Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-12-11

! the commerce OF the world. New fields OF en-
terprises would be opened to our progressive
people, and soon the deyastations of war would
be repaired, and all traces of our domestic DIFF
ferences ehaced from the minds of our country
| men. ad
| CONSOLIDATION TO BE AVOIDED.
~ In our efforts to preserve the unity of Gov
ernment which constitutes us one people," by
restoring the States to the condition which they
held prior. to the rebellion, we should be eau
tious, lest, having rescued our nation from per
| lis of threatened disinteglation, we resort to
| consolidation, and in the end absolute depotism,
as a remedy for the recurrence of similar trou-
bles. The war having terminated, and with it
all occasion for the exercise of powers of doubt
| full constitutionality, we should hasten to bring
| legislation 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 Con-
stitution which at any time exists, until changed
by an explicit and authentic act of the whole
people, is sacredly obligatory upon all. - IF,
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 Constitu-
ton designates But let there be no change by
usurpation; 10" ''it is the customary weapon
by which free Governments are destroyed. -
Washington spoke these words to his country
men, when, followed by their love and gratitude,
he voluntarily retired from the cares of public
life. ITO keep in all things within the pale Of
our constitutional powers, and cherish the Fed
eral Union as the only rock of safety" were
prescribed by Jefferson as rules of action to en-
dear to his 'countrymen the true principles of
their Constitution, and promote a union of SEN
timent and action equally auspicious to their
happiness and safety" jackson held that the
action of the General Government should al
ways be strictly confined to the sphere of its ap-
proprate 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 Govern
ment strong we make it weak. Its true strength
consists in leaving individuals and States as
much as possible to themselves; in making it
self 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 unobstructed in its
proper constitutional orbit These are the
teachings Of men whose deeds and services have
made them ilustrious, and who, long since
withdrawn from the scenes of life, have left to
their country the rich legacy Of their example,
their wisdom, and their patriotism. Drawing
fresh inspiration from their lessons let us emit
late them in love of country and respect for the
Constitution and the laws.
REPORT OF SECRETARY OF TREASURY.
The report of the Secretary of the Treasury
affords much information respecting the revenue
and commerce Of the country. His views upon
the currency, and with reference to proper ad-
iustment of our revenue system, internal as we'll
as impost are commended to the careful consl-
deration of Congress. In my last Annual Mes
sage [ expressed my general views upon these
subjects [ need now only call attention to the
necessity of carrying into every deHartment of
the Government a system of rigid accountable
ty, thorough retrenchment, and wise economy.
With no exceptional nor unusual expenditures,
the oppressive burdens of taxation can be les
sened by such a modification of our revenue
laws as will be consistent with the public faith,
and the legitimate and necessary wants Of the
Government ~ 4
The report presents much more satisfactory
candition of our finances than one year ago the
most sanguine could have anticipated During
the fiscal year ending the 30th of June, 1865,
the last year of the war, the public debtwas in
creased $941 800, ,537, and on the 3lst Of Octo-
ber, 1865, it amounted to 50, 740, ,o54, ,537, and
on the 3lst day of October, 1866 it had been
reduced to S2s55l ,310,066,a the diminution, du-
ring a period of fourteen months, commencing
September LIST, 1865, and ending October 81,
1866, having been $2O6, 379, SOS. 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 30th Of June last, the
debt would be increased SIP, 1874, 947. During
that PERIOD however, it was reduced $31, 1885,
1856, the receipts of the year having been $780,
905, ,905 more, and the expenditures 5000, 529,
235 less than the estimates. Nothing could
more clearly indicate than these statements the
extent and availability the national resources,
and the rapidity and safety with which, under
our form OF government, great military and ma
val establishments can be disbanded, and ex-
penses reduced from war to peace footing.
During the fiscal year ending the 30th Of
june 1866, the receipts were 1858, ,032, $40, and
the expenditures $500, $50, $40, leaving an avail
able surplus of 1881, $780, 1t is estimated
that the receipts for the fiscal year ending the
Both of June, 1867 will be $475, ,06l 1856, and
that the expenditures will reach the sum of
1916, 6,426, ,07S, leaving in the Treasury surplus
of $l5S, ,633, 30S For the fiscal year ending
June 3Oth, 1868, it is estimated that the re-
ceipts will amount to $780, 100000, and that
the expenditures will be $3.50, ,247 ,641--showlng
an excess of $S5, 752, $50 in favor of the Gov
ernment. These estimated receipts may be di-
minished 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
to the payment of the principal of the debt
There seems now to be no good reason why the
taxes may not be reduced as the country adyan-
ces in population and wealth, and yet the debt
be extinguished within the next quarter of
century.
REPORT OF SECRETARY OF WAR.
The report of the Secretary Of War furnishes
valuable and important information in reference
to the operations of his Department during the
past year Few volunteers now remain in the
service, and they are being discharged as rapid
ly as they can be replaced by regular troops =
The army has been promptly paid, carefully
provided with medical treatment, well shelter
ed and subsisted, and is to be furnished with
breech-oading small arms. The military
strength of the nation has been unimpaired by
the discharge of volunteers, the disposition of
unserviceable OF perishable stores, and the re-
trenchment of expenditure. 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 Fortiications On the coast and
frontier have received, or are being prepared
for more powerful ornaments; lake surveys
and harbor and river improvements are in course
of energetic prosecution Preparations have
been made for the payment of the additional
bounties authorized during the recent session of
Congress, under such regulations as will protect
the Government from fraud, and secure to the