The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1866-12-12

! Keep in all things within the pale of o,
constitutional powers, and cherish the fe
eral union as the only rock of safety, wei
prescribed by Jefferson as rules of actor
to endear to his countrymen the true pril
ciples of their constitution, and promote
union of sentiment and action equally SUI
picious to their happiness and safety.
Jackson said that the action of the ger
eral government should always be strictl
confined to the sphere of its appropriat
puties and justly and forcibly urged tha
our government 10 not to he maintained
nor our union preserved, by invasions {
the rights and powers of the several states
In thus attempting to make our genera
government strong, we make it weak.
is true that strength consists in leaving in
dividuals and states a. much as possible t
themselves-in making itself felt, not i,
its power, but in its benefcence-not il
binding the states more closely to the cen
tre, but leaving each to more unobstructet
actions in its proper constitutional orbit.
These are the teachings of men who's
deeds and services made them illustrious
and who, long since withdrawn from tn
scenes of life, have left to their country tn
rich legacy Of their counsel, their wisdom
and patriotism. Drawing fresh inspira
ton from their lessons, let us emulat,
them in love of country and respect for tn,
constitution and the laws.
The report Of the secretary of the treas.
ury affords much information respectins
, the revenue and commerce of the country
His views upon the currency, and with
reference to proper adjustment of oul
revenue system, internal as well as impos,
are commended to the careful considera
ton of congress. In my last annual mes
sage l expressed my general views upon
these subjects. l need now only call at
tentlon to the necessity of carrying into
every department Of the government, q
system Of rigid accountability, thoroug
retrenchment and wise economy. With
no exception to so universal expenditures
the oppressive burdens of taxation can be
lessened by such modification of our rev.
eaue laws as will be consistent with the
public faith and the legitimate and neces.
sary wants of the government. The re.
port presents much more satisfactory
condition of our finances than one yeal
ago the most sanguine could haye antici
pated.
During the fiscal year ending June 80
1865, the last year Of the war, the public
debt was increased 1851, ,9O2, ,537, and or
the 3lst of October, 1865, it amounted to
50, TAO, ,S54, $50. On the 3lst day of Octo
Der, 1866, it had been reduced to $2,55l,
80 O,OO6, the diminution during q period o.
Is months, commencing Sept. l, 1865, and
ending Oct. 81, 1866, having been S2O6,
379,695. In the last annual report on tn,
state of finances, it was estimated that, du
ring the three-qHarters of the fiscal yeal
ending the 3Oth Of June last, the debt woulC
be increased Sll2, 1884, ,N7. During tha
period, however, it was reduced So 1856,
3S7, the receipts of the year having beer
$S9, ,9O5, ,9O5, and the expenditures $500,
539, ,235 less than the estimates.
Nothing could more clearly indicate than
these statements the extent and available
ity and safety with which, under our form
Of government, great military and nava
establishments saB Rs abapsaboRGae Gaeaaee ED dool 81
ing. During the fiscal year ending 3Otl
of June, 1866, the receipts were S55S, ,O32,
629; the expenditures $500, $50. $40, lcavin
an available surplus of S37, ,2Sl $50. 1t
estimated that the receipts for the tisca
year ending the 3Oth Of June, 1866, vii
be S475, ,66l, 1856, and that the expendi
lures will reach the sum of 1916, ,42S, O7S
leaving in the treasury surplus of Sl5S,
633, ,3OS. For the fiscal year ending jun
80, 1868, it is estimated that the receipt
will amount to $436, ,OOO, 900, and that tn
expenditures will be $3.50, PAT GAL, shown,
an excess of $s5,752, ,359 in favor of tn
government. ..
These estimated receipts may be dimin
ished by a reduction Of excise and impor
duties; but, after all necessary reduction
shall have been made, the revenue of tn
present and following years will doubles
be sufficient to cover all legitimate charge
upon the treasury, and leave large annu
al surplus to be applied to the payment q
the principal of the debt. There seem
now to be no good reason why taxes ma
not be reduced as the country advances i
population and wealth, and yet the debt b
extinguished within the next quarter Of
century. a = @
!. The report of the secretary of war furr
ishes valuable and important infOrmatio
in reference to the affairs of his departmcu
during the past year. Few volunteers n
main in the service, and they are bein
discharged as rapidly as they can be n
placed by regular troops. The army h'
; been promptly paid, carefully provide
with medicinal treatment, we'll sheltere
and subsisted, and is to be furnished wit
breech-loading small arms.
The military strength Of the nation ha
been unimpaired by the discharge Of vo
unteers. By the disposition of unservice,
ble or perishable stores, and the retrencl
ment Of expenditure, sufficient war materi
to meet any emergency has been retained
and from the disbanded volunteers stant
!. ing ready to respond to the national ca
large armies can he rapidly organized
equipped and concentrated.
Fortifcations on the coast and fronti'
have received or are being prepared f
; more powerful armaments. Lake surve,
: and harbor and river improvements are
course of energetic prosecution.
Preparations have been made for IL
: payment of the national bounties autho
lied during the recent session of congres
: under such regulations as will protect Il
: government from fraud and secure to Il
D honorably discharged soldier the we
9 earned reward of his faithfulness and 6.
lantry.
q More than 5000 MANNED soldiers ha
}. received artificial limbs or other seryiceat
!, . apparatus. ast@ aaa. "a. .
Forty-one national cemeteries, contai
ing the remains of lO4, ,526 union soldier
\ have already been established. .s
The total estimate Of military approp
! ations is $25, ,205, 500.
d 1t is stated in the report Of the secreta
!. of the navy that the naval force at Il
!. time consists of 278 vessels, armed wi
!. 2,35l guns. Of these. lis vessels, cur,
= ing l,O29 guns, are in commission, distr
d uted chiefly among seven squadrons: I
y number of men in the service is l3 600.
d Great activity and vigilance have be
'e displayed by all the squadrons, and tn
\, movements have been judiciously and .
j. ciently arranged in such manner