The Constitution invests the
President with authority to decide
whether the removal should be made
in any given case; the act of Congress
declares in the substance, that he shall
only accuse suck as he supposes to be
tiuworthy of their trust. The
Constitution makes him aole judge in
tfie premises; but the statutes tikes
nvay his jurisdiction transfers it to
the Senate, and ' leaves him nothing
hut ' the odious and sometimes
4 At A
impracticable duty ot Becoming-a
pro-iectdor. The prosecution is to be
conducted before a tribunal- whose
members arc not, like him, responsible
to the whole pcoplce out to separate
constituent bodies, and who rrje.y hear
his accusation with great disfavor.
The Senate is absolutely -without any
known standard of decision applicable
to -ikli a Its judgement can-
! .. I,; r .'ltii-iputetl, for it is not gov
: ii i. ,i'iy rule. The law docs not
rloli.ie what shall bo deemed good
tauj for removal. It is impossible
i .v.-i to conjecture what nfay or may
not bo i considered by the Senate.
'IV mature of t!ic subject forbids e'enr
jiroof. If tho chir le in incapacity
what eviden ; will support it? Fidel
ity to th'; V.slitiitioii may bcunder-to(xWiiiIsiindi;i-'
id in a thousand dif
ferent ways, and !y violent party men,
in violent party times, unfaithfulness
to the Constitution may even come to
be considered meritorious. If the of
ficer be accused of dishonesty, how
shall it be made out? Will it bo in
ferred from acts unconnected with pub
lic dutv, from private history, or from
general reputation ? Or must the
President await the commission of an
actual misdemeanor in ollice? Shall
he, in the meantime, risk the charac
ter and interest of the Nation in the
hands of men to whom he cannot give
his confidence? Must ho forbear his
dnint until the mischief is done I
and cannot lie prevented ? If his zeal
in the public service should impel him
to anticipate the overt net, must he
move at the peril of being tried him
self for tho offence of slandering his
subordinate? In the present circum
stances of the country, some one must
be held responsible for oflieial delin
quency of every kind. It is extreme
lv difficult to .say where that responsi
bility should be thrown, if it be not
left where it has been placed by t'ie
CoiiKitution. lint all just men will
admit that tho President ought to be
entirely relieved from such a respousi
Vilitv, if he cannot meet it by reason
of restrictions placed by law upon his
action.
The unrestricted power of removal
from office .is a very great te to be
trusted oven to a Magistrate chosen by
the general suffrage of the whole pcop.?
arid accountable directly to them for his
nets. It is undoubedtly liable to abuse
and at some periods 'of our history
perhaps has been abused. If it be
thought desirable and Constitutional
that it should be so limited to make the
Prcsidentconimoninform(";,iiinstotli
er imlilic nirents. he should at least bo
permitted to act in that capacity before
' .. . . i .I . e
sumeopoii-tribunal independent oi par
ty polities, ready to investigate tne
merit ofeVcrv case, furnished with
the means of" ta1;ing evidence, and
bound to decid i ncwdinpf to estab
lished rule?. This would guarantee
the safety of the accuser when n' acts
in good iiiith, and at the same time e
(itro the rights of the other party.,
I speak of ourse with all proper re- j
ppeet for the piwnt Senate, but
it docs not seem to mo that any
l.K'i-d -'tiVe body can be so constituted
n- to i- -fitness for these func-
i" 'ii-
ii iioi -he theory of this Govern
w..ut shut p iblic offices arc the proper
tv oi'tb c wtio hold them. They are
;-ci. tuerelv tw' a trust for the public
b -netit, somofuuas for a fixed period
sumni'mc3 during" good behavior but
o"a.;ral!v thevnvc lialdc to be termin
ated at the p'leasure oftho appointing
jKiwer, vvliii-li r. preserits tlie collccijve
tiniM-n'lv mid nix!; the Will of tllO
people. The fiira'dTctcntioh in office
of a single dishonest portion may work
great injuiy to the public interests.
