The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1862-01-09
Governors Message.

Hoase OF Representatives
Az the time Of the adjournment of
the Extra Session, in May last it was
hardly contemplated that it would be
found indispensable to call the Legisa-
turs together again within the year.
! The Southern Rebellion, just then in
itiated by the formal secession OF sew
eral States, and the seizure of Fort
Sumter by military power, had not yet
assumed the gigantic proportions which
it now wears. 1t found the loyal States
in profound repose, diligently engaged
in the cultivation of arts and humani.
ties which belong to peace, but wholly
unused to war. They had long accus-
toned themselves to believe that under
our form of government every dispute
that could arise would be peacefully
settled by the verdict of tho ballot box,
and when they preceived that a consid-
cradle number of States preferred the
barbarism of war, and had deliberately
appealed to the sword, they were very
lily prepared to meet that appeal. OF
men, loyal, hardy, patriotic men, there
were enough, and much more than
enough; but of the knowledge of war,
aud of supplies of arms and munitions,
there was a sad lack everywhere.
Michigan, with more than hundred
thousand fighting men, had arms for
hardly more than thousand, and for
military organization, she had next to
none at all. The ordinary courses OF
trade and business had been rudely and
almost instantaneously broken up,
and new ones had to be sought out.
Doubt and distrust were everywhere.
In the midst of these conditions we
started out to explore the new paths
which were to be trodden hereafter.
We were now to learn war; to create
armies; arm and eqnip them for the
field and send them forth to fight those
against whom they had done no wrong
and had never intended any, and who
were bound by obligations the most
solemn to keep peace towards them.
The ordinary machinery of government
has been found inadequate to meet the
exigencies Of our present rapidly
changing affairs, and frequent resort
to the Legislative power is rendered i'm
peratiye. Nor ought this to be regard
ed as at all arrange. 1t is only in the
| light of events themselves that their
logic is clear, and human forecast can
not always be relied upon to meet the
demands of the future. Especially is
this true of times like the present. Our
good Ship of State is driven before a
furious gale, and the best navigator can
hardly tell what of disaster the next
wave may bring. 1t is the duty of
every one on board, wisely, prudently,
and bravely to stand always at his post.
Michigan has endeavored to meet this
responsibility faithfully-even enthusi-
astically. Whatever sacrifice has been
required of her, she has at once pre-
pared herself to make. Both by her
gallant soldiers in the field and her pat
riotic citizens at home, she has prompt
ly obeyed every call made by the Fed
eral Government upon her, and dare
promise that she will not fail in this re-
spect hereafter.
The Congress of the United States,
in consequence of the unusual magni
tude of the demand upon the Treasury,
caused by the war, has been compelled
to resort to heavy loans, and is rapidly
creating large public debt, for the pay
ment of the interest upon which it was
necessary that the new sources of reve-
nue. should be found. For this purpose
an act was passed on the 5th day of
August last, entitled An act to pro-
vide increased revenue from imports, to
pay interest on the public debt, and for
other purposes" BY section of that
act it is provided "that a direct tax of
twenty millions be and is hereby an
nually laid upon the United States, and
the same shall be and is hereby appor-
toned to the States respectively, in
manner following: To the State of
Michigan, five hundred and one thous-
and seven hundred and sixty-three and
one-third dollars.'" The act then goes
on to authorize the President of the
United States to divide the States and
Territories into convenient collection
districts, and to appoint an assessor and
collector for each district, and that
each assessor may divide his district
and appoint assistants. In section l3
of this act, it is further enacted "that
the said direct tax be assessed and laid
on the value of all lands and lots of
ground, with their improvements and
dwelling houses" with certain unim-
portant exemptions. 1t will be Oh.
served that this law introduces to us
the United States assessor and tax
gatherer, individuals hitherto unknown
to us, and whose acquaintance l think
we are not DESTROYS of making. The
collector comes, also, with new rule
of taxation. He is to assess only the
value of all lands and lots of ground.
with their improvements and dwelling
houses. The personal property is to
escape altogether, if this rule is fol-
lowed, and it seems that the cOnstitu.
ton Of the United States will permit no
other rule to be adopted in case the tax
is assessed aud collected by the Federal
Government. Section So, however,
enacts "that any State or Territory
may lawfully assume to assess, collect
and pay into the Treasury of the United
States the direct tax, or its quota there
of, in its own way and manner, and by.