding amount of
public debt may be avoided
Ills not meant 10 recommend that The or,