Tho danger to the public service comes
not from tlio power to remove, but
from the power ' to appoint,- There
fore it was that the framers of the Con
stitution left, the power of removal un
restricted, while they gaV? the Senate
a right to reject all appointmrnts which
in its opinion, wero not fit to be made.
A little reflection on tho subject will
prolwbly satisfy all w ho have the goou
ot this country nt near, tnai our oesi
course isto tike the Constitution for our
guide, walk in the path marked out by
the founders of the Republic, and obey
tlip ruins made sacred bv the Oiiserv-i,
anco of our ' predecessors.
Tho preseut ci nditioa of our finan
ces and circulating medium is one to
which your early consideration is in
vited. ." A ,. ',, ' v
, The proportion whic.li the curveucy
of any - country should bear to tho
whole value of the annual, produce
circulated by its means is a. question
upon which political economists have
not agreed.',,' Nor can it bo controlled
by legislation, but must be left to the
irrevocable laws which , everywhere
regulate commerce and trade.. , .The
circulating taediutn will ever irreaist--i
1 1 , a a ' .i : . 'i '1 "'j. ;
ouiynow to tuose poiuw wuqre iy -m
ereatest demand.. .The law of demand
and supply is as .unerring as that which
regulates the tides of . tne ocean,; and
inaoed,currency like' the tides, has ita
ebbs and .flows throughout ,'tho . com-
i j - -
inenaai worm., . . t , , :Vr
At th bee innipK of the rebellion
tht bank-note circulation of the coun
try amounted to not much, mora- ioi
two Jundred millions of dollar:, now,
the cireulaaoa of ffational Bank notes
and tkoe htuxwa m sflert'w
nearly so W)hondfe4 milUqns,, ..(Whye
tt is urged biwomthali uthw ?uhI
should be iua,ed othew..5oat)pd
that a decided re&wtion is absolutely
in;al in t!i best interests-of the
sounJtm - lo view f. Uesp; ilview
-vt '"
opinions, it may bp well to ascertain
the real value oi onr paper.issues, when
compared with the metallic or conver-
table currency. K or this purpose, let
us inquire how much gold and silver
could bo purchased by the seven hun
dred millions of "-inner money now iu
circulation ? V rohablv not r.orn t.hnn
half the amount of thelatta- ihotving
thnt when oar paper currency is com
pared with gold o'.;d silver, 'its com
Cic'rciul value VV compressed into three
hundred, find fifty millions. . This
srrlkiriir fact makes it the obvious du
ty ot the Government, as earlv as mav
be consistent with the principles ot
sound political economy, to take such
measures as will enable the holder of
its notes and those of Natioual Banks
to convert them without loss, into
specie or its equivalent. A reduction
of our paper circulating medium need
not noccssarinlly follow. This, how
ever, will depend on the law of de
mand and supply, though it should be
borne in mind that by making legal
tender and bank notes convertablc in
to coin or its equivalent, their present
specio valuo in the hands of their hold
ers would bo enhanced one hundred
per cent.
Legislation for the accomplishment
of a result bo desirable is demanded
by the highest public considerations.
The Constitution contemplates that
the circulating medium oftho connlry
shall be uniform in quality and value.
At the time of the formation of that
instrument, the country had just emer
ged from the War of the Revolution,
and was suffering from the effect of a
redundant and worthless paper curren
cy. The sages of that period were
anxious to protect their posterity from
the evils which they themselves, had
experienced. Hence, in providing a
'circulating medium, they conferred up
on Concross the power to coin money
mid regulate the valuo thereof at the
same tunc prohibiting trie stales iroin
making anything but gold and silver a
. .' i i . . . i o. . . r.
tender m payment ot dents,
The anomalous condition of our cur-!
