Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-12-14
Congress.

In Richmond on MONDAY last. Both bO-
dies jumped at once into the great work
before them-the business Of doing some
their first and earnest attention. We
give the following full
Synopsis Of the Presidents Message
The President rapidly reviews events
OF the past year, and says that whilst
our successes have not equalled our ex
pectationS, we have checked the enemy
everywhere in his advances.
Our relations with foreign nations is
discussed at considerable length. The
President regrets that there has been no
improvement since his last message in
January, and says the conduct of Euro
pean nations IS less impartial and in
some cases has assumed the character Of
positively uniriendlyneSs. Our Commis.
sloners were sent abroad for the purpose
OF entering into negotiations proper to 6x
the relative rights and obligations be-
tween the Confederate and United States
under treaties entered into with foreign
powers prior to the separation which
has taken place, but this tender on our
part was declined. Hence, as we have
been refused the benefits of these trea-
ties, they certainly have ceased to be
binding, and in the opinion of the Pres
ldent our relations with European pow
ers are now controlled exclusively by
the general rules OF he law of nations.
Legislation upon the subject of finance
. is earnestly recommended. Although
the magnitude and duration of the war
was not at first anticipated, still the re-
sources OF the country az 80 ample and
the spirit OF the people so devoted to the
cause, that relief IS within our reach
The financial policy of the Government
since its formation is discussed. aad the
President contends that whilst the pro-
vision Of the Permanent Constitution in
regard to direct taxation cannst be car
ried into effect in the mode pointed out,
1t is plain that the duty OF Congress is to
execute the general intent of the Consti-
tuition by making the tax uniform
throughout the country: These consid-
e%rationS are greatly enforced by the re-
hectlon hat an attempt to apportion the
taxes amongst the States, Some of which
are wholly or partially in tue occupation
Of the enemy, would subvert the whole
intention OF the trainers of the Constitu-
ton and be productive Of most revolving
injustice, instead of that just correlation
between taXatien and representation
whlch was their purpose to secure
with large portions Of some Of the States
occupied by the enemy, what Justice
would there be in imposing on the re-
nalnder tie whAie amount Of taxation of
the entire StgfH WhatSfAe would this
be IN etie~A ntcrg rrhardan Of
the Var, and make our W. Inability to
protect them from invasion, &S we are
required 10 do by toe Constitution, the
ground tpr adding to their losses by an
attcmp& adherence to the latter, in
violation OF the spirit Of that instrument.
No such purpose could have been enter
tanned aid no such re. ult was contem-
plated by the trainers Of the CQnstitu-
ton. We may add weight to those. con-
siderations if we reflect that although
the Constitution provided that it should
go into operation with a representation
temporarily distributed among the States,
it expressly ordains that after providing
for a census within three years after this
temporary distribution the representa-
tive power is to end until such enumer-
alton shall be made. Would any one
argue that because The cgnsus caunot be
made within the fixed period, the gov.
eminent, at he expiration Of that peri
cd, shall perish for the want OF a repre-
sentative body
In any aspest in which the subject cat
be viewed, / am led to the conclusion al.
ready announced, and which is under
stood to be in accordance with the vote
taken in one or both Houses at the las
session. | shall, therefore, until we ar
able To pursue the precise mode rcQuir
ed by the Constitution, deem it my dut,
to approve any law levying taxation
which you are bound to impose in de
fence OF the country, iii any other prac
ticab,e mode which shall distribute Tia
burthen uniformly and lmpartially on tn
whole property OF the people. In you
former legislation you have sought
avoid an Increase OF the volume of note
in circulation, offering inducements &c
voluntary funding, and measures WEI
adopted for that purpose, but proved or
ly partially successful, and the evil ha
now reached such a magnitude as I
permit no other remedy than a compu
sorry reduction OF the currency to til
amount required by the business of tn
country. This reduction should be al
companicd by a pledge that under 4
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