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

In the report of the Secretary OF war,
a general summary is given of the mill
tary campaigns of 1864 and 1863, ending
in the suppression Of armed resistance to
the national authorities in the insurgent]
States. The operations of the general
administrative Bureaus of the War De-
partment during the past year are detail /
ed, and an estimate madesof the appro-
priations that will be required for militia
ry purposes in the fiscal year commencing
the 3oth day Of June 1865. The
national military force on the 1st of May,
1865, numbered 1,000,516 men. 1t is
proposed to reduce the military estab-
lishment to peace footing comprehend
ing $4,000 troops of all arms, organized
so as to admit of an enlargement by fill
ing up the ranks to 82,6e0, if the circum.
stances Of the country should require an
augmentation of the army. The volun-
teer force has already been reduced by
the discharge from service of over $780, 900
troops, and the. Department is proceeding
rapidly In the work Of further reduction.
The war estimates are reduced from $780,
240, 131 to S33, ,814, ,416, which amount,in in
the opinion Of the Department, is ade-
quate for a peace establishment. The
measures of retrenchment in each Bu-
reau and branch of the service exhibit a
diligent economy worthy of commenda-
ton. Reference is also made In the re-
port to the necessity of providing for a
uniform militia system, and to the pro-
priety of making suitable provision for
wounded and disabled officers and SOL
diers. ffEa ft
The revenue system of the country is
subject of vita! interest to its honor and
prosperity, and should command the ear
nest consideration of Congress. The Sec
retary of the Treasury will lay before you
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 expen-
ditures for the other three quarters, and
the estimates for the year following the
Both Of June, 1866. l might content
myself with reference to that report, in
which you will find all the information
required for your deliberations and de-
cision. Butthe paramount Importance of
the subject so presses itself on my own
mind, that cannot. but lay before you
my views of the measures which are, re-
qaired for the good character, and might
say for the existence of this people. The
! life of the Republic lies certainly in the
energy, virtue and intelligence of its cit
izens; but it is equally true that a good
revenue system is the life of an organized
government. no,rel ere aa jsl;F
i meet you at a time when the nation
has voluntarily burdened itself with q
debt unparalleled in our annals. Vast as
is its amount, it fades away to nothing
when it is compared with the countless
, blessings that will be conferred upon our
country and upon man by the preserva-
tion of the nations life. Now, on the frs
occasion of the meeting of Congress since
the return Of peace, it is of the utmos
importance to inaugurate a just policy
which shall at once be put in motion, and
, which shall commend itself to those, ,wht
come after US for its continuance. w,
f must aim at nothing less than the com
! plete effacement of the financial evils tina
necessarily followed state of civil war
We must endeavor to apply the carries
: remedy to the deranged state of the eur
: rency, and not shrink from deyising {
8 policy which, without being oppressive t,
D the people, shall Immediately begin t
, effect a reduction of the debt, and, if per
sisted in, discharge it fully within def
initely fixed number Of years. .t.5-
r It is our first duty to prepare in earn
: est for our recovery from the ever in
g creasing evils of an. irredeemable curren
: cy, without sudden .revulsion, and ye
E without untimely procrastination. Fo
r that end We must, each in our RESPECTIVE
r positions, prepare the way. Iholdit TIL
/, duty of the Executive to insist upon fru
f fhgality in the expenditures; and sparinl
E economy is itself a great national resource
f Of the banks to which authority has bcel
: given to issue notes secured by bonds o
: the United States, we may require tn
r greatest moderation aud prudence, an,
e the law must be origidly enforced wheI
E its limits are exceeded. We may, eacl
e one of US, counsel our active and enter
| prising countrymen to be constantly o.
: their guard, to liquidate debts .contraete,
t in a paper currency. and, by conducting
: business as nearly as possible on system
: of cash payments or short credits, to hol'
themselves prepared to return to the stan
i dard of gold and silver. To aid our fel
e low citizens in the prudent management
t of their monetary affairs, the, duty de
e wolves on US to diminish by law th
: amount Of paper money now in circula
n ton Five years ago the bank7note cir
!, culation of the country amounted to no
i much more than two hundred millions
E now the circulation. bank and national
r exceeds seven hundred millions. Th
q simple statement of the fact recommend
t more strongly than any words Of min
4 could do, the necessity of restra aiming thi
2 expansion. The gradual reduction of tn
5 currency is the only measure that ca
Q save the country from disastrous calami
E ties; and this can be almost imperceptibl
d accomplished by gradually funding tn
g national circulation in securities that ma,
/ be made redeemable at the pleasure o
j, the Government, s..f.s;,f n; -.
t :. Our debt is doubly secure--6rst In tn
r actual wealth and still greater undevel
e oped resources of the country; and mex
. in the character of our Institutions. TIL
s | m ost intelligent observers among politica