rency is in striking contrast with that
which was originally designed. Girt'
circulation now embraces, first, notes
of the National Ranks, which are
made receivable for nil dues to the
Government, excluding imposts, and
by nil its creditors, excepting inpay
ment of interest upon its' -bonds and
the securities themselves; second, le
gal tender notes, issued by the United
States, and which tho law requires
shall be received hs well in payment
of all debts k-tween citixensnf all Gov
ernment dues, excepting imposts; and,
third, gold and silver coin. Ry the
operation of our present system of fi
nance, however, the metalic currency,
when collected, is reserved for only
one class of Government creditors,
who, holding its bonds, semi-annually
receive their iiiturust in coin from the
National Treasury. They are thus
made to occupy an invidious position,
which mav bo used to strengthen the
arguments of those who would brinf
into disrepute the oblivions of the
nation.' In the payment of all its
i r. xi. . . i:.. i ,. r
Itt'OIS loe iMig'iicu mini in mu wuvewi-
ment should be inviolably maintained.
Rut while it nets with fidelity towards
the bondholder who loaned his money
that the integrity of the Union might
be preserved, it should at. the same
time observe good faith with the great
masses of the people, who, having res
cued the Union from tho perils of -rebellion,
now bear the burdens of taxa
tion. ' that the Government mav be
able to fulfill its engagements. There'
is no reason which w ill be accepted as
satisfactory - by the people, why those
who defend us ori tlu; land and pro
tect us on the sea ; the pensioner on
thnrratitude of the nation, bearing the
scars and wounds received while in its-
service; the public servants in the
various Departments of the Govern!1
ment; the farmer who supplies,.; fhjj
army and the sailors of the navy.; ,the
artisan who toils in the nation's w ork
shops,' or the mechanics' and laborers
?ho bnild its cdifuies and - constructs
its fcits-'nnd' vessels of war should,
in payment of their just and hnrd earn
ed dues, receive depreciated -paper,
whi.'e another -class of "their "coil'Jtry
men to more deserving, are paid1 in
coin' of cold and 'silver;- 1 Equal and'
exact justice' requires that all the cre
ditors of the Government should be
paid in a currency possessing a nnifbrm
value. - This can only be accomplish
ed bv thc' restoration f the currency
to the standard established by the
Constitution; and by this means we
would remove a discrimination which
may, if it has not already done no, cre
ate" a prejudice which may b'iconic
deep footed and wide spread, r"ud im
peril the' national credit. ';'
The feasibility of.iriaklhg ott'r! ,;t,r"
rency correspond with 'jthc constitution-!
standard niay be seen by refer-!
ence to a few' facts derived . (j-om our
commercial statistics, ," , i ; , -,
Tlie production -of, precious metals
itf, the. United States, .from .'1849 to
185?,, ineiiisiyc, . Amounted to f 579,
000.000: from 185.8 to ',1800, inclu
sive, to $137,000,000 j and from 1861
to 1867, inclusive, to $457,500,000
makintrtuc ernnd .aircregato- ot
iro-
dvi44 since ;849i $.1,174,,900. ,he
amount of, specif cuipcd from ,1819 to
li5 V- incisive, wis J$439,OOO,OO0 ;
from 1858 to 'i860, inclusive , $1 25,
OO0,pOQ;,a'i.d..,,fro.in,186l tq 1867, in
clusivp,., aipOOOrrrnjakiiig . the
total ;coJuigo,,sinfic,4849, 874,000,
000. :.'From:1849,.to ,5.7, inclusive,
Uib:p'etxports;.bf :a'iHcie '.amounted to
8271,00q,000 from 1858 to,;1860, inf
ciuswe, ,to ..j8i43,00q,0O0; - an4 row
ifil, tol8C7, waive,,;$322,00040p0
-ualving tlaggrogateof actCTibxts
siuce UiXffl, 5i,yy)J,UUU. -..awese
tuurea allow an excess of ncoduct over
areASi Wq. rfiafUW tU,AKX0W iu
anka in nil aboui Rtfif)
Wiy,spmetuiuS,,,mof9 ,MmVWff
000 (iu cwulfitio.'pn (the pacific. Coat,
.n4 ., WL, A'dJipufl,,m. the .National
i n
.... &)e lb!fci)i!zbuvQ Hopubltcau, jrcbncsJJay, December II,' 1SCT.
account the specie in tho country prior
to 1810. '.caves more than three hun
dred millions of dollars which have
not been accounted lor by exporta
tion, and therefore may yet remain in
the country.
