The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1856-09-03
Presidents Message to Congress.

On the convening of Congress Presi-
dent PIERCE sent in the following message
to which we not only call the attention of
our readers, but ask for careful reading
That there is growing spirit of hostili-
ty to the peace of our country and to the
protection of the lives and property of our
people, is too evident to longer be doubt
ed by the most incredulous:
FsUoao- Citizens of the Senate and House
of Represeaatatices:-In consequence of
the failure of Congress, at its recent ses-
sion, to make provisions for the support of
the army, it became imperatively incum-
bent on me to exercise the power which
the Constitution cenfers On the Executive
for extraordinary occasions, to prompt-
ly convene the two Houses ir order to
afford them an opportunity of re-consid-
ering subject of such vital interest to
the peace and welfare of the Union.
With the exception of partial authority
vested by law in the Secretary Of War to
contract for a supply of clothing and sub
sistence, the army is wholly dependent
On the appropriations annually made by
Congress. The omission of Congress
to act in this respect before the ter
mination of the fiscal year, had already
caused embarrassments to the service, which
were overcome only in expectation of ap-
preparations before the close of the pres
ent month. If the requisite funds be not
speedily provided, the Executive viii no
longer be able to furnish the transporta-
tion, equipments and munitions which are
essential to the effectiveness Of a military
force in the field With no provision for
the pay of troops, the contract of enlist
in effect be disbanded, the consequence of
which would be SO disastrous as to de-
mand all possible efforts to avert the Ca
lamity.
1t is not merely that the officers and en-
listed men of the army are thus deprived
of the pay and emoluments to which they
are entitled by standing law, but the
construction of arms at the public arno
ries, the repair and construction of ord
nance at the arsenals, and the manu-
facture of military clothing and camp
equipage, must be discontinued, and the
persons connected with this branch of the
public service thus be deprived sud
denly of employment essential to their
subsistence; nor is it merely the waste con-
sequent on the forced abandonment of the
eo,hoord Contributions ond of +ba ;p+or;or
military posts and other establishments,
and the enormous expense of recruiting
and re-organizing the army, and again
distributing it over the vast regions which
it now occupies. These are evils which
may, it is true, be repaired hereafter, by
taxes imposed on the country.
But other evils are involved, which no
expenditures, however lavish, could RENE
dy, and in comparison with which local
and personal injuries or interests sink into
insignifcance.
A great part of the army is situated on
the remote frontier, or in the deserts and
mountains of the interior. To discharge
large bodies of men in such places, with
cut the means of regaining their homes,
and where few, if any, could obtain subsis-
tence by honest industry, would be to sub
ject them to suffering and temptation, with
disregard ofjustice and right most derog-
atory to the government.
In the Territories of Washington and
Oregon numerous bands of Indians are in
arms, and are waging war of extermina-
ton against the white inhabitants; and al
though our troops are actively carrying
on the campaign, we have no intelligence
as yet ola successful result. On the west
ern plains, notwithstanding the imposing
display of military force recently made
there, and the chastisement inflicted on