The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-12-06
ripht of representation will be no stronger

makes it the duty of the President to recon-
mend to the consideration OF Congress- such
measures as he shall junge necessary or expe-
dent" / know of no measure more lmper-
| atively demanded by every consideration OF
national interest, sound policy, and equal
Justice than the admission OF loyal members
from the now unreprcscnted States. This
would consummate the work of restoration,
and exert a most salutary influence in the
re-estahiishment OF peace, harmony, and fra
tcrnal feeling 1t would tend greatly to re-
new the confidence of the American people
in the vigor and stability of their institu-
tons 1t would bind us more closely to-
yether as nation, and enable us to show to
the world the Inherent and recuperative
power of Il Government founded upon the
will of the people, and established upon the
principles OF liberty, justice, and intelligence.
Our increased strength and enhanced pros
petty would irrcfragabv demonstrates the
failacv of the arguments against free instltu-
lions drawn from our recent national dlsor-
ders by the enemies of republican govern
ment The admission of loyal members from
the States now excluded from Congress, 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 pres
ent troubled condition Of those States, and,
by inducing emigration, aid in the settlement
of fertile regions now uncultlvated, and lead
to 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 he opened to
our progressive people, and soon the devas-
lotions of war would be repaired, and all
traces of our domestic differences eftaced
from the minds OF our countrymen.
In our efforts to preserve the unity of
Government which constitutes us one peo
pie" by restoring the States TO the condition
which they held prior to the rebellion, we
should lie cautio,lS lest having rescued our
nation from perils OF threatened di$integr;i
ton, we resort to consolidation. and in the
end absolute deSpotiS;n. is Il remedy tor the
recurrence of similar troubles. The war hav-
ing f. minated, and with it all occasion for
til exercise OF powers of doubtful constltu-
tionality, we should hasten to bring legisla-
ton within the boundaries prescribed by the
Constitution, and to return to the ancient
landmarks established by our fathers for the
guidance OF succeeding generations. THE
Constitution which at any time exists, until
changed by an explicit and authentic act OF
the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon
ALL IT, in the opinion of the people, the
distribution or modification of the constitu-
tional powers be, in any particular. wrong,
let it he corrected by 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 Governments are destroyed" Washing
ton spoke these words to his countrymen,
when. followed by their love and gratitude,
he voluntarily retired from the cares of pub
lie life . To keep in all things within the
pale of our constitutional powers, and cher
ish the Federal Union as the only rock of
safety" were prescribed by Jefferson as rules
of action to- ende;r to his countrymcn the
true principles Of their Constitution, and
promote a union OF sentiment and action
equally suspicious TO their happiness and
safety" Jackson held that the action Of the
General Government should always be strict
" confined to the sphere of its appropriate
duties and Justly and forcibly urged that
our Government is not to be maintained nor
our Union preserved ''by invasions of the
rights and powers OF the several States. In
thus attempting to make our General Gov
erament strong, we make it weak. Its true
strength consists in leaving individuals 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
protection; not in binding the States more
closely to the centre, but leaving each to
move unrestricted in its proper constitu-
tional orbit These are the teachings of
men whose deeds and services have made
them illustriOuS, and who, long since with
drawn from the scenes of life, have left to
their country the rich legacy Of their exam
pie, their wisdom, and their patriotism.
Drawing fresh inspiration from their lessons,
let us emulate them in love of country and
respect for the Constitution and the laws.
The report of the Secretary OF the Treasury
affords much information respecting the rev.
enue and commerce of the country. His
views upon the currency. and with reference
to a proper adjustment of our revenue sys-
dcd to the careful consideration of Congress.
In my last annual message l expressed my
general views upon these subjects. l need
now only call attention to the necessity of /
carrying into every department of the Gov
ernment II system of II gid accountability,
thorough retrenchment and wise economy.
With no exceptional nor unusual eXpendi-
lures, the oppressive burdens of taxation can
be leSsened by such IL modification of our rev.
enue laws as will be consistent with the pub
lie faith. and the legitimate and necessary
wants of the Government.
The report presents much more satisfac-
tory condition of our finances than one year
ago the most sanguinc could have anticipa-
ted. During the fiscal year ending the Both
June, 1865, the last year of the war, the pub |
lie debt was increased $941 9O2 537 and on |
the 31st of October, 1866, it amounted to
So, 740. 1914, $50. On the 21st Of October 1866 |
it had been reduced to $2,551 ,310, O06, the !
during a period of fourteen
months, commencing September 1, 1865, and |
ending October 81. 1866, having been $780, |
379.565. In the last annual report on the |
state OF the finances, it was estimated that |
during the three quarters of the fiscal year
ending the Both OF June last, the debt wo&lld |
be increased SIP, 1914, 947. During that pc
Rod, however, it was reduced $31. 196. 1877, |
the receipts of the year having been $780, |
905,905 more, and the expenditures $780,
529,235 less than the estimates. Nothing |
could more clearly Indicate than these state
ments the extent and availability of the ma
tional resources and the rapidity and safety |
with which, under our form of government,
great military and naval establishments can
be dlsbanded, and expenses reduced from a
war to peace footing.
During the fiscal year ending the 3Oth of
June, 1866, the receipts were sos, O32, 500, !
and the expenditures $500, 75O, $40, leaving |
an available surplus of $37, 2s1 $50. 1t is
estimated that the receipts for the fiscal year
ending the both June, 1867, will be $475,-
O61, 1856, and that the expenditures will reach
the sum of 1916 ,328,O7s, leaving in the Treas
,1rv curp1uc Of SS e2o 2O0 For tho fc