These are important facts, and show
how completely tho inferior currency
will supercede tho better, forcing it
from circulation among the masses,
and causing-it- to-be. exported as a
1 mere article of trade, to add to the
money capital of foreign lands. They
show the necesity of retiring our paper
money, that tho return of gold and
silver to the avenues of trade may be
invited, and a demand created which
will cause the retention at home of at
least so much of the productions of
our rich and inexhaustible gold bear
ing fields as may Iks sufficient for pur
poses of circulation. It is unreason
able to expect a return to a sound cur
rency so long as the Government, by
continuing to issue irredeemable notes,
fills tho channels of circulation -with
depreciated paper. Notwithstanding
a coinage bv our mints, since 1840, of
eight hundred and seventy-four mill
ions of dollars, tho people are now
strangers to tho currency which was
designed for their use anil benefit, and
specimens of the precious metals War
ing the national device are seldom
seen, except when produced to gratify
the interest excited by their novelty.,
I f depreciated paper is to be continued
as the permanent currency of the
country, and all our coin is to become
a mere' article of traffic, and specula-'
tion, to the enhancement in price of all
that is indispensable to the comfort of
the people, it would be wiss economy
to abolish our mints, thus saving the
nation the care and expense incident to
such establishments, and let all our
precious metals be exported in bullion,
flic time has ci.mc, however, when
the Government and National Ranks
should -he required to take the most
efficient steps and make all necessary
arrangements tor the resumption ot
specie payments at the cirliest prneti-
caiiie period.
. i
Specie payments having
been
by"
ment and Ranks, oil notes or bills of
paper issued by cither of a less de
nomination than twenty dollars should
by law be excluded from circulation,'
so that the people may have the bene
liUand convenience of a gold and silver
currency which in all their business
transactions will bo uniform in value
at home and abroad.
"Every man of property, of industry,
every man who desires to preserve
what ho honestly possesses, or to ob
tain what ho can honestly earn, has a
direct interest in maintaining n safe
circulating medium such a medium
as shall be real and substantial, not
liable to vibrate with opinions, not
subject to be blown up or blown down,
but be stable and secure. A disordered
currency is one of the greatest political
evils, it uuacrmmcs u;e virtuci
necessary to hc sunnort of tho social
systei
destr
stem, and encourages propensities
active of its happiness ; it wais
against industry, frugality, and econo
my, and it fosters the evil spirit of ex
travagance and speculation." It has
been asserted by one of our profound
anil n.ost gifted statesmen, that "of all
the contrivances for cheating the labor
ing classes of mankind, none has been
more effectual than that which deludes
them with paper money. This is the
most effectual of inventions to fertilize
the rich man's f elds by the sweat of the
poor man's brow. Ordinary tyramiy,
oppression, excessive taxation these
bear lightly on the happiness of the
mass of the community compared with
a fraudulent currency, and the robber
ies committed by depreciated paper.
Our own history has recorded for our
instruction enough, ami more than
enough of the demoralizing tendency,
jthc inju-tiee, and the intolerable op
pression on tho virtuous and well dis
posed, of a 'degraded paper currency,
authorized by law or in any way
countenanced by Government." It is
one of the most successful devices, in
times of peace or war, expansions or
revulsions, to accomplish tho transfer
of all the precious metals from the
great mass of the people into the hands
of the few'; w here they arc hoarded in
secret places) ' .or deposited iu strong
boxes under bolts and bars, while the
people are left to endure all tho incon-"
venience, sacrifice, and demoralization
resulting from tho use of a depreciated
and worthless paper money, . .
