The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1866-12-05
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Reported Expressly f;ss. Clarion.
{ Continued from First Page

to an increased production of those staples
which have added SO greatly TO the wealth
of the nation and to the commerce OF the
world New fields Of enterprise would be
opened to our progressive people, aud the
devastation Of war would be repaired and
all traces of our domestic differences cilaced
from the minds of our cOuntrymen In our
forts to preserve that unity OF government
which constitutes us as one people. by re-
storing the States TO the relation which they
held prior to the rebellion, we should be
cautious lest having rescued our nation from
the perils of threatened dlslntegratlon, we
resort to arbitrary means and i'll the end
have absolute despotism as a remedy for a
recurrency of similar trouble. The war haV-
ing terminated and with it all occasion for
the exercise of powers of doubtful constitu-
tiOnality, we should hasten to bring leglsla-
ton within the boundaries prescribed by the
Constitution and to return to the ancient
landmarks established by our fathers Tor
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 strictly obligatory
on all. If in the opinion of the people the
distribution or modification OF the c0nstltu-
tional powers be in any particular wrong,
let it be corrected by an amendment In the
way in which the Constitution designates,
but let there be no change by usurpation, for
governments are destroyed. Washington
spoke these words to his countrymen when
followed by their love and gratitude, he vol
UNFAIRLY receded from Che cares of public
life. To keep all things within the pale of
our constitutional powers and cherish the
federal union as the only way to safety,were
prescribed by Jefferson as rules of action to
endear to his countrymen the true princi-
pies of the Constitution, and promote a
union of sentiment and action equally aus
pici0us to their happiness and safety. jack
son held that the action Of the general gov
eminent should always be strictly confined
to the sphere Of its appropriate duties, and
justly and fOrcibly urged that our govern
ment is not to be maintained, nor our union
preserved, by inYaSlOnS OF the rights ana
powers Of the several States. In thus at
tempting to make our general government
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 50 much III It's power as III Its
benefcence-notin its control but in its pro-
tection-not in buinding the States more
closely to the centre, but leaving each to
move unmolested in its proper constitutional
orbit These are the teachings of men
whose deeds and services have made them
illustTious, and who have long since with
drawn from the scenes of life, and have left to
their country, the rich legacy of their exam
ample, their wisdom and their patriotism.
Drawing fresh INSPIRATION from their lessons
let us emulate them in our love of country
and respect for the constitution and the
laws.
The report of the Secretary of the Treasu-
~ affords much information respecting the
revenue and commerce of the country. His
views upon the currency and with reference
to proper adjustment of our revenue syS-
TEN, internal as well as import, are com
mended to careful consideration of Congress
In my last annual message | expressed my
general views upon these subjects | now
only call attention to the necessity, to carry
out every department of the Government to
a system of rigid accountability, thorough
Tetrenchment and a wise economy with no
exceptional nor unusual expenditures. The
oppressive burdens can be lessened by such
a modification of our revenue taxes as will
be consistent with the public faith and the
legitimate and necessary wants of the gov
eminent. 1t presents much more satiStac-
tory condition of our finances than one year
ago the most sanguine could have anticipa-
ted During the fiscal year ending the Both
June, 1865, the last year of the war, the
public debt was increased S941 ,902, 537 and
on the 3Ist October, 1865, it amounted to
s.. TAG, 854 $50; on the 3lst day October,
1866, it had been reduced to S2,551 100000
The diminutiOn during period of fourteen
months commencing Sept 1st, 1865 and
ending Oct. 3lst, 1866, having been S28, &c.,
sos.
On the last annual report on the state of
finances, it was estimated that during the
three-quarters of the fiscal year ending 3Oth
June last, the debt would be increased
Sll2, 194, 947. During that period, however,
it was reduced S3I, 196, 387-the receipts of
the year having been SIS, 905, 905 more and
the expenditures 500, ,235 less than the
estimates. Nothing can more clearly indi-
cate than these statements the extent and
availability of the national resources, land
the rapidity and safety with which, under
our form of government, great military and
naval establishments can be disbanded and
expenses reduced from a war to a peace foot
ing.
During the fiscal year ending Both June,
1866, the receipts were S55S, 032 620, and the
expenditures $500, $50, 940-leaving an avail
able surplus of $37 PSI $50. 1t is estimated
that the receipts for the fiscal year ending
Both June, 1867 will be 1916, 061 1856; and that
the expenditures will reach the sum of $3l6,
428 ,078-leaving in the treasury a surplus of
sos, 633 ,308 For the fiscal year ending June
30, 1868, it is estimated the receipts viii
amount to $4,000, coo and that the expeudi-
lures viii be S350, 247 ,69I-showing an excess
of $50, 1872, 359 in favor of the Government
The estimated receipts may be diminished
by the reduction Of duties, but after all the
necessary reductions shall have been made,
the present revenue ofthe present and fol-
lowing years VIII doubtless be sufficient to
cover all charges on the Treasury, and leave
a large surplus to be applied to the payment
of the principal debt.
There seems now to be no good reason
why taxes may not he reduced as the coun
try advances iii population, and the debt be
eXtinguished within the next quarter of
century.
The Rport of the Secretary of
War furnishes valuable and important in
formation in reference to the operations of
his Department during the past year. Few
volunteers nowremain in the service. and
they are being discharged as rapidly as they
can be relieved by regular troops. The ar
my has been promptly paid, carefully pro-
vided with medical treatment we'll shell
tered and subsisted, and is to be furnished
with breech-lOading guns and small arms.
The military strength of the nation has
been unimpared by the discharge of vol
unteers. In the disposition ofunserviceahla
stores and the retrenchment ofexpenditures
sufficient war material to meet dancer has
been retained, and from the disbanded vol. |
unteers ready to respond to the national
call an army can be raised, organized and
equipped Preparations have been made for
the payment of additional bounties as an |
thoriZed by the recent session of CONGRESS- |