The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-03


people, and established upon the principles of |
liberty, justice and intelligence.
Our increased strength and enhanced pros
perity would irrefragably demonstrate the fall
lacy of the arguments against free institutions
drawn from our recent national dlsoruers py
admission .of loyal members from the States
now excluded from Congsess, by allaying doubt
and apprehension, would turn capital, now
awaiting an opportunity for investment, into
the channels Of trade and industry, 1t would
alleviate the present troubled condition of those
States, and by inducing emigration, aid in the
settlement Of fertile regions now uncultvated,
and lead to an increased production of those sta
Piles 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
of war would be repaired, and all traces of our
domestic differences effaced from the minds of
our countrymen.
A Word OF Caution.
In our efforts to preserve "the unity of the
Government which constitutes us one people,"
by restoring the States to the condition which
they held prior to the Rebellion, we should be
cautious, lest, having rescued our nation from
perils of threatened disintegratton, we resort
10 consolidation, and, in the end, absolute des-
potism as remedy for the recurrence of SINH
lar troubles. The war having terminated, and
with il ali occasion for the exercise of power OF
doubtful constltutionality, we should hasten to
bring legislation within the boundaries pre-
the ancient landmarks established by our ia
theirs for the guidance of succeeding genera
exists, until changed by an explicit and au-
thentie act Of tn People is ,S SacrohIy i WHOLE vi
people, the distribution or modification of the
constitutional powers be, in any particular,
wrong, let IL be corrected by an amendment IN
the way in which the Constitution designates.
But let there be no change by usurpation; for''
it is the customary weapon by Which free
spoke these words to his countrymen, when,
followed by their love and gratitude, he
voluntarily retired from the cares of pub
lie 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 endear to his "countrymen the true princi-
pies of their Constitution, aud promote a union
of sentiment and action equally auspiclous to
their happiness and safety" Jackson held that
the action of the General Government should
appropriate duties, and justly and forciby
urged that our Government is not TO be main
tanned nor our Union preserved 'by invasions
of The rights and powers of the several States
In thus attempting to make our General
Stpepgth CONSISTS In 1eavne II indivduas and
States as much as possible to themselves; in
making itself felt, not in its power but in its
benefcence; not in its control, but in its protec
tion; not in binding the States more closely TO
the centre, but leaving each to move unob:
These are the teaching of men whose deeds
and services have made them illustrious. and
life have left to their country the rich legacy of
their example, their wisdom and their patriot
ism. Drawing fresh inspiration from their les
sons, let us emulate them in love or country
and respect for the Constitution and the laws.
Our Financial Status.
affords much information respecting the reve-
nue. and commerce of the country. His views
upon the currency, and with reference TO pro,
per adjustment of our revenue system, internal
as well as impost, are commended to the care
ful consideration of Congress. In my last an
nual message expressed my general views
upon these subjects, l need now only call at
tention to the necessity of carrying into every
rigid accountability, thorough retrenchment,
and wise economy. With no exceptional nor
of nan he
tion of our Revenue laws as will be consistent
with Ihe public faith, and the legitimate and
necessary wants of the Government.
The National Debt.
The report presents a much more satisfactory
condition of our finances than one year ago the
most sanguine could have anticipated. During
the fiscal year ending the Both June, 1865, the
last year of the war, the public debt was In
e s to sns 9R aG s' on S1 tSe s
day of October, 1885, it had been reduced to
$3.50 .3l0O06, the diminution, during period of
1866, and ending October 81, 1866, having been
S2O6,379,595. In the last annual report on the
ing the three quarters of the fiscal year ending
the 30th of June last, the debt would be in
ever il was reduced ss1 S6s sS7. the receipts of
the year having been SS9,90500 more, and the
expenditures $500 529 235 less than the estimates
Nothing could more clearly indicate than these
statements the extent and availability of the
national resources, and the rapidity and safety
with which, under our form OF Government,
great military and naval establishments can
be disbanded, and expenses reduced from war
to q peace footing. .s..
Receipts for the Fiscal Year.
During the fiscal year ending the 30th OF June,
1866, the receipts were S55S 032, ,620 and the eX-
penditures $500, $50 94O leaving an available sur
plus of S37, ,28l, $50 1t is estimated that the
cepts for the fiscal year ending the 30th June,
1867, will be $475,06l, 1886, and that the eXpendi
lures will reach the sum OF 3l64BO7S, leaving
in the Treasury surplus of S58 633, ,308. For the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1868, II is estimated
that the receipts will amount to S436, 1000 0OO and
that the expenditures will be S350,247 ,64l-show-
ing an excess OF $S5,752,359 IN favor OF the Go
vernment. These estimated receipts may be
diminished by reduction OF excise and import
duties;but after all necessary reductions shall
have been made, the revenue of the present and
of following years will doubtless be sufficient to
cover all legitimate charges upon the Treasury,
and leave large annual surplus to be applied
There seems now to be no good reason why
taxes may not be reduced Rs the country ad-
vances in population and wealth. and yet the
debt be exttnguished Within Che next quarter OF
Il century.
Secretary StautwN'sReport.
The report of the Secretary of War furnishes
valuable and important Information in refer
ence to the operations of his department during
The past year. Few volunteers now remain in
the service and they are being discharged as
rapidly as they can be replaced by regular
troops. The army has been promptly paid,
carefully provided with medical treatment, well
sheltered and subssted, and is TO be furnished
with breech-loading small arms. The military
strength OF the nation has been unimpaired by
the discharge of volunteers the disposition of
unserviceable or perishable stores, and the
retrenchment OF expenditures. Sufficient war
material TO meet any emergency has been
retained, and, from the disbanded volunteers
standing ready TO respond to the national call,
and concentrated.
Fortihcations on the coast and frontier have
received, or are being prepared for more power
ful armaments; lake surveys and harbor and
river improvements are in course of energetic
prosecution. Preparations have been made for