" Tho condition of our finances and
the operations of our revenue system
are set forth and fully explained in the
able and instructive report of the Sec
retary of the Treasury. On the 30th
of Juiie, 1866, the public debtamount
ed to $2,783,425,879 ; on'the 30th of
June Inst it was 82,692,1 99,215, show
ing a reduction during the fiscal vear
cf $91,226,664. During the fiscal
yer ending' June SOtli, 1867, the re
ceipts were 8190,634,010, and the ex-pcnditin-es
"f 34.0,729,1 29, leaving an
available surplus of $143,904,880. It
is estimated . that the receipts for the
fiscal year endh:g June 30, 1868, will
be $4 17,1 6 1,928, and that the expendi
tures will reach the ?um of $393,269,
226, leaving iu the Treasury a surplus
of !si23,892,'702.' For ti:o fiscal year
ending June 30, 1869, it i; estimated
that the receipts will amount to $381,
OQO,000,"nnd that tho. expenditures
will ,,bc $.72,000,000, : showing an
excess of jOOpXK) in favor of the
Gpvcrnmput, . , ' ;, , i' ' '
. The attention of Congress is earnest
ly .invited, to i the necessity of a thoro
ugh; revision of our revenue system.
Our inte-cpal rcyenuo Ijuys' nud impost
system should (be so adjusted as to bear
most heavily qnarticles of luxury, leav
ing the iiec8saries of life as free from
taxation, as may be consistent with the
rod wauls pf the Go vernment, eco
nomical Iy ,'.,adnin ifltcrcd. ,, Taxation
wuW not then fall uijdqly on tho man
of moderate lueans j and while npno
would,Le, iUire)y exempt from assess
ment,!, ,bi proportion to their pecu-.uiaryjaiglitwo-tU
coutributc toward
the support of tho State. A modifi
cation of tlio-internal reveuie system,
by a largo reduction in the mindicr ot
articles' now subject' to tat, 'Would be
followed by results equally advanta
geous to the citizen of theGovcrnment.
It Would render -the execution of the
law lesa expensive' and more certain,
remove obstructions to industry, lessen
the temptations to evade tho law,
diminish the violations and frauds per
petrated u;oii il-t provisions, make its
operations less inquisitorial, and great
ly reduce in numbers the army of tax
gatherers created by the system, who
"take from the mout of honest laW
the bread it has earned." Retrench
ment, reform, and economy, should le
carried into every -branch of the public
service- that the exiMmdituro of the
Government maybe reduced and the
people relieved from taxation ; a
sound currency should be restored, and
the" public fiiith in regard to the
national debt sacredly observed. The
accomplishments of theso important
results, together with tho restoration
of the Union of the States upon tho
principles ef the CoAstitution, would
inspire confidence at home and abroad
in the stability of Our institutions, and
bring to the, nation prosperity, peace
and good will. .
The report of the Secretary of War
ad interim exhibits the operations of
the army and of the several Rurcaus of
tho War IVpartmont. The aggregate
strength of our military force, on the
39th of September lust, was 56,315.
tho total estimate for military appro
priations is $77,124,707, including a
deficiency in last year's appropriation
of $13,000,000. Tho payment ut the
Treasury on account of the service of
the War department from January 1,
to October 2!), 1867 a period of ten
months amounted to $109,807,000.
The expenses of themilitary establish
ment, as well as the numbers of the
army, are now three tunes as great as
they have ever bn in time of peace ;
while the discretionary power is vested
in tho Executive, to add millions to
this expenditure by tin increase of the
army to the maximum strength allow
ed by the law. j .
The menacing-attitude of some of
the warlike bands of Indians inhabit
ing the district of country between the
Arkansas and l'lattc rivers, and por
tions of Dakotah 1 Territory, required
the presence of a large military force
in that region. Instigated by real or
imaginary grievances, the Indians oc
casionally committed acts of lwrburous
violence upon emigrants and our
frontier setllehicnts ; but a general
Indian war has been providentially
averted. The Commissioners under
the act of. 2h July, 1867, wero in
vested with full power to adjust exist
ing difficulties, negotiate treaties with
the disaffected bands, and select for
them reservations remote from the
travelled routes between the Mississip
pi and the Pacifc. ! '1 hey entered with
out delay upon the execution of their
trust, but have not yet made any olli
cii',1 rcpvrt of their proceedings. It is
of vital importance that our distant
Territories should be exempt from
Indian outbreaks, and that the con
struction of the l'aeilio Railroad, an
object of national' importance, should
not be iiitcri'iiptciMv hostile tribes.
