The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-12-07

-
WIN Feru. Notwithstanding the inexhausti
Die deposits of guano upon the islands of that
country, considerable difficulties are expe-
rienced In obtaining the requisite supply
pleasures have been taken to remove these
difiiculties, and to secure more abundant
importation of the article unfortunately,
there has been serious collision between
our cltizens, who have resorted to the Chin
cha islands for it, and the Peruvian authori-
ties stationed there. Redress for the out
RACES, committed by the latter, was promptly
demanded by our minister at Lima. This
SUBJECT is now under consideration and there
Is reason to believe that Peru is disposed to
offer adequate indemnity to the aggrieyed
parties.
we are thus not only at peace with all
foreign countries, but, in regard to political
affairs, are exempt from any cause of serious
disquietude in our domestic relations.
Ihe controversies, which have agitated the
country heretofore, are passing away with the
causes which produced them and the passions
which they. had awakened; or, if any trace of
mem remains, 1t may be reasonably hoped
tnat IL VIII only be perceived in the Jealous
rvairy OF all good citizens to testify their re-
sspect for the rights Of the States, their devo-
uon to the Union, and their common deter
mlnatIon that each one of the States, its iusti
tutlons, its welfare, and its domestic peace
shall be held alike secure under the sacred
$gls of the constitution
Ihls new league of amity and of mutual
confidence and support, into which the people
OF the republic have entered, happily affords
inoucement and opportunity for the adoption
OF more comprehensive and unembarrassed
hne OF policy and action, as to the great ma
terisi interests of the country, whether re-
garoed IN themselves or in connection with
the powers of the civilized world.
The United States have continued gradual
y ana steadily to expand, through acquisi-
tons OF territory, which, how much soever
some of them may have been questioned are
now universally seen and admitted to have
Deen wise in policy, just in character, and
great element IN the advancement of our
country, and, with it, of the human race. in
freedom, In prosperity, and in happiness
Inc thirteen States have grown to be thirty
one, with relations reaching to Europe on the
one side, and on the other to the distant
realms of Asia.
am deeply sensible of the immense re-
sponslbility which the present magnitude OF
the republic, and the diversity and multiplici-
~ OF us interests, devOlves upon me- the al
deviation of which, so far as relates to the i'm
mediate conduct of the public business is,
nrst, IN my reliance on the wisdom and pa
tf1otlsm ofthe two Houses of Congress; and,
secondly, in the directions afforded me by
the principles of public polity, affirmed by
our fathers OF the epoch of 179S, sanctioned
by long experience, and consecrated anew by
the overwhelming voice of the people of the
United States.
Recurring to these principles, which con
stitute the organic basis of union. we perceive
that, vast as are the functions and the duties
OF the federal government, vested IN, or en-.
trusted to, its three great departments, the Ie-
glsiative, executive, and judicial, yet the sub
stantive power. the popular force and the
large capacities for social and material de-
Velopment, exist in the respective States
which, all being of themselves well constitu
ted republics, as they preceded, SO they alone
are capable of maintaining and perpetuating,
the American Union. The federal govern
ment has its appropriate line of action in the
specific and limited powers conferred on it by
thu constitution, chiefly as to those things in
which the States have common interest in
their relations to one another, and to foreign
governments; while the great mass of inte-
rests which belong TO cultivated men, the or
dinary business of life, the springs of indus
try, all the diversified, personal and domestic
affairs of society, rest securely upon the ge-
neral reserved powers of the people of the
several States. There Is the effective demo
cracy OF the nation, and there the vital es-
sence of its being and its greatness
Of the practical consequences which flow
from the nature of the federal government,
the primary one is the duty of administering
with integrity and fidelity, the high trust re-
posed in it by the constitution, especially in
the application Of the public funds, as drawn
bytaxatiOn from the people, and appropriated
to specific objects by Congress. Happily [
have no occasion to suggest any radical
changes in the financial policy ofthe govern
ment Ours is almost. ifnet absolutely, the sol
itary power of Christendom, having surplus
revenue, drawn Immediately from imposts
on commerce, and therefore measured by the
spontaneous enterprise and national prosper
ity of the country, with such indirect relation
to agriculture, manufactures, and the pro-
ducts of the earth and sea, as to violate no
constitutional doctrine, and yet vigorously
promote the general welfare. Neither as to
the sources of the public treasure, nor as to
the manner of keeping and managing it,
does any grave controversy now prevail,
there being general aequiescence in the
wisdom of the present system
The report Ofthe Secretary ofthe Treasury
will exhibit, in detail, the state of the public
finances, and the condition of the various
branches of The public service administered
by that department of the government
The revenue of the country, levied almost
inSensibly to the taxpayer, goes On from year
20 year increasing beyond either the interests
or the prospective wants of the govern
ment
At the close OF the fiscal year ending June
30 1882 there remained III the treasury q
balance of fourteen million six hundred and
thirty two thousand one hundred and thirty
six dollars The public revenue for the fiscal
year ending June SO. 1858. amounted to fifty
eight million nine hundred and thirty one
thousand eight hundred and sixty-fve dol
lars from customs, and to two million four
hundred and FIVE thousand seven hundred
and eight dollars from public lands and other
miscellaneous sources, amounting together to
sixty one million three hundred and thirty
seven thousand FIVE hundred and seventy four
dollars while the public expenditures for the
same period, exclusive of payments on ac-
count of the public debt amounted TO forty
three million five hundred and fifty four thou
sand two hundred and sixty-two dollars; leav-
ing balance of thirty two million four hun
dred and twenty five thousand four hundred
and forty-seven dollars of receipts above ex-
penditures.
This fact. OF increasing surplus III the treasury,
became the subject OF anxious consideration at a
very early period OF my administration, and the
path of duty in regard to it, seemed TO me obvious
and clear, namely: frs to apply the surplus reve-
nue. to the discharge OF the public debt far
could judiciousy be done; aud, secondly, TO devise
means for the gradual reduction of the revenue
to the standard OF the public exigeneies.
OF these objects, the first has been IN the course
highly satisfactory. The amount of the public dent.
NJ all elaasac uaa ma the fnurtf of March TgE9