Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-12-06

ton for this could not happen when the Constitu
ton and the laws enforced by vigilant an6
faithful Congress. Each House is made the "judge
of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its
own members, and may, with the concurrence OF
two-thirds, expel member. When Senator OF
Representative presents his certificate of election
he may at once be admitted or rejected or, should
there be any question to his eligibility, his Gre
dentiais may be referred for investigation to the
appropriate committee. II admitted to a seat, it
must be upon evidence satisfactory to the House
of which he thus becomes member, that he pos
sesses the requisite constitutional and legal quail
lticatlons. Ii refused admission as member for
want of due allegiance to the Government and
returned to his constituents, they are admon1shed
that none but persons loyal to the United States
will be allowed voice IN the Legislative councils
OF the Nation, and the political power and moral
influence of Congress are thus effectively eXerted
III the interests of loyalty to the Government and
fidelity to the Union. Upon this question, SO vi
| tally affecting the restoration of tue Union and
the permanency of our present form Of govern
ment nv convictions, heretofore expressed, have
undergone change but, on the contrary their
4 correctness has been confirmed by reflection and
time. If the admission OF loyal members to seats
in the respective Houses of Congress was wise and
eXpedlent year ago, it IS less wise and eXpe-
! dent now. If this anomalous condition is right
now-if, i'll the exact condition OF these States at
the present time, it is lawful to exclude them from
representation, do not that the question will
be changed by the etfux Of time. Ten years hence,
if these States remain as they are, the right of
representation will be Interchangeable right of
exclusion will be weaker.
| The Constitution of the United States makes it
the duty of the President to recommend to the
consideration of Congress such measures he
| shall judge necessary or expedient." L know of
no measure more imperatively demanded by eve
~ consideration Of Irrational interest, sound policy.
| and equal justice, than the admission OF loyal
members from the now unrepresentcd States
This would consummate the work of restoration.
and exert a most salutary influence III the re-es-
Enlistment Of peace, harmony and fraternal feel!
ing 1t would tend greatly to renew the confidence
of the American people i'll the vigor and 5ility
| of their institutions. 1t would bind more close
| ly together as nation, and enable us to show to
| the world the inherent ana fecupcfatlVe power or
| a Government founded upon the Will Of the peO-
pie, and established upon the principles of hber-
ty, justice, and intelligence. Our increased
strength and enhanced prosperity would lrrCraga-
! bly, demonstrate the fallacy Of the arguments
| against free Institutions drawn from recent
national disorders by the enemies of republican
! government. The admission OF loyal members
from the States now excluded from Congress, by
| alaying doubt and apprehension, would turn
/ capital, awaiting an opportunity for invest
ment. into the channels of trade and industry II
would alleviate the present troubled condition of
| those Suites, and, by Inducing emigration, aid in
the settlement Of fertile regions uncultivated
and lead to an increased production OF those sta
pies 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 pro-
gressYe people, and soon the dGvastatiOnS of war
would b. repaired, and all traces of our domestic
differences Ctlaced from the minds If our country
men.
In efforts to preserve the unity of Govern
ment which constitutes us one people, " by restor-
ing the State to the condition which thCv held
priOr to the rebellion, should be cautious, lest,
having rescued our nation from pcrs of threaten
ed diSILtCgratiOn, resort TO consolidation, and
III the end absolute despotism, as remedy for the
recurrence OF similar troubles. The war having
terminated, and with 1t all occasion for the
/ else Of powers of doubtful constitutiOnaity, 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 gCncr-
atoms Tho Constitution which at any time
exists, until changed by explicit and authentic
act OF the Whole people, Is Sacredy obligatory
upon all If i'll the opinion of the people, the
distribution modification of the constitutional
powers be, III anys particular, wrong, let 1t be cor
| rected by an emGndmant III the way i'll which the
Constitution deslgnatCS. But let there be no
change bysusurpation for sit 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 fsOm the cares Of public
life. go keep III all things within the pale OF
our constitutional powers, and cherish the Federal
Union as the only rock Of safety, were prescribed
by JEFFERSON rules of action to endear to his
''cOuntrymen the true principles oftheir Constitu-
| ton, and promote q union of sentiment and &C
ton equally suspicious to their happiness and
safety JACKSON held that the action of The General
/ Government should always be strictly confined tC
the sphere of its appropriate duties, and Justly and
forcibty urged that OEr Government is not to be
maintained nor 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 1t weak. Its true strength
consists in leaving individuals and States as Iauc
as possible to themselves in making itself felt
not in its power, but IN its bCneicienco; not Ill
its cont oil, but III its protection; not III binding
the States more closely to the centre, but leaving
each to move unobstructed in its proper cOnstitu
tsOnai orbit. These are the teachings of men
whose deeds and services have made them illus
triOus, and who, long since withdrawn from the
scenes OF life, have left to their country the rich
legacy of their example, their wisdom, and tn cir
patriotism. Drawing fresh inspiration from THEN
lessons, let emulate them III love of country
and respect for the Constitution and the laws.
| The report of the Secretary of the Treasury at
fords much information respection 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 well
as impost, commended to the careful consldera-
ton Of Congress. In my last annual message
| expressed my general views upon these subjects.
need now only call attention to the necessity OF
II carrying into every department Of the Govern
ment a IS stem Of rigid accountability thOrOuGhrt-
trenchmcnt, and wise economy. With no cXcep-
tional nor unusual expenditures, the oppressive
burdens OF taxation can be Iessened by such a
modification of our revenue laws as will be con
sistent with the public faith, and the legitimate
and necessary wants Of the Government.
The report presents Il much more satisfactory
condition Of our finances than one year ago the
most sanguinc could have anticipated. During
the fiscal year ending the 30th of June, 1865 the
last year Of the war; the public debt was increased
SOIL 903 537. and ON the 3lst Of October, 1865, il
amounted to 3, 100. On the 31st day OF
October 1866 it had been reduced to s. SOL ,319
COG, the ,iiulinution. during period of fourteen
months, commencing September l. 1865, ant
ending October 81 1866, having been 500, 379, 565
In the last annual report the state of the
finances. it vas estimated that during the three
. quarters Of the fiscal year ending the 3Oth o
June last, the debt would be increased SIP, 1914,
9i7. During that period, however, it was REDUCED
81 1876 1851, the receipts of the year having beer
SO sos 905 more, and the expenditures $2OO, 529,
235 less than the estimates. Nothing could more
= clearly Indicate than these statements the eXtCn
ard availability Of the national resources and the
; rapidity and safety with which, under our form Q
government, great military and naval establish
III. nt., can be disbanGed, and expenses reduced
f! from war to peace footing.
!, DuIing the fiscal year ending the seth of June
1866, the receipts sos, OBJ. G20, and the cX
, penrlitures 1920, 100 $40 leaving available sur
plus of S37 2Sl $50. 1t is estimated that the re
Z ccipts for the fiscal wear ending the JUth june
1867, viii be ST., GGl, 1856, and that the cApendl
lures viii reach the of 1916, 428,0IS, leaving
c IN the Treasury surplus of Sl5S, 63320S For tin
fiscal year ending June 80, ISIS, it Is estimated
that the receipts will amount to $43G, 10000 ALI
that the expenditures will lie 500 III, 6li-show
ing excess of SIS ~, $50 in favor of the Gov
; eminent. These estimated receipts may be dlmln
ishcd by reduction OF excise and import duties
5 bnt after all necessary reductions shall lave beer
" made the revenue OF the present aud of follow IN
years viii doubtless be sufficient To al lc
= .,itimatc charges upon the Treasury, and leave
To a t,tb