Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-12-24
SPEECH OF THE HON. R. P.
SPALDIHG,
In the House of Representa-.
,tiyes, Dee. 10th, 1864.
THE PREsIDENT's MESSAGE.

Mr.. CHAIRMAN; When, st the last sit
ting Of the Committee Of the Whole House
On the state of the Union, I submitted the
motion which at this time gives me the
floor, my only purpose was to bring about
an adjournment Of the House. But ss, by
parliamentary rule, the privilege Of speak
ing is accorded to me, shall improve the
opportunity to congratulate the commit
tee and country upon the dignifed and
patriotic character of the Presidents
message, which is, by ike rule, made
the first subject for our consideration.
The President gives US to understand IN
this, his annual message, that the condition
Of our foreign affairs Is REASONABLY sstiS-
fsctory'-that is to ssy, that amicable re-
lations with all foreign Powers Is still pre-
served through the arts of diplomacy. He
says, however, that unforeseen political
difficulties have arisen on the northern
boundary of the United SLstes," and, in
view of the insecurity of life and property
in the region adjacent to the Canadian
border, By reason Ofrecent assaults and de-
probation, committed by inimicsl and des-
perate persons i0ho are hdT5ored there, it
hiss been thought proper to give notice
that, after the expiration of six months
the period conditionally stipulated in the
existing arrangement with Great Britain,
the United States must hold themselves at
liberty to increase their naval armament
aLzl on the lakes If they shall find that pro.
ceeding necessary"
Mr.. Chairman, as the Representative OF
wealthy, intelligent, and highly patriotic
population in the immmediate vicinity of
one Of those of these great lakes, whose
peaceful waters have the last summer been
widely violated by the marsuders from
Canada, desire to thank the President
for this signal manifestation of executive
tirmness and sagscity.
It should not be forgotten that this
House Of representatives., at its last session.
accepted with coed degree of unRnimiry q
Joint resolution, eminsting from the Com.
mittee on Naval Affairs, requesting the
Executive to give to Great Britain this
very notice so vitality important to the
commerce of the lakes and to the security
of the inhabitants living upon their bor-
ders. This resolution 'fell asleep" in the
Senate.
Another re:olution touching the interests
of the British Provinces in 8 strictly COM
mercial point, and giving reciprocity in
fact where none existed but in name, has
recently passed this House, in accordance
with the just expectations of the people,
and they seem now to be waiting some
what impatiently the further action Of CO.
ordinate branches Of the Government.
Mr. Chairman, am fully aware of the
dslicacy Of cur relations with Great Britain,
and have no disposition 1t This moment
TO provoke open hostilities with her; but I
am free 70 confess that do not look upon
thst Power SIS friend to the United States.
| she Is greatly ambitious TO ba the leader Of
/ the nations by means Of her supremacy on
the ocean, and she Is pre-eminently selfish
in all that apperIains 10 commerce snd
trade. In both Of these particulars navy
and commercial marine, the United States
having peace within her own borders,
would speedily oVershRdoY her. Neither
do l fear Crest Britain. This GoTernm6nt
has no occasion to fear her, for, with all her
wealth and military and naval strength,
| the loyal people Of the United States are,
at this moment, with the "great rebellion
| on their hands, more than match for her.
] While We depreeate war with foreign na-
/ tiOns, We suouITJT aIvvayzs EyIIIy---s-- -
rest way to avert that calamity isto be fully
ore pared for the emergency. Pasillani-
nous legislation and pnsiilanimous di-
plomacy will bring ruin upon 6
| nation sooner than armed legions. It is
therefore the true policy Of our Republic
to be continually Egirding on her armor,
TO erect fortiAcstions upon her exposeC
coasts and borders, to establish dock-yard
and depots upon the shores Of our inland
seas, as we'll as upon the shores Of our twC
great oceans.
The message informs US that the fnan
| cial affairs Of the Government have beeI
beneacally affected by the legislation O.
the last session of Congress. That receipts
into the Treasury from all sources during
the yesT, in cash, were S6s4,o76, ,646, 0
which, there Wss derived from customs
S1O2 BIG, ,152; from lands, $5ss, 1913; from
direct taxes, S475,64s; from internal rev
enue, $I09, 9,741, ,l84; from miscellaneou
sources, TAI ,511, ,448; and from loans
| 1923, 1892 The disbursements we're, il
the sum total, $685., ,254, ,Os7, Of which The
War Department consumed $3.50, 791, ,842
and the Navy Department. S85, 733, 1872
These estimates, it will be noted, were
made on the lst day Of July, 1884, at which
| time the increased tariff and internal du
this were hardly felt stthe national Treas
urV. The national debt at that date, wa
Sl,74O, ,G9O, ,489. 1t is believed that by {
iudicious revision Of the system of tsrif
and taxation, and especially by the impo
| sition Of q reasonable duty upon sales Of al
sorts, the internal revenue may be made
TO exceed the sum OF $500, 100000 year
without being burdensome to our people
What picture that will present Of thl
unfathomsble resources of our great ma
ton Not yet fourscore years Of age, snC
with one-third OF the States in open ant
active rebellion for four years, sustaining
an army Of q million men, and navy 0
seven hundred ships Of war, and yet no
one dollar borrowed, except from our owl
loyal citizens And still we have but
faint conception of the wonderful resource
of the United States Government anC
people. 7 am persuaded that I speal
within the bounds Of modesty and trutl
when I say that a single article of com
meree, almost unknown 70 the arts q
the breaking out of the rebellion, will com
mand annually, in the market, moneI
enough to pay the interest on our nstiona
debt.
1t is gratifying to learn from the mes
sage that, Notwithstanding the exaction
for the military service, some nine thous
and persons had been enabled TO ente
lands for farms during the FIVE quarter
preceding the 3Oth day Of September las
under the benign provisions Of the home
stosd law. This is the only legitimat
mole of making sovereigns in our countr
lords of the soil-snd they will be yer
apt to standby the Government whenc
they have derived their title of sggrsr
diZement.
It is painful TO hesr of the deYaststin
effects of war upon our fighting populi
ton; and, at the same time, We are happ
TO know that republics are not all of theI
ungrateful The President tells US ther
have beeu placed on the Army pensio
rolls, during tie year, twenty-five thousan
one hundred and ninetY-eight widows, o.