The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1854-12-12

ster proposed in his negotiations with the
British Minister to give that town recognition,
and place it under the conjoint protection of
Great Britain and the United States. And if
even a portion of the people of Greytown had
been guilty Of the practices imputed, the bonn
bardment WAS not in retaliatiod for these en-
cesses, but for the heindguitics offered to Mr..
Solon Boorand; for if apology had been made
for these, no bombardnent would have taken
place. 1t is not consonant with the usages oi
modern nations to involve the innocent with
the guilty.in punishment due, if due at all, TO
the obstinacy of the authorities, not to speak
Of the disproportion between the penalty, and
the offence. The palliation is extremely la
bored, and not successfully so, in the Message
The view presented ofthe national finances
is highly fattering as to the past and auspl-
cious as to the future. The excess of revenue
over expenditure during the last fiscal year,
was S32,531 ,456, and the excess of the cur
rent year is expected to be at least Sl5 ,Ooo,.
900, while s24, 1886, $50 of the public debt has
been redecmed--leaving The amount of that
debt only s44,975,45e. Under these eircum-
stances, the President very properly recon-
mends reduction of the duties on imports,
and revision of the Tariff.
A reorganization Of the army and its increase
are strongly recommended, as measures i'm
peratively demanded by the extension of our
frontier settlements, and for the.protection OF
the settlers. The increase of the pay of the
officers and retired list are among the sug'
gestions in this part ofihc Message, which are
dictated by humane considerations and en-
lightened patriotism.
The gradual augmentation of the navy and
its. improvement fall properly within this d.
vision of The Message. Its extension as our
commerce is diffused among the suggestions
that belong to provdent future, but ought
not wider view be taken Of this subject, in ref
erence to national security?. We would have
as the measure of that increase not only the
protection of our extended trade, but as an ele-
ment of power on the sea, looking to the future
and to a nearer equality than now exists be.
tween our maritime strength and that of foreign
nations.
The amendment of the law in relation to the
greater security OIL life on the ocean, is necessa-
rily forced on the attention Of the Chief Magis-
trate of the Union, from the number of disas-
terS wltulu lue pasG year, "uil0 u VIII pe W
the eternal disgrace Of Congress ifit does not
endeavor to provide better safeguards, as the
subject is exclusively within its cognizance.
The excess ofexpenditures over the revenues
of the Post Offices is alluded to, but with no
recommendation of any remedy. But we can.
not comprehend in what manner its income
can be made to correspond with its increased
outlays when the boundaries Of the republic
are extending and the public are clamorous for
a reduction in the rates Of postage.
The Land system next engages the atten.
ton of the Message and nearly closes its varied
topics. The views ofthe President on this sub
iect are we think both economically and con-
stitutionaly sound. The grants ofland for the
construction of rail roads in the West are not
only unequal and unjust to the Atlantic States
but open sphere for speculation which as the
President observes gives dclusive stimulus to
enterprise.
1t may excite surprise that no mention is
made of the terrible conflict going on in East
ern Europe. But the omission is in our opin,
ion highly judcious. 1t would have been diff:
ficult to have made alusion to it without the
expression of bias, and abstinence from all
reference to it was eminently wise and consid-
rate Charleston Evening NcDs.