Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-11-27


of.that body from this State. A day having
then been fixed for the adjournment of Com
gTess, and near at hand, did not exercise the
Constitutional power of the Executive. to /
appoints successor. The term, for which The
Honorable WILLIE P. MANGJsi, the other Sem
ator from North Carolina. was elected. will
expire on the 4th OF March next It will de-
volve on you, therefore. to fill both vacancies.
1t is, also, we'll worthy OF your considera-
ton, whether the existing arrangement of Dis
trcts for the election of Nj mbers to the House
of Representatives, is accommodated to the
public convenience, in uniting those of contig
uous Territory and similarity OF interests, or
accords with the fundamental principle of d
Republic, that maturity OF the People should
be allowed 10 elect their own Representative.
Since the last adjournment of the Legisla-
tine, such changes have been wrought in our
National Affairs, as TO require brief o5serva-
ton. The United States have become enga-
grd in War with heIghboring Republic.
weaker and inferior in all the elements OF Ma
tional greatness, bnt siill not a contemplate
foe. While We frrrently unite in the desire.
that our Country, in her intercourse with for
eign nations. s'Inay be always in the right"
and readily render our loyalty and duty to
it is alien to the character of Frermen, to for
bear enquiry into the necessity which demands
a resort to the last alternative of Nations, or
in'o the conduct of The agents by whom it has
been produced. BY an essential provision
of our Constitution, all questions Of War are.
in the first instance to he subjected to the
will of the Nation Itself which is to pay it's
costs and feel its calamities. That Mexico
had reinqnished her right to take umbrage al
the annexation Of Texas, by her conditional
recognition of the Independence Of that Re-
public, and the diplomatic intrignrs connect
| ed herewith; that the characteristic ohsiina-
cy of their race, and the evaporation Of feel
| inc from the loss of so valuable Territory,
might have ultimately led to War. may be
admitted. Our Congress-, however. careful
/ y endeavored to remove all cause of hostility
on such account, by acknowledging a uIspu-
Ted boundary between Texas and Mexicn. in
| the very act of Annexation. and giving as
fsnrance Of liberal terms in its adlnstment.-
In thus posture of affairs, without consultation
with Congress, though in Session, by authori-
ty of the Executive. as Military Commander
merely. our Army was made to take posses
sion Of the whole Territory in question. Re-
| slstance was Observation-Disclosures ensuPd,
and We are TINS involved in war on a point
of honor-the Constitutional Department, of
onr own government never having authorized
an appeal to force for the Country IN dispute.
nor defined any objects, for the attainment of
which. it should be waged. While our arms are
signaIlzed by victories worthy ofthe Nation :
rrnown, and the spirit of the people is ready to
uphold the honor of our flag at any sacrihce, II
still remains a momeni0nS question, under our
Institutions. whether Congress can be supersr
ded in the power 10 make War, and the authori-
ty given to the Executive, only to effectuate the
will Of the Legislature, can be used 10 deter
mine and settle the policy of the Country, in
matters Of boundary, any other.
But, with the War actually existing, and
demanding a vast rcrease in the Public ex-
penditure, the income of ;he Government is
put to hazard, by experiments upon the Re-
venue, Finances, and Currency. The pub
lie sentiment has long since decided. that the
Federal Government shall be maintained, in
time of peace at least, by duties on Foreign
Imports. 1t may be assumed TO have been
equally well settled in the practice of the ma
tinn, that IN making such Ipvies. dsrrimina-
tons might be allowed, in the selection OF
subjects Of R. venue, aud in the amounts I'm
posed, 20 give encouragement TO the produce
lions Of our own industry II is now hecIar
ed, that this practice has ALWAYS been mis-
chipvous error; and, in the midst Of the ext.
genc"s Of III" Treasury. Tariff Of duties
yielding $27,O00O0O per year. has been aban.
doned in IA or Of Theoretical system. not ex
pected to produce more. if as much, TO the
end that protection may be no longer recng.
niZod. in raising Revenue. We are, there
fore. prob bly, destined to witness d loss ir
the Revenue, brCuot about by change aim
inc at Revenue only. With appropriations
; exceeding Fifty Millions of Dollars per an
mum, and an income, less than Thirty Mil
lions, resort to higher duties, or Direc
> Taxation, must soon be inevitable. These
additional burhens are not likely TO be me-
loratpd, but will be felt with the more sever
ity, FROM another solemn Act of Congress a
the last session, ordinarily called the Sui
!. Treasury Law. BY this. it is required, tha
: from, aud after the lst day Of January next
whatever amount of exaction may be made ,
on the people by The Government, shall bt
= paid in Gold and Silver Coin only. or in 'rrea
sury Notes Of the United States. If this Law
is to be- evaded by the Officers. charged with
u it's execution, (as was said to have been III,
r Case in its former partial operaii"n,) It's pas
save was nnl trIflng With the public int Iii
gence. fit is to be tx4cnted in the rgor q
its conception. it will needlessly and mi>
chevonsIy add 10 III necessary bnrthens q
= the Government. With a prospect h. fore II
Of increased evies, to be paid only in tn
u precious metals, except when Treasury Notes
! the evidence OF the Governments indebted
e ness. can be procured in their stead. we en-
: not blu: welcome any demonstration Of pub
p" lie opinion, which promises change of cour
J sells.
= Ia a separate communication. the progress
: which has been made in completing the L.,
= ter Books of the earIey Governors, and col
: lecting Documents pertaining to our R~vou
, tlonary History, under the Resolution Of III
: last Session, " ill be detailed with further sue
J gestions thereon.
!, II is needless to do more than mention IN
- urgent necessity Of providing a suitable TT
: closure around the grounds of 'he Capitol.
, Having been legally notified ofthe dea,hs
y" Messrs. ROBERT MELVIN and Thomas
} HUTCHINSON. Senators elect tn the present Lit
l, glslaturp, and Of the designations Of Mes>r.
J. HAYNES RICHARDSON and JAMES X. LEI
IS Members elect to the House of Common.
= from the Counties of Arson and Ca>weil,
~ have issued Wrils of Election to fill the ST
d veral vacancies.
it The resignation Of Justices of the Peace
) received at this Office in the past two years
e will be found in the accompa nying file, mari
10 ed A.
~ l also transmit herewith. the Proceeding
IL of sundry State Legislatures. nprn variou
- Subjects. which have been requested to Ia
D hpfore the General Assembly