Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-12-11

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This dimnution is attributable 10 the re-
duclion in the rates of postages made by
the act of March Sd, 1851, which reduction
took effect al the commencement Of the las
fiscal year.
Although in lis operation during the las
year, the act referred to has not fulfilled the
prediction OF lis friends, by increasing the
correspondence of the country in proportion
10 The reduction of postage, | should never
theIess question the policy of returning tc
higher rates Experience warrants the ex.
pectation that as the community becomes
accustomed 10 cheap postage, correspond
ence will increase. Ii is believed that from
this canse, and from the rapid growth Of the
country in population and business, the re.
celp:s OF the Department must ultimately
exceed lis expenses, and that the country
may safely rely upon the continuance of the
present cheap rate Of postage.
In former messages | have, among other
things, respectfully recommended 10 the
consideration OF Congress the pIopriety and
necessity OF further legislation for the proiec-
ton aud punishment OF foreign consnls resi-
ding in the United States to revive with
certain notifications the act of 10Th March,
1888, 10 restrain unlawful military eXpeii
| tlons agains, the inhabitants or cnnlermlnous
States or territories for The preservation and
protection from mutilalion or theft Of the pa
! perS records and archives Of the nation: tor
authorizing the surplus revenue TO be applied
! to the payment OF the public debt, in adj
yaGCc oi the time when il will become due :
for the establishment Of land offices for the
sale Of the public lands in CllifOr mia and the
! territory Of Oregon: for the construction of IL
road tIum the Mississippi valley TO the Paci
&c ocean for The establishment, Of a bureau
! for agriculture for the promotion of that Ia
teres perhaps the most important, in the
country; for the prevention OF frauds upon
The Government IN application for pension
aud bonniy lands. Tor The establishment OF
uniform fee bill, prescribing n specific
compensation Tor every service required OF
clerks, district Utlomevs and marshalS
for authorizing an additional regiment of
mounted men, for the defence Of our frontier
against the Indians, aud for fulfilling onr
treaty sipHlations with Mexico 10 defend
her Cl'lZ'rs against the Indians "wilh equal
diligence and energy as our own" for deter
mining the relative rank between the naval
and civil officers in our public ship, and be-
tween the officers OF the Army and Navy
in the various grades of each ; for r..orgdn-
ling the naval establishment by fixing the
number of officers in each grade. and pro-
ylIlug for retired list upon reduced pay Of
those unlil for active duty for prescribing
and regulating puuishmenls in the navy; for
the appointment Of Il commission TO revise
the public statues Of the United States, by
arranging them in order supplying defcieu-
cies, correcting incOnglui'ies, simplifying
their language, and reporting them 10 Con-
gress for It's final action, and for the estab-
lishment OF a commission 10 adjudicate and
settle private claims against the United
States.
omn aware however, that any Of these subjects have
been finally acted upon By Congress Without repeating
the u legislation these subjects which have
been assigned IN former messages respectfully
mend them again to your favorable consideration,
think it due the several Executive Departments #
this Government t. bear testimony TO the efficiency and
integrity with which they are conducted with all The
careful slpelntendcucc which it is possible for the Heads
"f those Departments to exercise still the due admnisa-
ton and guardianship Ci The public money must very nnch
dc,end the vigilance, intelligence uid fidelity If the
subordinate officers and cerNs and es4rcu, On ihGse
trusted with the settlement and adjustment OF claims and
accounts. am gratiGcd to believe that they have gencr-
ally peri rmed HER duits faithfully anu well hey are
Hppunc Ia guard the nNprn0ccs t. the public Treasury
AMI they occupy positions that them - all the temp
t1tiuIs aud ssducus which the cupilyoi pecuaprs aud
fraudulent claimants prompt them tn employ II vii!
be but wise precautun to protect the Government against
that source OF mischief and corrupt far be
dpHc by the enactment of all proper lcgrl penalties. The
laws i'll thus respect, supposed 10 be Detective and
therefore deem my duty to call your attention to the sub
ecr, and t. recommend that provision be made by law for
the Punishment only of those who shall accept brJeS
but also e." tn Sc who shall either lns, give or offer To
I
touching relating TO any matter oi their Official action
/ duy.
