The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-12-13

age, strength and wisdom. But while the
Government is thus bound to defer to
the people, from whom it derives its ex-
istence, it should from the very conside-
ration of its origin, be strong in its power
of resistance to the establishment of ine-
qualities. Monopolies, ,perpetualities, and
class legislation, are contrary to the geni-
us of free government, and ought not to
be allowed. Here, there is no room for
favored classes or monopolies-the prin-
ciple of our Government is that of equal
laws and freedom of industry Wherever
monopoly attains foothold, it is sure 20 be
source of danger, discord and trouble.
We shall bat fulfil our duties as legisla-
tors by according "equal and exact justice
to all men," special privileges to nene.-
people; but, as the agent and representa-
tive of the people, it must be held supe-
rior to monopolies, which, in themselves,
ought never TO be granted, and which,
where they exist, must be subordinate
and yield to the Government.
The Constitution confers on Congress
the right to regulate commerce among the
several States. 1t is of the first necessity,
for the maintenance of the Union, that
commerce should be free and unobstruct-
ed. No state can be justified in any de-
vice to tax the transit travel and commerce
between States. The position of many
States is such that if they were allowed
to take advantage of it for purposes of
local revenue, the commerce between
States might be injuriously burdered, or
even virtually prohibited. 1t is best,
while the country is still young, and
while the tendency to dangerous monopo-
lies of this kind is still feeble, to use the
power of Congress so as to prevent any
selfish impediment to the free circulation
of men and merchandise. A tax on travel
and merchandise, in their transit, consti-
tutes one of the worst forms of monope-
I ly, and the evil is increased if coupled
} with denial Of the choice of route
J When the vast extent Of our country is
considered, it is plain that every obstacle
to the free circulation of commerce be-
tween the States ought to be strongly
guarded against by appropriate legisla-
tien, within the limits of the Constitu-
tion. 81 500
: The report of the Secretary of the In.
terror explains the condition of the pub
| lie lands, the transactions of the Patent
| Office and Pension Bureau, the manage.
r ment of our Indian affairs, the progress
> made in the construction of the Pacific
} Railroad, and furnishes information in
+ reference to matters Of local interest il
7 the. District of Columbia. 1t also pre-
sents evidence of the successful operation
7 of the Homestead Act, under the previs
} ions Of which /, ,160, ,533 acres of the pub
lie lands were entered during the last fs
cal year-more than one fourth of The
whole number of acres sold or otherwise
] disposed of during that period. ltis es
:. timated that the receipts derived from
e this source are sufficient to cover the ex
penses incident to the survey and dispo
S sal of the lands entered under this Act
4 and that payments in cash to the extern
of from forty to fifty per cent. will b.
made by settlers, who may thus at an,
D time acquire title before the expiration o
t the period at which it would otherwis
D vest The homestead policy was estab
lished only after long and earnest resist
t ance; experience proves its wisdom. Th
i lands in the hands of industrious lead
r ers, whose labor creates and contribute
? to the public resources, are worth more t
the United States than if they had bee
: Preserved as solitude for future purcha
t sers. EtR ra
q The lamentable events of the last fou
: years, and the sacrifices made by the gal
s liant men of our army and navy, hay
: tswelled the records of the Pension Blu
S reau to an unprecedented extent. On tn
d Both day of June last, the total. numbe
o of pensioners was 35, 1856, requiring fo
e their annual pay, exclusive of expense.
e the sum of $9s023, AS. The number q
t applications that have been allowed sine
: that date will require large increase Q
r this amount for the next fiscal year
The means for the payment of the sti
e pends due, under existing laws, to ou
e disabled soldiers and sailors, and to tn
!. families of such as have perished insth
s service OF the country, will no doubt
# cheerfully and promptly granted.
n grateful people will not hesitate to sane
e tion any measures having for their objec
It the relief of soldiers mutilated and fam
e lilies made fatherless IN the efforts to pre-
y serve our national existence. as4
: The report of the Postmaster Genera
t presents an encouraging exhibit of th
d Operations of the PostoHice departmen
e during the year. The revenue of tn
y past year from the loyal States alone ex
o ceeded the maximum annual receipts fror
It all the States previous to the rebellion
y in the sum of Sc, ,03S, ,091; and the annua
It average increase ofreyenue during tn
past four years. compared with the fou
years Immediately preceding the rebellio
r was So, ,533, ,S45. The revenue of the las
e fiscal year amounted to S14, $50, ,158. an
IS the expenditures to S13,694, ,728; leagin
IS surplus of receipts over expenditure
s of 1851, ,430. Progress having been mad
d in restoring the postal service in th
: Southern States. The views presente
J. by the Postmaster General against tn
n policy of granting subsidies to ocean ma
IT steamship lines upon established route.
l. and in favor of continuing the preser
e system, which limits the compensation fc
: ocean service to the postage earnings, ar
I, recommended to the careful consideratio
e OF, Congress-, ra.f irtfr ss,fsffi s.f.-s.-s4