The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-12-22


other articles Of our production have been
diminished in nearly the same proper
tion.
! l regret to state that the Government
of Brazil still continues to levy an export
duty of about l per cent on coffee, not
withstandng this article is admitted free
of duty in the United States. This is q
heavy charge upon the consumers of coffee
in our country, as we purchase half of the
entire surplus crop fthat article in Brazil
i Our Minister under instructions will re-
iterate his efforts to have this export duty
removed, and it is hoped that the en-
frightened government Of the Emperor will
adopt this wise, just and equal policy
In that event the commerce between the
two countries will increase, much to our
advantage.
The claims Of our citizens against the
Government of Brazil are not, in the ag-
gregate, of very large amount; but some
of these rest upon plain principles of JUS
tice, and their settlement ought not to be
longer delayed. A renewed aud earnest,
and, trust successful effort, will be
made by our Minister to procure their fna
adjustment.
/ On the Cd of June last, Congress pas
sed joint resolution, authorizing the
President t'to adopt such measures and
use such force as, in his judgement. may
be necessary and advisable, :" for the pur-
pose of adjusting the difference between
the United States and the republic of Par
aguay, in connection with the attack on
the United States steamer Water Witch,
and with other measures referred to in his
annual message. And on the 18th of July
following, they made an appropriation to
defray the expenses and compensations OF
a commissioner to that republic, should
the President deem it proper 10 make
such an appointment. J--z et,.
In compliance with these enactmen,s,
have appointed a Commissioner, who has
proceeded to Paraguay, with full powers
aud instructions to settle these differences
in an amicable and peaceful manner, il
: this be practicable. His experience and
discretion justify the hope that he may
prove successful in convincing the Para
guayan Government that it is due both to
honor and justice that they should volun-
tarily and promptly make atonement fol
the wrongs which they have committed
; against the United States, and indemnify
: our injured citizens whom they have for.
chilly despoiled of their property.
Should our Commissioner prove unsuc'
cessful, after sincere and earnest effor,
: to accomplish the object of his mission
then no alternative will remain but en-
s ployment of force to obtain 'just salts
i faction" from Paraguay. In view of thi.
d contingency, the Secretary of the Navy
e under my direction, has fitted out anG
g dispatched naval force rendezvous Zeal
0 Buenos Ayres, which, it is believed, viii
I prove sufficient for the occasion. 1t j.
: my earnest desire, however, that it may
e not be found necessary to resort to thi'
g last alternative. s1s.
t When Congress met in December last
8 the business of the country had just beer
e crushed by one of those periodical reyul
S sons which are the inevitable conse
a quences of our unsouEd and extravagan
: system of bank credits and inflated cur
rency. With all the elements of nationa
i wealth in abundance, our manufacture
were suspended, our useful public an,
= private enterprises were arrested, an,
S thousands of laberers were deprived o
y employment and reduced to want. Uni
) versal distress prevailed among the com
If mercial, manufacturing and mechanica
e classes. This revulsion was felt the NOR
T severely in the United States because simi
s lar causes had produced the like deplorabl
! effects throughout the commercial nation
: of Europe All were experiencing asal
treverses at the same moment. Our man
o ufacturers everywhere suffered severely
! not because of the recent reduction il
: the tariff of duties on imports, but be
e cause there was no demand at any pric
y for their productions. The people wer
:, obliged to restrict themselves in their pur
r chases to articles Of prime necessity.
! In the general prostration Of business
8 the iron manufacturers in different State
e probably suffered more than any othe
If class, and much destitution was the inev
e liable consequence, among the great uum
: ber of workmen who had been employed
If in this useful branch of our industy.--
o There could be no supply where there wa
d no demand.
:, S To present an example; there could b.
j. no demand for railroad iron, after ou
d magnificent system of railroads, extendin.
a its benefits to every porto of the Union
'r had been brought to dead pause. Th
]. same consequences have resulted fron
l. similar causes to many other branches {
d useful manufactures. It is self-eviden
that where there is no ability to purchas
is manufactured articles, these cannot b
le sold, and consequently must cease to b
s. produced.
'e No government, and especially gov
l. ernment of such limited powers as that {
is the United States, could have prevente
3 the late revulsioh. The whole CONNER
'e cial world seemed for years. to have bee