Tri-weekly phoenix. [volume] ([Columbia, S.C.]) 1865-1875, 1871-12-09

SESS "AsA d IeIteIutlOu OIL Lu0 DOl1CY
announced AM, in his inaugural message.
|Iihe policy has been not to inquire into
the wisdom Of the laws already enacted,
out to learn their spirit and intent, and
to enforce them accordingly"-a senti-
ment which, if literally adhered to,
would preclude tue Executive from MAX
ing many useful recommendations for
the repeal or modi dification of laws found
to be bad. The exceptional calamitiea
by fro and flood which have marked the
pastiyear. nnd which have led to the dis
play OF so much active beneyolenco and
generous sympathy ut homo and abroad,
receive appropriate mention, while the
year is recognized to have been, 'tunder
wise Providence. one of general pros
perity to the nation"
Under the head Of foreign relations,
tue country Is properly congratulated
upon the beneficial, effects likely to re-
suit from the treaty of Washington,
Doth as settlement Of our differences
with Great Britain. and us AN example
to the world how wars may bo avoided
without sacrifice Of national honor.
Credit is given to our diplomatic and
consular agents at Paris for the manner
in which they have performed their de-
licate duties without wounding tile sus-
|oeptibilitios of French or Germans dur
ing the trying scenes in France of the
past twelve mouths.
Some surprise will doubtless be felt to
ind NJ. Cataoazy elevnted to tho dignity
OF q national grievance, and the purely
personal. difficulties between that obnox-
!ous envoy and the administration ut
washington deemed worthy of place
III the Prcsldent's message. In former
cases, such as those of citizen Genet,
aurlng the administration of Washing
ton, and OF MIR. CraMptou, during the
Crmean war, it was tho violation of law
rather than of personal or diplomatic
properties, which incurred tho censure
OF the Executive, and which was brought
to the attention of the nation. Refer
ence ls made to the diplomatic. failure in
Corea, and to the success achieved by
admiral Rodgers over u semi barbarous
people, and the whole subject is left
.'lor such action as Congress may sec fit
to take" .,..I,
The abolition of slavery by Brazil is
made the subject Uf presidential oongra-
tulatlon, and the enactment by Congress
or stringent law is recommended to
reach the case Of American citizens who,
IN their business dealings with planters
and others i'll countries whero sluvery is
still tolerated by law, may become inter
ested as mortgages or otherwise in this
species of property. The rumors which
have been rife Of pending difficulties
with Spain, and possible intervention in
the affairs OF Cuba, find no countennnce
IN what Is said III the message upon these
heads.
Turning from foreign to domestic
affairs, the first and most important re-
Of the message is, that
both the tariff and internal laws be mo-
diied, with view to tightening the
burdens at present imposed upon the
country. 1t is recommended that "all
taxee from internal revenue sources be
abolished, except those collected from
Ispirituous. vinous and malt liquors, to-.
bacco in its various forms, and from
stamps" which amounts to tacit re-
commentator to abolish tho income tax
In any re-adjustment Of the tariff, it is
recommended that those articles not pro-
duced at home, but which enter largely
into general consumption through mcdi-
cinos, compounds. &c., aud from which
little revenue is derived, should be placed
on the free list, and that should fur
ther reduction be deemed advisable, it
lshould be made upon those articles
which can best bear it without disturb
ing home production or reducing the
labors of American labor" This latter
recommendation hns the merit Of being
SO exceedingly general, that it probably
will give no offence even to the most
ardent protcctionsts. For particulars
upon this hoad, Congress is referred to
the report of the Secretary of the Trca-
sury. The fluctuations in the currency
are deplored, and the wisdom of Con-
Igress is invoked to find remedy. which
ls the nearest the President comes to
showing any concern upon the subject of
specie payments. The messnee reite.
rates the condemnation heretofore pro.
nounoed hy tho Secretary of the Trea-
sury upon this present infamous system
fof moieties to informers in the revenue
servine Of tho country-a system Which.
while condemned in theory, is said in
practice, however, 10 flourish exceed.
iingly.
LII the navy, the employment OF super
nnmerary officers in the merchant SER
vice, las in England aud other coun-
trios,j and that promotion above the
rank OF captain be made by selection,
instead OF seniority, (as ut present, seem
to DO recon- mmendations worthy the at
tention OF Congress. The plan Of uniting
Inc telegraph service with tho ordinary
postal service of tho county is urged
upon tho hefavorable consideration of Con
gress, as recommended by the Postmns-
ter-General. The revenues Of tho de-
partment continue to improve.
The measures taken for tha onr,roo
ment OF the lku 1llux law are next re-
viewed. The proclamation of October
IL IS justified, upon tho ground that the
requirements Of the proclamation Of Oc-
tober IL, requiring the members Of un-
lawful combinations within live days to
surrender call their arms. ammunition