Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-12-13

that the failure shall not be attributable TO
any denial of justice. In all that relates to
the destiny of the freedmen, We need not be
too anxious to read the future; many Incl
dents which from a speculative point of
view, might raise alarm. viii quietly settle
themselves.
Now that slavery is at an end, or near It's
end, the greatness of It's evil. in the point of
view of public economy. becomes more and
more apparent Slavery was essentially a
monopoly OF labor, aud of such locked the
States where it prevailed against the incom-
ing of free industry Where labor was the
property of the capitalist, the white man
was excluded from employment, or had but
the second best chance OF finding II and
the foreign emigrant turned away from the
region where his condition would be so pre-
carious With the distraction of the mon
opoiy, free labor will hasten from all parts
Of the civilized world to assist III developing
various imneasurabe e resources which have
hitherto lain dormant. The eight or nine
States nearest the Gulf of Mexico have a
soil of exhuberant fertility, climate friend
ly TO long life, and can sustain denser pop
ulation than is found as yet in any part of
our country. And the future influx OF pop
ulation into them will be mainly from the
North, or from the most cultivated nations
In Europe. From the suficrings that have
attended them during our late struggle, let
us look away to the future which is sure to
be laden for them with greater prosperity
than has ever before been known. The re-
| moyal of the monopoly of slave labor is
| pledge that those regions will be peopled by
a numerous and enterprlsing population,
which will vie with any in the Union in
! compactness. inventive genius wealth and
| Industry.
| Our Government springs from and was
| made for the people-not the people for the
| Government. To them it owes allegiance;
from them IL must derive its courage,
| strength and wisdom. But, while the Gov
ernment is thus bound TO defer to the peo-
| pie. from whom it derives It's existence. it
should. from the very consideration of it's
origin, be strong In its power os resistance
| TO the establishments of Inequalities. Mon
| opolies, perpetuitIes, and class legislation,
are contrary to the genius of free govern
lnent, and ought not TO be allowed. Here,
| there Is no room for favored classes or mon
opolies; the principle of our Governments is
that Of equal laws and freedom of industry.
| Wherever monopoly attains a foothold, 1t Is
sure to be source of danger, discord, and
| trouble We shall but fulfill our duties as
| legislators by according equal and exact
justice to all n en-, J" special privileges to none,
| The Government is subordinate TO the peo-
| pie but, as the agent and representative of
the people. it must be held superior TO mon
| opolies which in themselves, ought neve to
be granted, and which, where they exist,
1 must be subordinate, and yield to the Gov
! ernment.9
| The Constitution confers on Congress the
! right 10 regulate commerce among the sew
| era States Il is Of the first necessity, ior
| the maintenance of the Union, that that
| commerce should be free and unebstructed.
NJ l. IL
| TAX the transit OF travel and commerce be
tween States. The position of many States
| is such that, if they were allowed TO take
! advantage OF ii Tor purposes of local reve-
| rue, the commerce between States might
| be injuriously burdened, or even virtually
| prohibited. 1t is best, while the country is
still young, and while the tendency to dan
/ gorouS nonopoies of this kind is still fee
| bic, to use the power OF Congress so as to
! prevent any selfish impeachment to the free
! circulation OF men and merchandise. \
/ tax on travel and merchandise. in their tran
! sit constitutes one Of the worst forms of
! monopoly, and the evil Is increased If cou-
! pied with denial of the choice OF route.
| When the vast extent of our country Is con-
| sidered, il is plain that every obstacle to the
| Tree circulation OF commerce between the
| States ought to be sternly guarded against
! by appropriate legislation, within the limits
ofthe Constitution.
The report of the Secretary of the Inte-
rier explains the condition of the public
lands, the transactions of the Patent Office
and Pension Bureau. the management Of
cur Indian affairs, the progress made in the
constructions of our Pacific railroad and
furnishes information IN reference to mat
tiers OF local interest in the District of Co
lumbia 1t also presents evidence Of the
successful operation OF the Homestead Act,
under the provisions of which /, 100, ,533
acres of the public lands were entered dur
ing the last fiscal year-more than one-fourth
of the whole number of acres sold or other
wise disposed of during that period. 1t is
estimated that the receipts derived from
this source are sufficient to cover the ex-
penses incident to the survey and disposal
of the lands entered under this act, and
that payments in cash to the extent of from
forty to fifty per cent, will be made by set
tiers, who may thus at any time acquire
title before the expiration of the period at
which it would otherwise vest. The home
stead policy was established only after long
and earnest resistance experience proves
its wisdom. The lands. In the hands of in
dustrious settlers, whose labor creates wealth
and contributes to the public resources are
worth more TO the United States than if
tbey had been reserved as a solitude for fu-
tnre purchasers.
The lamentable events of the last four
years. and the sacrifices made by the gallant
men of onr Army and Navy, have swelled
the records of the Pensions Bureau to an
unprecedented extent On the Both day of
June last. the total number of pensioners
was 85, $50, requiring for their annual pay,
exclusive of expenses, the sum OF Ss,023,-