The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-12-07

isite constitutional and legal qualiaaations II
refused admission rs a'meuiber for want OF due
allegiance to the Government, and returned to
his constituents, they are admonished that
. none hut persons loyal to the United States
will be allowed voice In the Legislative Coun.
Gil Of the Nation, and the political power anu
moral innuen;s Of Congress ore thus effective.
ly exerted In the interests OF loyalty !. 'he
Government and fidelity to the Union. Upon
this question, % vitality affecting the restora-
ton OF the Union and the permsnency oil our
present fornSOf government, my CONVERSIONS,
heretofore fsxpresei, have undergone no
change but, on the contrary, their correct
ness has been confirmed by reflection ami time.
II the admission VI 10y nj members to-s seats In
the respective Houses OF Congress was wise
and eIpedient year ago. II 10 no less wise and
expedient now. II this anomalous condition
Is right now-if, In the exact condition OF these
States OF tho present time, II Is lawful to ef-
clude them from representation, do not see
that the question will be changed by the efiiux
OF time. Ten years hence. II these States re-
maiBas they are. the right Of representation
r will be no strouger-the right Of exclusion will
be no weaker. IT.' - -" IN ' ..H'
The Constitution Of the United States makes
Il duty Of the President To recommend To the
consideration Of Congress " such measures as
4, he shall judge neosssary or expeiieht. -.
know Of no measure more imperalively de.
smauded By every consideration of national
interest, sound policy, and equal justice. than
the admission Of loya members from the now
unrcpresntcd States. This would consunl-
mate the work OF restoration. and exert most
sslutary influence in the re establishment Of
peace, harmony, and fraternal feeling, IL
wunid tend greatly to renew the cOnhdeDte of
the American people IN the yigor and stability
Of their institutions. II would bind us more
closely together ms nstioh, and enable Us to
show to the world the inherent apd recnpera.
tive power Of Government founded upon the
will Of the people, and established upon the
principles OF liberty, justice and intelligence.
Our increased strength and enhanced prps-
perity woi,d irrefragably demonstrate the al
lacy Of the arguments against free institutions
drawn from our recent. national disorders by
. the enemies Of republican government. The
admission OF loyal members from the States
now excluded from Congress, by allaying
doubt and apprehension, would turn capita,
now awaiting an opportunity for investment,
into the channels Of trade nnd Industry. II
would alleviate the present troubled condition
OF those states. and, by inducing emigration,
all In the settlement of fertile regions now un-
cultivated, and lead tn IN increase production
OF those staples which lave added 80 greatly Ia
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
devas.atons of war would be repaired, and all
traces Of our domestic differences eifaced from
the minds Of our countrypen. .r..
70 srAT. RIGHTS.
. In our efforts to preserve "the unity Of Gov
erument 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 rssSuod our nation from
Ia ~ naI Iisit ,tnu in snrf
to consolidation. and in the end absolute dcs-
potism, ~ remedy for the recurrence az sim
liar troubles. The war having terminated, and
with II all occasion for the exercise Of powers
q Of doubtful cOnstitutionality, we should hasten
ID bring legislation within the boundaries pre-
bed by the Constitution, and to return to
the ancient landmarks established by our ia
theirs f6r the guidance of Succeeding genera
: tions. "The Constitution, which at any time
exists, until changed by nm explicit and anthem
tic act of the whole people, Is sacredly obliga-
tory. upon ALL" "lf, in the opinion Of the
people, the distribution or modification Of the
constitutional powers be. IL any particular,
wrong, let IL be corrected by an amendment Ia
the way which the Constitution desi1nates."
But let there I've no change by usurpstion; for
at Is the customary weapon By which free
Governments are destroyed" Washington
spoke these words TO his countrymcn, when,
unfairly retired from the cares Of public life.
''fo keep In all things within the pale 0f the
constitutional powers, and cherish the Federal
Union rs the only rock Ut safety" were pre-
scrihed by Jefferson Ms rules Of action To endear
to his "countrymen the true principles Of their
Constitution, aud promote n union Of senii-I
mont and action equally suspicious To their
happiness and safety" Jackson held that the
action OF the General Government should al
he sNxtos
appropriate duties, arb justly ahd k'r,bly
urged that our Government Is not to be main
tanned nor our Union preserved ''by invasion
Of the rights and pnwers nf the several States.
In thus attempting to make our General Gov
eminent strong, we make II weak. Its true
strength consist in leaving individuals and
States as much as possible to themselves; In
making itself felt, not In its power, but In It's
heuefcsnce: not In lite coutrol, but in its pro,
lection; not 10 binding the State more closely
to the centre. but leaving each to move unob
structed in, its proper constitutional orbit"
These are the teachings Of men whose deeds
aud services have made them ilntrlous, and
who, long since withdrawn from the scenes
OF life. have left to their country the rich leg
acy Of their example, their wisdom. ami their
patriotism. Drawing fresh inspiration from
their lessons, let US emulate them In love Ui
country and respect for the Constitution and
Tue NATIONAL FINANCES.
The report OF the Secretary Of the Treasury
affJrds much information respecting the reve
nue. and commerce of the country. His views
upon the currency, and with reference to q
proper adjustment Of our revenue system, in
ternal rs we'll Ms impOst, are commended to the
careful consideration OF Congress. In my last
annual message expressed my general views
upon these subjects. need now only call ut
teniion to the necessity Of carrying into every
department Of the Government q system OF
rigid accountability. thorough retrcnchment,
and wise economy. With no exceptional nor
unusual expenditures. the. Oppressive burdens
Of taxation can be lessened by such moliica
ton Of our revenue laws rs will be consistent
with the public faith, and the legitimate aud
necessary wants Of the Government.
The report presents much more satisfacto
ry condition OF our finances than one year ago
the most sanguine could have anticipated. Dur.
ing the fiscal year ending the 30,h June, 1855,
the last year OF the war, the public debt was
increased S9il .002 1887. and on the 3lst " Oc-
tober. 1868, II amounted To 50, no, s5i $50. On
the 3lst day Ut October, 1866. it had been re-
duced to 81, a5l $40 .006, the diminutiOn, dur
ing period Of fourteen months, commencing
September I. 1865, and ending October 81,
1866, having been 5000 $40 500. In the last
annual report on the state of the finances, IL
was estimated that during the three quarters
of the fiscal year ending the 30th Of June last,
the dept would bcincreasel Sii2 1912. Dur.
ing that period, however. Il was reduced sci ;!
l9d,3S7, the receipts of the year having been
$50 .905, 903 more, and the expenditures 5000,
$40, 235 less than the estimates. Nothing
could more clearly indicate than these state
ments the extent and availability Of the nation
nj resources, md the rapidty ami safety with
which. under our form If government, great
military anil naval establishments can be dis
banded, AMI expenses reduced from a war to a
peace footing. u TEL '.'l f..
During the fiscal year ending the 3Oth Of
June, 1860, the receipts were S55S ,032 geo
and the expenditures $500, 75o, 9t0, leaving an
available surplus Of S37. 2si, ESQ. 1t Is esti.
mated that the receipts tor the fiscal year emil
ing the 3oth June. 1887, will be SI75. 06i 1896,
and that the expenditures will reach the sum
Of 1916 .i2s .07s, leaving in the Treasury a sur
plus of Si5s $3.50, 30s. For the fiscal year end.
NJ June 30, 1868, II Is estimated that the re.
ceipts amount to St3G, 900 900. and tina, the