The true Democrat., 1856-12-16

to the SalutaTy operation or the OrgaulC pTlncl- ples adopted, and the chief cause of the suc- l cessive disturbances of Kansas. The assump- ton that, because in the organization of the Territories of Nebaska and Kansas, Congress abstained from imposing the restraints upon them to which certain other Territories had been subject, therefore disorders occurred in the latter Territory, is emphaticaly contradicted by the fact that none have occurred in the former. Those disorders were not the consequence in Kansas, of the freedom of self-government con- ceded to that Territory by Congress, but of un- just interference on the part of persons not in- habitants of the Territory. Such interference, wherever it has existed itself, by acts of insur- rectionary character or of obstruction to pro- cesses of law, has been repeled or suppressed by all the means which the constitution and the laws place in the hands of the Executive
 In those parts of the United States where, by reason of the infamed state of the public mind false rumors and misrepresentatons have the greatest currency. it has been assumed that it was the duty of the Executive not only to sup press nsurrectonary movements in Kansas, but also to see to the regularity of local elections It needs little argument to show that the Pre- sident has no such power. All government in the United States rests substantially on popu- lar elections. The freedom of elections is liable to be impaired by the intrusion of unlawful ! votes, or the exclusion of lawful ones, by inn proper influences, by violence or by fraud But the people of the United States are them selves the all-sufficient guardians of their own | rights, and to suppose that they will not reme- dy, in due season, any such incidents of civil freedom, is to suppose them to have ceased to be capable of self-government. The President of the United States has not power to interpose in elections, to see to their freedom, to canvass their votes, or to pass upon their legality in the Territories any more than in the States. If he had such power the government migh. be re- publican in form, but it would be a monarchy in fact; and if he had undertaken to exercise it in the case of Kansas, he would have been just ly subject to the charge of usurpaton, and of violation of the dearest rights of the people of the United States.
 Unwise laws, equally with irregularities at l elections, are, in periods of great excitement, the occasional incidents of even the freest and best political institutions. But all experience demonstrates that in a country like ours, where the right of set-consttutlon exists in the com- pietest form, the attempt to remedy unwise legislation by resort to revoution is totally out of place: lnasmuch as existing legal institutions afford more prompt and efficacious means for the | redress of wrong
 l confidently trust that now, when the peace ful condition of Kansas affords opportunity for calm reflection and wise legislation, either the legislative assembly of the Territory, or Con- gress, will see that no act shall remain on it's statute book vlolative of the provisions of the Constitution, or subvcrsive of the great objects for which that was ordained and established and will take all other necessary steps to assure to Its inhabitants the enjoyment, without ob- struction or abridgment, of all the consttu- r,y,f zens of the United States contemplated by the organic law of the Territory.
 Full information in relation 10 recent events
 in this Territory will be found in the documents communicated herewith from the Department of State and War.
 refer you to the report of the Secretary of the Treasury for particular information con- cernlng the financial condition of the goverll- ment and the various branches of the public service connected with the Treasury Depart ment
 During the last fiscal year the rece pts from customs were, for the first time, more than six ty four million dollars, and from all sources, scventy-three million, nine hundred and egh- teen thousand, one hundred and forty-one dol. lars; which, with the balance on hand up to the lot of July, 1855, made the total resources of the year amount tn ninety-two million eight hundred and fifty thousand, one hundred and seventeen dollars. The expenditures, nclud- ing three million dollars in the execution of the treaty with Mexico, and including sums paid on account of the public debt, amounted to six ty million, one hundred and seventv-two thou san'i, four hundred and one dollars; and nclud- Ing tbe latter, to seventy-two million, nine hun dred and forty eight thousand seven hundred and nnety-two dollars, the payment on this account having amounted to twelve million, seven hundred and seyenty-s thousand three hundred and ninety dollars
 On the 4lh of March, 1858, the amount of the public debt was sixty nine million, one hundred and twenty nine thousand, nine hun- dred and thirty-seven dollars. There was a subsequent increase of two million, seven hun dred and fifty thousand dollars for the debt of Texas--making a total of seventy -one million, eight hundred and seventy-nine thousand. nine hundred aud thirty seven dollars. Of this, the sum of forty y-iiye million, ve hundred and twenty-five thousand, three hundred aud nine- teen dollars, including premium, has been dis charged, reducing the debt to thirty million, seven hundred and thrty-seven thousand, one hundred and twenty-nne dollars; all which might be paid within year without em mbarrass. Ing the public service, but being not yet due, and only redcemable at the option of the hol- der, cannot be pressed to payment by the gov ernment.
 On examining the expenditures of the last hve years, It will be seen that the average, de- ductlng payments on account of the public de- but, and ten millions paid by treaty to Mexico. has been but about forty eight million dollars. It IS believed that, under an economical admin lstration Of the government, the average expen- diture for the ensuing year will not evceed that sum, unless extraordinary occasion for its in- crease should occur The acts granting bounty lands will soon have been executed, while the extension of our frontier settlements will cause continued demand for lands and augmented receipts, probably, from that source These considerations will justify reduction of the revenue from customs, so as not to exceed for ty eight or fifty million dollars. 1 think the exisency of such reduction Is imperative, and again urge it upon the consideration of Con- gress.
 The amount of reduction, as we'll as the man. ner of etiecting it, are questions of great and general interest; 1t being essential to indus trla! enterprise and the public prosperity, as well as tue dictate of obvious justice, that the burden of taxation be made to rest as equally as possible upon all classes and all sections and Interests of the country.
 have heretofore recommended to your con- sheraton the revision of the revenue laws pre- pared under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury, and also legislation upon some special questions affecting the business of that department more especially the enactment ofa law to punish the abstraction of official books and papers, and all other public property, to be turned over by the outgoing officer to his sue cessor; of a law requiring disbursing officers to deposit all public money in the vaults of the treasury or in other legal Repositories, where the same are conveniently accessible; and a law to extend existing penal provisions to all per. sons who may become possessed of public money by default or otherwise, and who shall refuse or neglect, on due demand, to pay the sa'ue into the Treasury. I invite your atten- ton anew to each of these subjects.
 The army during the past year has been SO constantly employed against hostile Indians in