Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1866-12-07

lean people in the vigoF and stability
Of their institutions. It would bind
US more closely as a nation, and enable
US to show to the world the Inherent
and recuperatIve power of a Govern
ment founded upon the will of the
people, and established upon the prin-
eiples Of liberty, justice, and intelli-
genCe- Our increased strength and
enhanced prosperity would IrrefTaga-
bly, demonstrate the fallacy of the ar
guments against free Institutions
drawn from our recent national disor-
ders BY the enemies Of republican gov
eminent. The admission Of loyal
members from the States now exelud-
ed from Congress, by allayIng doubt
and apprehension, would turn capital.
now awaiting an opportunity for in
Vestment, 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 uncultivated, and 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 be
opened to our progressive people, and
soon the deyastations of war would be
repaired, and all traces of our domes-
tic differences effaced from the minds
of our c0uutrymeu.
In our efforts to preserve the unity
of 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 disintegration. we
resort to consolidation, and In the
end absolute despOtism, as a remedy
for the recurrence of similar troubles
The war having terminated, and with
it all occasion for the exercise of pow
ers of doubtful constitutionality, we
should hasten to bring legislation with
in the bOUndrIes prescribed by the
Constitution, and to return to the an
cient 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 az IF in the opinion of the
people, the distribution or modification
of the constitutional powers be. in
any particular, wrong, let 1t be correct
ed by an amendment IN the way IN
which the Constitution desiguates.
But let there be no change by usurpa-
tiOn for 1T is the customary weap-
on by which free Governments are de-
stroyed. Washington spoke these
words to his cOuntrymen, when,
followed by their love and gratitude he
voluntarily retired from the cares of
public life To keep IN all things
within the pale of our constitutional
powers, and cherish the Federal Uni
on as the only rock of safety" were
prescribed by Jefferson as rules of ac-
ton to endear to his "eountrymeu the
true principles of their Constitution.
aud promote a union of sentiment and
action equally auspicious to their hap
piness and safety" jackson held that
the setiou of the General Government
should always be strictly confined to
the sphere Of It's 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 seve-
raj States. In thus attempting to make
our General Government strong, we
make It weak. Its true strength con-
sists in leaving individuals and States
as much as possible to themselves in
making itself 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 Its proper constitutional orbit. :"
These are the teachings of men whose
deeds and services have made them IL
lustrlous, and who, long since with
drawn from the scenes of life, have
left to their country the rich legacy of
their example, their wisdom, and their
patriotism. Drawing fresh inspira-
ton 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 re
spectIng the revenue and commerce of
the country His views pom the cur
reney, and with reference to a proper
adjustment Of our revenue system, in
ternal as well as import, are commend
ed to the careful consideration of Con-
gress. In my last annual message I
expressed my general views upon these
subjects. | need now only call atten-
tentlOn to the necessity of carrying in
to every department of the Govern
meut a system of rigid accountability.
thorough retrenchment, and wise econ
Omy. With no exceptional nor unu-
sual expenditures, the oppressive bur
dens of taxation can be lessened 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.
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 of June,
1860, the last year of the war, the
public debt was increased $941, ,902, ,537,
and on the 3lst of October, 1865, it
amounted to $2,740, ,S54, $50. On the
31st day of October, 1866, it had been
reduced to g, ,551 ,310006, the dimin-
utiOn, during a period of fourteen
months, commencing September 1, 49,
65, and ending October 81. 1866. hav-
ing been SOC, ,379, ,565. In the last an
nual report on the state Of the fnan-
ces, 1t was estimated that during the
three quarters of the fiscal year end
ing the 3Ota of June last, the debt
would be increased &112, ,1o4,01 Du-
ring that period. however, it was re-
duced S3l ,I96,3S9, the receipts of the
year having been $89. .905, ,905 more.
and expenditures $500, ,529, ,235 less
than the estimates. Nothing could more
clearly indicate than these statements
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 disbanded, and
expenses reduced from a war to a peace
footing.
During the fiscal year ending the
Both of June, 1866, the receipts were
1858, ,032, $50, and the expenditures
$500, ,740, $40. leaving an available sur
plus of S37, ,281 $50 1t is estimated
that the receipts for the fiscal year
ending the Both June. 1867, will be
$475, ,061 1856, and that the expendi-
lures will reach the sum of s3I6. .428,- 1
078, leaving IN the Treasury a surplus
of Sl58, ,633. .308. For the fiscal wear
ending June 30, 1868, it Is estimated