The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1867-12-14

sorted 10 only as the last remedy for the worst
OF evils. Whatever might tend to prevent it
should be most carefully avoided. faith
ful and conscientious magistrate will conced e
very much to honest error, and something
even to perverse malice, before he will endan-
ger the public peace, and he will not adopt
furcIble measures, or such as might lead to
force, as long az those who are peaceable re
main open TO him or his constituents.
It Is true that cases may occur in which the
Executive would be compelled to stand on his
rights and maintain them, regardless of all
consequences. IL Congress should pass an act
which is not only in palpable conflict with the
Constitution, but will certainly, if carried out
produce immediate and irreparabIe injury TO
the organic structure of the government, and
If there be no judicial remedy for the wrongs
1t inflcts, nor power in the people to pro-
tect themselves without the official aid of their
elected defender; if, for instance, the legisla-
tive department should pass an act, even
through all the forms of law, to abolish a CO.
ordinate department of government, in such
a case the President must take the high re-
sponsibilities of his Office and save the life of
the nation at all hazards The so-called re-
construction acts, though as plainly unconsti-
tutional any act that can be imagined,
were not believed to be within the class last
mentioned.
The coordinate branch" referred to
means the President, and the contingency
means in case of his impeachment. That
under which force would be resorted to
of course, in his eyes, is of paramount
importance to the absolute slavery" of
twelve million people. but it weakens
his argument very much. Upon the
question of negro suffrage he says, in
conclusion:
of all the dangers which our nation has yet en-
counteTed, none are equal TO those which must re-
suit from the effort now being made to Afrieanize
the half of our country. would not put consider
aliuns of money in competition with Justice and
right but the expenses incident to reconstruction
under the system adopted by Congress, aggravate
what regard as the intrinsic wrong of the meas
ure itself 1t has cost uncouuted millions already
and IL persisted in will add largely 10 the list of
taxation already too oppressive to be borne without
complaint, and may finally reduce the treasury of
the nation to a condition of bankruptcy. We must
not delude ourselves. II will require a strong
standing army, and probably more than two hun
dred million dollars per annum To maintain the .
premaUy of negro governments after they are
established. The sums thus thrown away would If
properly used, form sinking fund large enough
Z" pay the whole national debt in less than fifteen
years. Ii is vain to hope that negroes will main
tain their ascendaDcy themselves without military
power.
saw is worse than lost if 1t be placed un-
der the protection of free constitution. Instead
Of being as IL ought to be, source of wealth and
honor, il will become an intolerable burden upon
the veal of the nation. Another reason for re-
tracing our steps viii doubtless be seen by Con-
gress in tine late manifestations of pnblic opinion
uHOn this subject. We live in country where the
popular Will always enfOIces obedience to ITSELF
sooner or later II is vain TO think of opposing it
with anything short of legal authority. backed by
overwhelming force. Ii cannot have e~caped Your
attention that from the day which Congress
fairly and Formally presented the pr position to
govern Southern States by military force with n
cry expression of the general sentiment has been
more or less adverse to il.
Ii gives me pleasure to add that, the appeal TO
our common constituents was not made in vain
and that my confidence in their wisdom and virtue
seems not TO have been misplaced
Which very gratifying deduction is
made, doubtless, from the tact that ne
groes now vote in eight Northern States,
and Andrew Johnson is repudiated by
both parties. In regard to finances, the
President says there are $700,000,-
600 of paper money now in circulation
an increase of $500, 100000 since the be-
ginning of the rebellion. He urges a re-
turn to specie payment, but does not
suggest any definite plan for its accom-
plishment. In regard to the public debt
he says, " A sound currency should be
restored and the public faith in regard
to the national debt be sacredly OBJ
served"
On the 3Oth of June. 1866, the public debt
amounted to 81 7S3 42s s7g. On the BOT June
last it was 81. 692, 1872 2l5, showing reduction
during the fiscal year of s9l S26 66f. During the
fiscal year ending June 30th, 1867. the receipts
were 81 goo $40. .010, and the expenditures S346,'
729 % leaving available surplus of Sl42,
GOA $50. IL is estimated that the receipts for the
fiscal year ending June Both, 1868, will be S4l7,
16l, 92s and that the expenditures will reach the
sum of S393. 269, 226, leaving in the Treasury a
surplus of S2J s92'702. For the fiscal year ending
June Both, 1869 il is estimated that the receipts
will amount to S3s1, 900 600 and that the expend
lures will be e372, $50 600 showing excess OF
$4,000, 600, in favor of the government.
The report of the Secretary of War ad in
terem, exhibits the operations of the army, and o
the several Bureaus of thh War department. The
aggregate strength of our military force on the
30th of September last was 56,3l5. The total es
innate for military appropriations is so, ,l24 IU1
including deficiency in last years appropriations
Of Sl3 600, 900. The payments at the Treasury
en- account of the service of the War Department
from January 1st to October % 1867. period ol
ten months, amounted TO SlO9. sc. 600.
Indian affairs are mentioned only in
general terms, and reservations recon-
mended.
Inc amount Ao 10 pensioners ~ luoius Nhs
expenses of disbursement was $lS6, ,lsO,956 anc
36,5S3 names were added to tle rolls. The
entire number of pensioners on the 30th oi
June last, was l54, ,474, 600
Eleven thousand six hundred and fifty five
patents and designs were issued during the
year ending September 30th 1867, and at that
date the balance in the treasury TO the credit
of the patent funds was $2S6, ,e97 900.
The report of the Secretary OF the navy
states that we have seven squadrons actively
and judiciously employed, under efficient and
able commanders in protecting the persons and
property of American citizens; maintaining
the dignity and power of the government and
promoting commerce and the business interests
of our countrymen in every part OF the world
OF the 23S vessels composing the present navy
of the United States, Sc carrying 507 guns
are in squadron service. During the year the
number of vessels in commission has been re
duced IL and there are Is less squadron