Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-12-06

strong, we MAKE IL WOah. AeS ei"S
consists in leaving individuals and States as
much as possible to themselves; in making IT.
self felt not in its power, but in its benehcence;
not in its control, but in its protection; not IN
binding the States more closely to the center,
but leaving each to move unobstructed IN us
proper constitutional orbit" These are the
teachings of men whose deeds and services have
made them illustrious, and who, long since
withdrawn from the scenes of life, have lett to
their country the rich legacy of their example,
their wisdom, and their patriotism. Drawing
fresh inspiration from their lessons, let us emu
late them in love of country and respect Tor the
Constitution and the laws.
The report of the Secretary of the treasury
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
full consideration of Congress. In my last an
nual message expressed my general views up
ON these subjects. / need now only call atten-
ton to the necessity of carrying into every de-
partment of the Government system OF rigid
accountability, thorough retrenchment, and
wise economy. With no exceptional nor unu.
sual expenditures, the oppressive burdens Oh
taxation can be leSsened by such modlflca-
ton of our revenue laws as will be consistent
with the public faith, and the legitimate and
necessary wants of the Government.
The report presents much more satisfactory
condition of our finances than one year ago the
most sanguine could have anticipated. During
the fiscal year ending the SOth June, 1865, the
last year of the war, the public debt was IN
creased S941 ,902, 537, and the 3lst OF October,
1865. it amounted to 81, 740, 1854, $50. On the
Slst October, 1866, it had been reduced to 81
551, 3lO,O 66, the diminution, during period OF
fourteen months, commencing September l.,
1865, and ending October 81, 1866, having
been S206, 500. In the last annual report
on the state of the finances, it was estlmatei
that during the three quarters of the fiscal year
ending the 30th of June last, the debt would
be increased S112, 1914, 947. During that perl
cd, however, it was reduced SSl, l96,3S7, the
receipts of the year having been S69,9O5,9O5
more, and the expenditures 5000, 529, 2S5, less
than theestimates. Nothing could more clear
" indcatethan 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 estab-
hshments can be disbanded, and expenses re-
duced from a war to peace footing.
During the fiscal year ending the SOth OF
June. 1866. the receipts were S558, 032, 500,
and the expenditures $500, 750, $40, leaving an
available surplus of S37, 2S1 $50. 1t is estima-
ted that the receipts for the fiscal year ending
the 9Oth June, 1867, will be S475, O61 1856, and
that the expenditures will reach the sum of
1916. ABS, 07S, leavingin the Treasury surplus
of Sl5S, 633, 30S For the fiscal year ending
June so, 1868, it is estimated that the receipts
will amount to S436, 000, 900, and that the ex-
pendtures will be $3.50, 247, 64l-showing an
excess of $50, 752, 1853 in favor of the Govern
ment. These estimated receipts may be dlmin-
ished by a reduction of excise and import du-
ties; 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 Urea
sury, and leave large annual surplus to be
applied to the payment of the principal OF the
debt. There seems now to be no good reason
why taxes may not be reduced as the country
in population and wealth, and yet the
debt'be extinguished within the next quarter
of a century.
Tie report of the Secretary of War furnishes
valuable and important information in refer
ence to the operations of his Department dur
ing 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 subsisted and is to be furnished
with breach-loading small arms The military
strength of the nation has been unimpaired by
the discharge of volunteers, the disposition OF
unservicable or perishable stores, aud the re-
neutrality-suspicious. Sufficient war ma
terial to meet any emergency has been retained
and from the disbanded volunteers, standing
ready to respond to the national call, large ar
mics can be rapidly organized, equipped, and
concentrated. Notifications on the coast and
frontier have received, or are being prepared
for more powerful armament; lake surveys and
harbor and river improvements are in course of
energetic prosecution. Preparations have been
made for the payment of the additional boun-
ties authorized during the recent session of Con-
greSs, under such regulations as will protect
the Government from fraud, and secure to the
honorably discharged soldier the well-earned
reward of his faithfulness and gallantry. More
than six thousand MANNED soldiers have receiv-
ed artificial limbs or other surgical apparatus;
and forty-one national cemeteries, containing
the remains of 104, 526 Union soldiers, have al
ready been established The total estimate Of
military appropriations is $25 ,2O5669.
1t is stated in the report of the Secretary of
the Navy that the naval force at this time con-
sistS of two hundred and seventy-eight vessels,
armed W. 49, thousand three hundred and
ffty-one ...- OF these, one hundred and
fifteen ves> Is, carrying one thousand and TWEEN
ty-nine guns, are in commission, distributed
cheflyan ong seven squadrons. The number
of men in the service is thirteen thousand six
hundred. Great activity and vigilance have
been displayed by all the squadrons, and their
movements have been judiciously and efficiently
arranged in snch manner as would best promote
American commerce, and protect the rights and
interests of our countrymen abroad. The ves-
sells unemployed are undergoing repairs, or are
laid up until their services may be required -
Most of the iron-cad feet is at League Island,
in the vicinity of Philadelphia, place which,
until decisive action should be taken by Con-