Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-12-15

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Since the suppression of active hos.
tilities our foreign squadrons have
been re-established, and consist Of
vessels much more efficient than those
employed on similar service before
the rebellion. The suggestion fol
the enlargement of the navy-yards
and especially for the establishment
of one in fresh, water for iron-clad
vessels is deserving OF consideration
as is, also, the recommendation fol
different location and more ample
grounds for the Naval Academy.
In the report OF the Secretary Of
War, a general summary is given Of
the military campaigns of 1864 and
1865, ending in the suppression Of
armed resistance to the national au-
thority in the insurgent States. The
operations of the general administra-
tive Bureaus of the War Department
during the past year are detailed,
and an estimate made Of the appro-
priations that will be required for
military purposes in the fiscal year
commencing the Both day of June,
1866. The national military force
on the 1st eff May, 1865, numbered
1,000,516 men. 1t is proposed to
reduce the military establishment to
a peace footing, comprehending fifty
thousand men OF all arms, organized
so as to admit Of an enlargement by
filling up the ranks to eighty.two
thousand, six hundred if5the circum
stanceso Of the country should require
an augmentation Of the army. The
volunteer force has already been re-
duced by the discharge from service
of over eight hundred thousand
troops, and the Department is pro-
ceeding rapidly in the work ofreduc-
ton. The war estimates are re-
duced from $516,240,131, to $33.
S14,461, which amount, in the opin-
ion of the Department, is adequate
for a peace establishment, L he
measures Of retrenchment in each
Bureau and branch of the service ex-
hibit a diligent economy worthy of
commentator. Reference s also
made in the report to the necessity
of providing for uniform militia
system, and to the propriety of max
ing suitable provision for wounded
and disabled officers and soldiers.
Thereyenue system Of the country |
is a subject of vital interest to its
honor and prosperity, and should
command the earnest consideration
of Congress. The Secretary of the
Treasury. will lay before you a full
and detailed report Of the receipts
and disbursements of the last fiscal
year, OF the first quarter OF the
present fiscal year, Of the probable
receipts and expenditures for the t
other three quarters, and the esti- S
mates for the year following the 4
Both of June, 1866. | might CON {
tent myself with a reference to that t
report, in which you will find all the Il
required for your delib- s
and decision. But the para a
mount Importance Of the subject so /
presses itself on my own mind, that t
cannot but lay before you my views '
Of the measures which are required
Ior the good character, and, | might =
also say, for the existence of this :
people. The life of a republic lies
certainly in the energy virtue, and
intelligence Of its citizens; but it is :
equally true that a good revenue sys-
TEN is the life of an organized gov
eminent. Inject you at time when
the nation has voluntarily burdened ;
itself with a debt unprecedented in .
our annals. Vast as is its amount
it fades away into nothing when ,
with the countless bless
ings that will be conferred upon our
country and upon man by the pres
ervation of the nations life. Now,
on the first occasion Of the meeting
of Congress since the return ofpeace,
it is of the utmost Importance to
inaugurate q just policy, which shall
at once be put in motion, and which I
i. 3
shall commend itself to those who
come after us for its continuance
We must aim at nothing less than ,
the complete placement of the fnan-
cial evils that necessarily followed a
state ofcivil war. We must endeav-
or to apply the earliest remedy to
the deranged state of the currency,
and not shrink from devising policy I
which without being oppressive to .
the people, shall Immediately begin |
to effect a reduction of the debt, and
ifpersisted in, discharge it fully with i
in a definitely fixed number of years. I;
1t is our first duty to prepare in
earnest for our recovery from the :
ever increasing evils Of an irredeem.
able currency, without sudden re-
and yet without untimely a
procrastination. For that end, we
must, each in our respective positions t
prepare the way. l hold it the il
duty of the Executive to insist upon o