Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1847-04-07

the State OF Florida.
Approved February %, ls47.
From The Washington Union.
The Twenty-siM Congress.
The two sessions Of the first Congress
Governed under the present administration,
will form a memorable era in the history
of this country. During the period en-
braced by their legislative labors, three
large States have been admitted into our
Union, while two vast regions OF terrific
ry-the one bounded by the Gulf of Mex
leo and the Rio Grande, and sufficient to
form four or five more large States, and
the other on the Pacific coast, and out of
which three States of the largest size may
be carved-have been brought within the
reach and jurisdiction Of our laws. TIE
fame OF our arms, put forth in just and
necessary war, has been crowned with
three great victories, and has r,lng through
the whole civilized world. Our Diplo-
macy, within the last two years, has etIec-
ted what the laborous negotiation of more
than thirty years and eight preceding ad-
minis,rations had wholly failed 10 accom-
plish. The general sense of our country
and Of the world looks to our acquisition,
at no distant day, by treaty, Of the great
territorial expanse Of New Mexico and
California, which, with their command of
the commerce of The Pacific and all their
august and incalculable commercial and
territorial prospects, we already hold as
subdued in our undisputed military pos
session. The Foreign Relations of these
United States were never before in po-
sition so commanding and SO proud. His
tory will bear full and willing witness to
the dignity, the energy, and the wisdom
which have marked the course Of the ad-
ministration in this most important de.
partment Of our national policy. Had the
firm and prudent counsels Of our Presi-
dent been more promptly and more fully
seconded by Congress, and especially by
the Senate in the management Of the Ore
gon controversy, we might, in that great
transaction, have gained yet nobler advan-
tages. Bat, as it is, enough has been done,
all things considered, to form proud
epoch in our national annals.
In our domestic policy, the legislation Of
the twenty ninth Congress, in conformity
with Executive recommendations, has
placed our revenue system on basis OF
Justice and permanance; and in the organ
izaiion OF the constitutional treasury, has
invoked the aid and example of the gov
ernment to the establishment of a sound
currency, and TO the rescue Of the funds
of the government from the fluctuations and
the insecurity Of the banking system
Under this wholesome legislation, the Fed
eral Tax Law for protection, which was
enacted by the 9th Congress, is fast be-
coming, with all its odious expressions,
inequalities and restrictions what its
kindred measure Of a national bank, as at
tempted by the same Congress, has alrea-
dy become can obsolete idea"
These are great results. They 60 far
to give to the whole industry of the land
the only protection worth having--the pro-
lection of freedom. The new Tariff and
the Constitutional Treasury though it is
TO be regretted that the amendments to the
law establishing the latter, as recommen-
ded by the Executive, did not prevail
are measures which every days expert
ence is commenting more and more te the
people Already our revenue has felt in
no small degree the benefit of Tariff en-
acted honestly Tor revenue, in place Of a
Tariff enacted primarily for very differ.
ent purpose. The Federal 'panic" and
the cry of "repeai" which Mr.. Webster
sent forth on the last days of the preced-
ing session, and pledged himself to re-echo
on the first day of this last sessons-have
become ridiculous. The induetry of the
country springs with vigor and with hope
to its mul,iiorm avocations, in the cheer
ing confidence that the government has at
last given it system Of commercial regu-
latinn which may be relied on as perma-
nent, because it is established in harmony
with the Constitution, and because it has
its deep foundations in the enduring prin-
ciples of Justice. Had the present admin
isiration and the twenty ninth Congress
done nothing more than carry into effect
the great commercial reform which is
embodied in the existing Tariff, they would
have deserved signally well of the coun.
try and of mankind.
Among the measures ofthc session which
has Just closed, there are four which have
mainly concentrated upon themselves the
interest and the expectation OF the crun-
try. These measures are the Loan Bill,
the Army Bill, including the various pro-
visions for the more efficient military or
ganizalion of our forces; the additional
revenue bill. including the proper reeula-
ton Of tie price Of the public lands; and
lastly, the bill apprepria.ing three millions
to facilitate the conclusion of a satisfactory
peace with Mexico. |, is not too much
to say of each aud of all these measures
that the people looked TO their passage
with supreme interest. The very titles Of
these measures show how intimately they