New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-12-07
THE pRRsiDENT,s MESSAGE.


THE PREsIDENT,s MESSAGE.
The Message of the President, which was
yesterday delivered to both Houses OF Congress,
is, as all Mr.. Lincoln state papers are, a
straight forward and blsinesS-like document. II
gives TO Congress and the country condensed
but methodical statement of our National affairs
in all their foreign and domestic relations, and
in style so plain and brief that it is certain to
be universally read and universally understood.
In our foreign relations there is nothing to
cause the slightest apprehension for the future,
nor is any change intimated, except in relation
to the Treaty with Great Britain as to the
increase Of our naval armament upon the Lakes.
But the necessity for the stipulated notice for
the termination Of the Treaty arises, not from
any hostility in the attitude Of Great Britain,
but to guard our own border more eiicctuallY
from hostile incursons, in that direction, from
Southern Rebels.
But The Message is mainly and necessarily
taken up with comprehensive review of our
domestic affairs, and, considering that we are
carrying on war inevitably expensive in hu-
man lie, in national prosperity, and in national
wealth, the statement is eminently satisfactory.
The condition Of our national finances can
hardly be given in fewer words than those Of the
President. He says:
The receipts during the wear from all sources apon
the basis OF warrants signed by the Secretary Of the
Treasury including loans and the balance III the Treas
ury on The first day of July s63 81 3i no 0O7 o.
nd nurn mi has
81, oy lO 81 leaving balance III the Treas
ury. "a shown by variants OF $40 1885 3D. Deduct
from these amounts tue onOo OF the principal Of the
public debt redeemed and the amount OF issues In sub
stution therefor and the actual cash operations az the
Treasury were: Receipts S-tiOi6.6i6 ~; disburse-
mepis $sG 3i0 OF Sc which leaves % cash balance Ia
the Treasury Of sle si2s II. OF the receipts there
were derived ron customs. sl02.3lG,lJ2 %; from
lands s3 90 from direct taxes. si7J,Gis &C. from
internal revenue sl0g.Hl. l3i 10; from miscellaneous
sources AS 10; and from loans applied TO actual
expenditures including former balance. S2J 3i3 99 H.
There disbursed for the civil service. s2i. JOS
SO 10; !or pensions aud Indians GJl7 $50 81 for the
War de- artmcni sG0 ZIG -: for the Navy Depart
Inrnt s.j 49, 29 81; Tor interest Of the public debt
So c 42l CO. making an aggregate OF sos 23i0s1 &c,
and leaving balance in the Treasury Of so ~,
as before stated.
The public debt Oh the lst Of July last
amounted 10 one billion seven hundred and
forty thousand millions. six hundred and ninety
thousand four hundred and eighty-nino dol.
lars and forty-nine cents. Should the war
continue another year it will be increased not
more than five hundred millions. 10 meet
future expenditures the President concurs with
the Secretary Of the Treasury in recommending
an increase Of taxation. lie also recommends
20 Congress that limited amount Of some
future issue Of public securities may be held by
the purchaser free from taxation and seizure for
debt, in order that persons Of limited means
may be induced to invest in such securities.
The announcement Of the future policy Of
the President in regard to the war and
to Slavery, has been looked for with anxiety
and will be read with eager interest In
reviewing the result of the late election, he
considers it as simply "an additional element
to be considered" inasmuch as it is "the voice
of the people now for the first time heard upon
the question" Of the war. To MAINTAIN the
integrity ofthe Union he accepts as the finn and
"ncarly unanimous purpose Of the people
the purpose not only Of all who voted the Union
ticket, but Of the great majority OF those who
did not, iuasmuch as no candidate "ventured
to seek votes on the avowa that he was for giving
up the Union.' Therefore, in obedience TO the
will Of the people, as wellas his own convictions,
the President will never give up the Union. Until
ft is restored in all its integrity be will continue
the war. With the leader Of the insurgents he
can enter into no negotiations for peace, be-
cause that leader will listen to no terms but the
independence Of the Southern Conlederacy. But
with his followers the President is ready to
enter upon the question OF peace, on tho condi.
ton that they lay down their arms and submit
to the National authority under the Constitu.
ton. Some Of them, he knows, already desire
peace and reunion, and their number may in.
crease This is the only hope of peace held ont
in the Message, except by victory in war, and
the President accepts the election as his justii-
cation BY the people Of this determination.
He recommends the present Congress to
abolish Slavery by Constitutional amendment.
If it fails to do So as it has once already, he as
serts it to be only an act postponed a. IL is GER
tain to be done by the Congress elect. For
himself he retracts nothing he has ever said or
done in regard to Slavery. he will not retract