The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-12-09

Of society; it has its root in the character
OF our laws. Here all men contribute to
the public welfare, and bear their fair
share OF the public burdens. During the
men Of the great body Of the people, with
out regard to their own comparative want
Of wealth, thronged to our armies and
filed our fleets Of war. and held them-
selves ready to offer their lives for the
public good. Now, in their turn, the pro-
perty and income Of the country should
bear their just proportion Of the burden
OF taxation, while in our impost system,
through means Of which increased vitality
is incidentally impaired to all the indus
trial interests Of the nation, the duties
should be so adjusted as to fall most
heavily on articles Of luxury, leaving the
necessarles of life as free from taxation as
the absolute wants Of tho Government,
economically administered, will Justify.
No favored class should demand freedom
from assessment, and the taxes should be
so distributed as not to fall unduly on the
poor, but rather on the accumulated
wealth of the country We should look at
the national debt just as it is.-not as ma
tional blessing, but as heavy burden on
the industry of the country, to be dis
charged without unnecessary delay.
1t is estimated by the Secretary OF the
Treasury, that the expenditures for the
fiscal year ending the 30th of June, 1866,
gratifying, however, to state that it is also
estimated that the revenue for the year
ending the 3Oth of June, 1867, will exceed
the expenditures in the sum of Sill ,6S2,-
81S. This amount, or so much as may be
deemed sufficient for the purpose. may be
applied to the reduction of the public debt,
which, on the 3lst day Of October, 1865,
was s2,740, 1854, $50. Every reduction will
diminish the total amount of interest to
be paid, and so enlarge the means of still
further reductions, until the whole shall
be hquidated; and this, as will be seen
from the estimates of the Secretary of the
Treasury, may be accomplished by annual
payments even within period not exceed
ing thirty years. l have faith that We
shall do all this within reasonable time;
that, as we have amazed the world by the
suppression Of civil war which was
thought to be beyond the control of any
Government, so we shall equally show the
superiority of our institutions by the
prompt and faithful discharge Of our ma
tional obligations.
The Department of Agriculture, under
it's present direction, is accomplishing
much in developing and utilizing the vast
agricultural capabilities Of the country,
and for information respecting the details
OF its management, reference is made to
the annual report Of the Commissioner
1 have dwelt thus fully on our domestic
affairs because of their transcendant i'm
portance. Under any circumstances, our
great e1tcnt Of territory and variety of
climate, producing almost everything that
is necessary for the wants, and even the
comforts of man, make us singularly in
dependent of the varying policy of foreign
powers, and protect us against every temp
tation to ''entangling alliances" while at
the present moment the re-esta blishment
from harmony, will be our best security
against nations who feel power and for
get right" For myself, it has been and it
will be my constant aim to promote peace
and amity with all foreign nations and
powers; and have every reason to believe
that they all, without exception, are ami
mated by the same disposition. Our
relations with the Emperor of China, so
recent in their origin, are most friendly.
Our commerce with his dominions is re-
ceiving new developments: and it is
very pleasing to find that the Go
vernment of that great Empire mani
tests satisfaction with our policy, and
reposes just confidence in the fairness
which marks our intercourse. The un-
broken harmony between the United States
and the Emperor Of Russia is receiving a
new support froG. 2H enterprise designed
to carry telegraphic lines across the
continent of Asia, through his dominions,
new channel of intercourse. Our COM
mercc with South America is about to
receive encouragement by direct line Of
mail steamships to the rising Empire of
Brazil. The distinguished party Of men
Of science who have recently left our
country to make scientific exploration Of
the natural history and rivers and noun
tain ranges of that region, have received
from the Emperor that generous welcome
which was to have been expected from his
constant friendship for the United States,
and his well known zeal in promoting the
advancement of knowledge. A hope is
entertained that our commerce with the
rich and populous countries that border
the Mediterranean Sea may bo largely in
creased Nothing will be wanting, on tho
part of this Government, to extend the
protection uf our flag over the enterprise
of our fellow citizens. We receive from