The union Democrat., 1868-12-19
Presidents Message.

The last Annual Message of President
johnson has been received in full. Ii is too
long for our columns, and hence we shall con-
tent ourselves with giving comprehensive
synopsis OF the Observation-Disclosures for our
reaoers to understand all its points. The
President Is strong, sensible, aud patriotic,
IN his arguments against the Reconstruction
measures, so-called, and forcibly points out
ther impolicy. as well as sunconstitutionahty.
In his estimation they have not only been in
conflict with the general and spirit of our iu-
stitutions, but have contributed immensely
to retard the progress and prosperity of the
NatIon......The Tenure of Office Act, and
kindred measures, he cot ceives to be calcula-
ted to hinder the execution of the laws
and to increase corruption and peculation
among executive othcers-a very natural con-
cuson. 1.-The financial condition of the
country is very bad. In 1860 the expenses
of the National Government amounted TO only
- for each person in the country, whereas in
1869 they will amount to 1918 for each indi-
vidual composing the population. That is,
every man, woman, and child in the country
must earn and pay taxes to the extent of over
three dollars for each working day, in order
to keep the wheels of Government on the
move. This exhibit. made frcm the reports
and estimates Of different departments of
Government, as administered under present
laws, is astounding-almost petrifying II
every person in the Nation should labor for
the ordinary rate of wages paid common
aborers, the aggregate amount they would
earn, to say nothing Of their board, lodging,
and clothing, would not be enough to pay the
expenses of the National Government alune-
saying nothing of the cost of City, County,
and State Governments. In lS49, the year
after the termination of an expensive war
with Mexico, we found ourselves involved in
a debt of Sol 100000, and this was the
amount owed by the Government in 1860.
Just prior to the outbreak of the Rebellion.
In the Spring of 1861 our civil war commenc-
ed, and each year of its continuance made an
enormous addition to the debt, and when, in
the Spring of 1865, the Nation successfully
emerged from the conflict, the obligations of
the Government had reached the immense
sum of 50 ,S73, ,992, 900. The Secretary of the
Treasury shows, that on the first day of
November, 1867, this amount had been re-
duced to s., 49l ,504, 450, but, at the same
time, his report exhibits an increase during
the past year of S35, ,625, l02, for the debt on
the first day of November last is stated to be
s., 527 100 $50. 1t is estimated by the Secre.
tary that the returns for the past month will
add to our liabilities the further sum of $ll, :.
0OO,OO making total increase during the
thirteen months of SAG 500, 900. 80. Generally
our Foreign Relations are in a happy condi
tion the exception being ''little unpleas
antness'' in regard to Paraguay, which it is
not expected will amount to much and in
the conduct of those negro Republics-Hayt
and San Domingo. The President hopes that
negotiations between the United States and
Great Britain will result satisfactorily.
There are many questions in dispute, and
none of thec, have been definitely settled =.
The President renews his recommendation
that the President of the United States and
United States Senators be elected directly bv
the people, and that the terms of Judges Of
United States Courts be limited