The tri-weekly news. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1865-1876, 1866-12-08

now excluded from Congress, by allayiug
doubt and apprehension, would turn capi.
tal, now awaiting an opportunity for invest
ment, into the channels Of trade and indus.
try. II would alleviate the present troub-
LED condition of those States, and. by induc-
ing emigration, aid in the settlement of
fertile regions now uncultivated, ana lead e
an increased production of those staples
which have added so greatly to the wealth
Of the nation and the commerce of the world.
New fields OF enterprise would be opened
TO our progressive people, and soon the
devastations of war would be repaired, and
all traces of our domestic differences etfaced
from the minds Of our countrymen.
In bur efforts to preserve "the unity of
Government which constitutes us one pco-
pie" by restoring the States to the condi.
tion which they held prior to tic rebellion,
We should be cautious, lest, having rescued
our nation from perils of threatened disinter-
ration, we resort to consolidation, and in
the end absolute despotisnl, as q remedy for
the recurrence Of similar troubles. The
war having terminated, and with il all occa.
sion for the exercise of powers Of doubtfal
constitutionality, We should hasten to bring
legislation within the boundaries prescrib-
Ell bp the Constitution, and to return to the
ancient landmarks established by our faith.
srsfor the guidance of succeeding generations
1.-The Constitution which ut any time exists
until changed by an explicit and authentic
act OF the whole people, is sacrcdly obliga-
tory upon ALL" "lf, in the opinion of the
people, the distribution or modification
of the constitutional powers be, in any
particular, wrong, let it be corrected by an
amendment in the way in which the Consti
tuition dcsignates. But let there be no
change by usurpation; for" .it is the Gus.
tomary weapon by whigh free Governments
are destroyed" Washington spoke these
words to his countrymcn, when, followed
by their love and gratitude, he voluntarily
retired rom the cares of public life. ITO
keep in all things within the pale of our
constitutional powers, and cherish the
Federal Union as the only rock of safety"
were prescribed by Jefferson as rules of
action to eplear to his '.oountrymen the
true principles of their Constitution, aud.
promote union of sentiment and action
equally auspioious TO their happiness and
snfesy." Jackson held that the action of
the General Government should always be
strictly confined to the sphere of its appro-
pirate dutios, and justly and forcibly urged
that our Government is not to be maintain.
ed nor our Union preserved e'by invasinns
Of the rights and powers of tho scvcrel
States. In thus attempting to make our
General Government strong, we make il
weak. Its true strength consists in leaving
individuals and States as much as possible
10 themselves; in making itself felt, not in
its power, but in its protection not in
binding the States more closely to the GEN.
tire, but leaving each to move unobstructcd
in its constitutional orbit" These are the
teachings of men whose deeds and services
IN yn mlIn thnn, illnctrio,,o >,,l.o
since withdrawn from the scenes of life,
have left 10 llreiy country the rich legacy
Of their example, their wisdom. and thew
patriofism. UraHing fresh Inspiration from
their lessons, let us emulate tlrem in love
of country and respect for the Constitution
and the laws.
The report Of the Secretary of the Treas
ury affords much information respecting
the revenue and co mmerce Of the country
His views upon che currency, and with
reference toa proper adjustment Of our
revenue system, internal as we'll as impost,
are commended TO the careful consideration
ofCongress. In my last annual message 1.
expressed my general views upon these
subjects. lnecd now only call atteution to
the necessity of carrying into every depart
ment of the Government II system of rigid
accountability, thorough rctrenchment, and
wise economy. With no exceptional nor
unusual expenditures, the oppressive bur-
dcns Of taxation can be lessencd by such
modification of our revenne laws as will be
consistent with the epublio faith, and the lc-
climate aud necessary wants ofthc Govern
,ment:
The report presents mach more sat.
isfactory condition of our finances than
one year ago jho most sanguine could
have anticipated. During the fiscal year
ending tile 3Oth June, 1865, the last
year of the war, the public debt was in
creased $94l, ,902,53 and OH tho list
of October, 1865. it amounted to 81.
740,S54,650. OT,the 3lst of October
1866, it had been reduced to 1925 l9.
3l0,006, the diminuton, during period
OF fourteen months, commencing Sep
iember l., 1865, and ending October 81,
1866, having been $206,379, $50. In
the last annual report on the state of lho
finances, it was estimated that during the
three-qnarters of tho fiscal year ending