The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1868-12-17

the expenditure so far shows that the
cost for the whole year will be in excess
of 93,OO0,OOO, if no reductions are
made.
In the navy considerable reduction
has beou effected. There are AZ yes
sells, carrying All guns, in six squad
rons which are established in different
parts of the world. The total number
of vessels in the navy is FOG, mounting
1743 guns. Eighty-one vessels are in
use. The number of enlisted men in
the service is 5000. A more thorough
survey of the North. Pacific Ocean is
advised. The naval pension fund
moiety of the proceeds of the sale of pri.
zes during the war-amounts to sl4,'
100000. The expenditures of the De.
partmcnt during the last fiscal year were
$50, ,l20394, and the estimate for the
ensuing year $20,993,4l4.
The restoration of postal service in
the Southern States, and the opening Of
new routes, has made necessary de-
fciency appropriation of s74l, ,446.-
The restored and new routes AMOUNT,
within the last two years, to $4,000
miles.
The President says that the media
ton of the United States between Bra
zil and Paraguay has been without ef-
feet, and details the circumstances at
tending the controversy between Mr..
Washburn and President Lopez as in
volving the right of asylum. Lopez
charged Mr.. Washburn with completely
| in iusurrection and treason. Accord
ing to the statement of the latter two
United States citizens attached to the
legation were seized and imprisoned
and tortured by Lopez. Mr.. McMahon,
the successor of Mr.. .Washburn, has
been ordered to investigate the whole
subject. attended by proper naval
force to to sustain such demands as the
the occasion may require, and to vindi-
cate the rights Of tie United States
citizens referred to, and of any others
who may be exposed to danger in the
theatre of war"
Negotiations are pending with view
to the survey and construction of a ship
canal across the Isthmus of Darien, and
the result is hoped to be submitted du
RUG the present session. The Presi-
dent has been obliged to ask for explain
alton and satisfaction for national inju-
ries committed by the President of
Hayti. The unhappy condition of the
entire West Indies, except Cuba and
Porto Rico, has been followed by pro-
found popular conviction in favor of
republican governments and an entire
desire to secure them. The attempt,
however, to establish republics meets
with many obstacles, growing out of the
old habits of dependence on European
monarchical powers.
While we have, says the President,
professed a decided unwillingness that
any part of this continent, or of its ad-
iacent islands, should be made theatre
for a new establishment of monarchical
power, too little has been done by us
on the other hand to attach the COM
munities by which we are surrounded
to our own country, or to lend even a
moral support to the efforts they so con-
stantly made to secure republican in
stitutions for themselves. Our recent
and present example may check the
growth of free principles, and make
these communities dread government
which consigns to military dominion
States which are integral parts of our
Union, and which, while resisting any
attempt by other nations to extend to
this'hemisphere the monarchical insti-
tutions Of Europe, establishes over a
portion of its own people rule moro
harsh and tyranuical than any known
to civilized powers.
Alaska was acquired to extend ma
tional jurisdiction and republican prin-
ciples. A treaty has been made with
the King of Denmark for the purchase
St. Thomas and St. Johns with the con-
sent of their inhabitants, and is still un-
der consideration by the Senate.
The President says that national pol
icy seems to sanction the acquisition
and incorporation of the adjacent con-
tinental and iusu!ar communities as
speedily as it can be done, peaceably,
lawfully and without any violation of
national faith or honor. The govern
ment will before long find it necessary
to send some effective aid to the solu-
ton of the problems kept before the
world in St. Domingo. The time has
arrived when direct proposition for
its annexation would receive the con-
sent of the people and Of foreign ma
tions. There is no danger in extend
ing our area. The principles of free
government as embraced in our consti-
tuition would prove ofsuficient strength
to comprehend the civilized nations of
Europe.
To every man there are many, many
dark hours-when he feels inclined to
abandon his best enterprise; hours when