Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-12-10
8YNOpeIs OF TIE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
RICENoND, VA, Dec. 9Th, l86

8YNOPeIs OF TIE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
RICHMOND VA, Dec. 9Th, 1868.
The Presid rapidly reviews the events OF the past
pectaons have checked the enemy everywhere In hs
advance. 49, ,,.,
considerable en 9Th The President regrets there has been
TO improvement since his OF January last ard
hat the conduct European nations is less impartial and
in some cases has assumed positively unfrend
g. Commissioners sent abroad for the purpose OF
and Of the and under trea
ties entered into with foreign nations prior to the separa
been declined. Hence, have been refused the bene
fit those treaties, they certainly have ceased to be
sth European Nations controlled exclusively by
the general rules of the law of natons:
Leglaon upon the subject OF our finances ID earnestly
Although the magnitude and duration Of the war was not
first anticipated still the resources of the country are so
ample and the spirit of the people de7oted to it's cause
that relief is within reach.
The financial policy of the Government since It's forma
ton dis used and the President contends that whilst
direct taxation cannot be carried into effect by the mode
pointed OUT plain that the duty OF Congress to
cute the geneEal intent 81 ne 10y mixing Tue
These considerations are greatly enforced by the rehec
Of which wholly or partially in the occupation OF
hostile forces would subVert the whole intention OF the
evotipg riutce nsIead of that Just correlation between
taxation representation which WAS their purpose to
secure With large potion OF some ofhe States occupied
by the enemy, what Justice would there be in imposing
the remainder the whoo amount OF taxation OF the entire
h be IN eff ct the burden of those who
the heaviest by the and make inability
protect them invasion, ere required TO do by
the Ccpgttuon the ground adding TO their losses BY
an attempted adherence to the letter in violation OF the
spirit of that instrument. No such purpose could have
been entertained such result contemplated by the
trainers of the Constitution 1t may add weight to these
considerations if reflect that, although the Consultation
rr,yded that it hond 60 operation with represe,
ation temporarily distributed among the States it express
ordans after providing for census within three years
that this temporary distribution Of representative is
to endure until such enumeration shall be made: Would
fixed period Government must at the expiration of that
period perish Tor want of Representative bo7y In
already announced, end which is understood to
accordance with the vote in or both houses
at the last session SHALL therefore, until able to
pusae the precise mode required by the Constitution,
deem it my duty approve Of any law evyiDg taxation
country, in any other practicable mode which shall dis
buftcn uniformly and impartay the whole
In your former legislation you have sought avoid tha
to T vnnntaTv FUndinr Mensn'es' adontnS fr
that purpose have been but partially successful and the evil
has now reached such magnitude as to permit no other
remedy than q compulsory reduction of the currency
the amount CURED by the business of the This
reduction should be accompanied by pledge
10 stress of circumstances will that exceeded.
No possible mode of using the credit of the Government
so disastrous which dstRrbs the basis of all
changes and renders impossible oil calculations OF future
Values eugneas in constantly increasing proportions the
price Of all commodities, and appreciates all
fixed wages, salaries and Eccmos, to render
them il adequate TO a bare subsistence If to these
be added the still fatal influence the morals and
character Of the people to which have already adverted
am persuaded you will concur in the conclusion that
inexible adherence to limit alton of the currency at
fixed indispensable element of any system Of f.
nance now to be adopted. Holders of currency
outstanding only be protected in the recovery OF
their just claims by substituting for notes some other
security. If the currency is not greatly and promptly
reduced the present scale of inflated prices will
only contiuue to exist but from the very fact OF
the large amount thus made requisite in the conduct
Of the war prices will CHI still
CANT and the whole system fall under its own weight render
the redemption of the debt possble destroying It's
Whole value in The hands holder IT, on the contrary
aunded debt with interest secured by adequate taxation be
substituted for the outstanding currency its entire amount
will be available to the holder and Government will be in
condition enabling III beyond the reach of probable
contingency to prosecute the war to successful issue 1t
u.s. therefore, deanded well by the interest of the cred
tor OF the country at ege that the evidences Of public
ered into bonds bearing adequate interest," with pro-
vision for taxation sufficient to insure Punctua ment and
mends to the liberation Congress the the Sec
rotary of the Treasury and hopes will eugoss the nsid
Grafton c that body until disposed of in hc best
adapted to attain tie important results which the country
anticp pate from its action.
spects In better condition than at prevous period Of
the He recommends the restoration to the army
all who are improperly absent by putting end to the
substitution modifying the exemption law restricting de-
tails aDd placing in the ranks able bodied
poyed as wagones nurses, cooks and other employees
doing service for which negroes may found competent
He coneurs in the opnioa expressed by the Secretary OF
War; at there is Io ground for the objection that q
provision to include those who furnished substitutes
any former cali would be breach of contract. The
ton Of the several Executive Depart reviewed ard
the gratifying announcement is made that the receipts
of the Post Office Department hupd red and ventv
FIVE 1housaad dollars of its expenditures Com
unication with the States obstructed
to render difficult compliance with executive needs
Legislation required providing for the rce of tenn
authority especially Postal DepsTtm and the
Treasury, for which Sub. Secretaries are recommended
While for military affairs it would to be sufficient G
authorize the President AID Secretary War delegate
in commanding generals much of the discretionary DOW
vested in ILem by law the exgences of the service
shall re q1ire.
In concnsion the President advers to the savage fero
city Of the emery IN conducting the war; holds I'D TO
pubic eXecraton the refusal Of the Lincoln Government to
execute The cartel tor the exchange of psoues Rut bo
patriotism Of The people had equal every sacrifice
with disproporionate to our means and nj der
His divine favor abors be crowned with
SUCCESS. "''-