Ii has been the uniform Icy Of this Gpyernmct from
its foundation t. the present day, t. abstain from NIL
ference in the domestic oiis If other nations The con-
sequence has been that while the o'ins Of Europe have
bccn engage ~ des 'htS wars, cur entity has pursued
its peaceful course to uneXunpo prosperity and happi
ness. The wars in which wc have been compelled
gage IN defence ui the rights and honor Of the county,
have bccu Fortunately ui short duration
During the terrific c.n,ts. Of nation against nlun which
succeeded the French rev nion, we were enabled by the
vision and hrmness Of President Washington mlIntain
our neutrality While other ha'ns were drawn into this
wide sweeping whirlpool we 81, quiet aud unIuvei upon
our own sl Willie ihe d1wcr uf their numerous ar
mics wasted by disease persisted by hunlrcds
thousands uoll the battlefield the youth Of this favor ed
land we've permitted to en y the blessings Of peace beneath
! the patcrra roof.
While the states Of Europe incurred enormous debts
nudcr the burden # which their subjects still gTau and
which must abs NIB small part of the product II tie hon.
est industry Of hose countries for generations to come, the
United States have becu enabled n exhibit the proud
spectacle OF nation free iron public drt aud permit
ted to pursue our prosperous way Tor few years longer
in peace. mny do the again
But it is now siid by slne that this policy must be
chngrd Europe is no longer separated from 10y yoy-
az" of months bat steam navigation rs brought her with
IA few dvS' s1il Of shores We see m re of her
N pyemcms, und take deeper her cOu,py
Although one proposes that s uid join in the ira
iery nf Dtcniaes who have for n,es InvsrJ tl IoI
and treasure their subjects in maintaining ihc balance
Of plwer.m yet It l. sud that ought iuerirc be-
tween comtcndmg soytregns and their subjects for the
purpose Of uyerihiowUg tie mrWcAiCs u Europe, and
establishing is their place republican institutions II ul-
legged that we have heretofore pursued different
lTll sense ' our NtahIl-ss b't lii n Nv our lst
strength dictates change ui policy, and that It IS se-
queny orr duty 10 mingle IN these contests and aid those
who are struggling for liberty.
Thls Is m ST seductive but dangerous appeal Ia the
generous sympathies of trermrN. Enjoying do the
blessings OF free government, there is WIN has
an American heart TINT WUulnu rejoice % these bus
sings extended all other natlns We cuunlt witness
the struggle between the oppressed an his oppress any
where without the deepest sympathy fr the louHcr, and
the 81 unNl nus desc for his triumph. Nevertheless,
prudent is 1t wise to involve ourselves ia these for
egu wars Is it indeed true that have her, tlurc
Trained from dong so merely from the degrading motive
of conscious weakness For the honor of the patriots
VITO have gone be ore us, cannot admit it. Men Of the
Revolution who drew the ugainst the expressions
Of the mother country, aud pledged Heaven theT lives
the fortunes aid their sacred huurs,h maintain their
n, could never have been acted by unworthy
mniive They knew no weakness or fear where right
or duty pointed the way, and il libel upon their fame
for us, while enjoy the blessings f)r which they no.
bly, fought and bled, to insnuate IT,
The truth is, that the course which they pursued was
dictated by stern of International justice, hy
satesmanke prudence and far seeing wisdom, looking
not merely the present necessities, but tn the pemocn
safety and interest of the country. They knew that the
world is governed less by sympathy than by reason aud
orce that it not possible for this nation IN become
propagnndistn OF free principles without aaying ngnlus
it the combined powers of Europe; and that the result Wal
more likely be the overthrow of republican liberty here
than its establishment there. History has been written il
vain for those who doubt ths. France Ind no sonne
established republican form Of government than she mn
infested desire To force its blessings MI the world He
own historian informs that hearing Of souir petty act
OF tyranny in neighboIng principuity "Ihe Natona
Convention declared that she would afford succol aC
fraternity to all nations who wished 10 recover their lber
ty and she gave II IN charge to the executive pnwer q
give orders the generals of the French armies To aid al
citizens who might have been, or should he oppressed Il