Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-12-11


the devastations 0fi'war would be repaired, :
! and alLtracesso our domestic differences eff
faced from the minds of our, countrymen. ca.
70 IHi CO1tsOt ltioitIto be Apoiiea,
o,ln our efforts ito preserve ,,tsthe, unity, of
GoVernment which constitutes us one people. -
by restoring the States to the conditionwhic
they held prior to7the. rebellion, we should,
be cautious, lest, having rescued our nation
from perils of threatened disintegration,4w
resort to consolidation, and in the end abso-
lutte despotlsm. as aremedy for the recurrence
of similar troubles. The war having termi-l
mated, andiwith, it all occasion for the exer,
else of powers of doubtful constitutionality,
we should hasten to bring legislation within.
the boundaries prescribed by the Constitu-.
tion, and to return to the ancient landmarks
established bytour fathers for theguidance; of
succeeding generations. "The Constitution
which at any time exists, until changed by;
anrexplicit 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 correct
ed by an amendment in the way, in which the
Constitution designates. But let thare be no
change bysusurpation for" sit is the Gus,
tomaryl weapon by, which free Governments
are destroyed = Washington spoke these
words to his countrymen. when; followed by
their love and, gratitqde,. he Yoiuntarih re-
tired from. the cares Of, ,publielifei i.To keep
IN ALI things within the pale, of our eonstitu-
tional powers, and cherish the Federal Union
as the only rock, of safetySii were prescribed
by Jefferson as rules of action to endear to
hisS'countrymen the true lprinciplesofs their
Constitution, and promote arunion 7ofr senti-
ment and action equally sauspicious to their
happiness and safety jackson held that
the action of the General Government should
always be strictly confined to the sphere of
Its appropriate duties, and justly and forcibly
urged that our Government is not to be main
tanned nor our Union preserved Shy invasions
of the rights and powers of the several States.
In thus attempting to make our General Gov
eminent strong we make it weak It's true
strength consists 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 pro-
lection not in binding the States more close
ly to the centre, but leaving each to move
unobstructed in its proper constitutional or
bit. 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. Wis
dom, and their patriotism Drawing fresh
inspiration from their lessons, let US emulate
them in love of country and respect for the
Constitution and the laws
.aaaT Export IF Secre,ury of Treasury. |
The report of the Secretary of tie Treasury
affords much information Respecting the rev
enue and commerce Of the. country gHis
views upon the currency, and with reference
to proper adjustment of our revenue system:
internal as we'll as impost, are commended to
the careful consideration of Congress In nv
last Annual Message expressed my general
views upon these subjects. need now only
call attention to the necessity of CARRYING into
every department of the Government a sys-
tenn ofrigid accountability thorough retrench-
nient, and wise economy. With no excep.
tional nor unusual expenditures. the oppressive
burdens OF taxation can be lessened by such
modification of our revenue laws as will be
consistent with the public faith, and the le
gitiuiate and necessary wants of the Govern
ment. +, a.t, -...-
The report presents much more satisfac-
tory condition of our finances than one wear
ago the most sanguine could have ANTICIPATED.
During the fiscal year ending the Both June,
1868, the last year of the war, the public
debt was increased S941, ,902, ,537, aud on the
3lst of October, 1855, it amounted to 50, ,740.-
S54,150. On nlthe 31st day of October, 1866,
it bad been reduced to S2,551 ,31O, ,O66, the
dlminution, during period of fourteen
months, COMMENCING September /. 1865, and
ending October 81, 1866, having been S2O6.
3T9, $685. lin the last annual, report onrthe-
state of the finances, it was estimated that
during the three quaters of the fiscal year
ending the Both of June last, the debt would
be increased $l12, ,l94,947.'5a During that
period, however, it was reduced S3I196, ,s87,
the receipts of the year having been $50 .g05. :
9O5 more, and the expenditures 5000. .529.
235 less than the estimates Nothing could
more clearly indicate than these statements
the extent and availability of. the national
resources, and the rapidly and safety with
which, under our form of government, great
military and naval establishments can be dis.
banded, and expenses reduced from a war to a
peace footing. -
During the fiscal year ending4the 3Oth OF
June, 1866, the receipts were 1858. .O32. $50
and the expenditures S520,750, ,940, leaving
an available surplus Of s37 ,2SI $50. 1t is
estimated that the receipts for the fiscal wear
ending the Both ofJune, 1867, willbe S475,-
O6l 1856, aud that the expenditures will reach
the sum of S316 ,428,0TS, leaving in the
Treasury surplus of Sl5S, ,633, ,30S. For
the fiscal year ending june 80, 1868, it is
estimated that the receipts will amount TO
5000, 600; and that the expenditures will
be S35O, ,24T,6 651-showing an excess Of $685.
I52, ,359 in favor of the Government. These
estimated receipts may be diminished by a
reduction of excise and import duties but
after all necessary reductions shall have been
made, the revenue of the present and of follow
ing 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
taxes may not be reduced as the country