These objects, as well as tho material
interests and the moral and intellectual
improvement of the Indians, can be
mosteflcctiially secured by concentrat
ing them upon portions ot country set
apart ; for their exclusive use, and
located at'points remote from our high
ways and encroaching white settle
ments. Since the commencement of the sec
ond session of the Thirty-ninth Con
gress, five hundred and' ten miles of
road ha vo .been (Constructed on the
main line and brandies of the Pacific
Railway. The lino from Omaha is
rapidly approaching tho Eastern base
ot the Kocky Mountains, whilst tne
terminus of- tho' last section cf con
structed road in California, accepted
by the Government oii the 24th day
of October' last, whs-'but eleven miles
distant from the summit of the Sierra
Nevada. Tho remarkable energy
evinced by the Companies offers the
strongest assurance' that the comple
tion of the road frora Sacramento to
Omaha will not bo long deferred.
During, the last fiscal year seven
million forty-one - thousand one hun
drel and fourteen acres of public land
were disposed of, and the cash receipts
from sales and fees exceeded one-half
million dollars the sum realized frora
those sources during the preceding
year. The amount paid to pensioners,
including expenses) of -disburdcmcnts,
was $18,610,965,and thirty-six thous
and four hundred , and eighty-two
names wero added to thu rolls. The
entire number of pensioners on the
39th of Juno last was one hundred
and fifty-five thousand four hundred
und seventy four. Eleven thousand
six huudred and fifty-five patents and
designs were issued during the year
ending Sept. 30,- 1867, und nt that
date tho balance iu the Treasury to
the credit' -of tho , Patent fund was
$286,607,'' ';
The report of tlie Secretnry of the N-y
sunn tli .t wo bavu aeVeu HU.iilion actively
ami judiciously employed, under elllcietit ami
able cominnndrrs j In protecting thu pi-i-tons
QUd prtipert? of Amcricua citizens, m lintain
lug tliu diilU- and power ol lk (JovernnKnt,
ami uromotiiiE- thu commerce and bufiness
intermtn of our n norryiren in evoiy putt t.f
(lie Vfoill Oi Uw two bundled and Uilriy
elgiit vissulBCotiiiwiD;' Itif pre ut navy of the
l!uitei biiile fifty -sin' carrying f!v humlrtd
and b, T(-U g-uus aiu in aqnaJrun (mice
During tlie year tlie number of vtsselsiiijeom
Duiwinii baa beta reduced twelve, aud there
are tlmtocn Ices ou qu.tdron duty than there
wuiealCiedaleuf ilw-lut reporU A luiyn
number of VesBcli be commenced and in
lite counts of construction when the war ter
minated, and although; Congress had niado
the tiecctuui'Y appropriations for their comple
tion. Hi uetMutiueot tiaa either tUBuendcd
work upon -tham or limited tlia alow comple
tion, tho Department, has either atiBpenilcrl
work upon them or limited the alow comple
tion ol the steam veeacia, ao at to -meet Uie
contructa lor mnuuiiiery maue with private ea
toblidhniunts. The total expenditures of Ihe
Nbvv Department for the fiscal rear endlnir
June 30, lBttT, were SI,0S,0ll. No
appropriations , have been- Bade ot requind
since Uio close of tho war fyr the constructioa
' .-'c ' l- -' ' - i" :
and repnir if vesaela, for sU-am machinery
nrtluance, provisions and clolliine, furl and
Li-nip, ' 4c., the balance, under ihese aevend
bead having been more lhan sutlieient for
cm runt exH.-nilitnrea. It should also be stat
ed to thu credit of the lViwitiucnt that, be
sides asking no appropriations tor the above
objects for tlio last two years, the Secretary of
the Navy. ontheSnthot September last, in
accordance with the act of May I, 18'H, re
quested the Secretary ol Ihe Treasury to carry
to the surplus fund the sum of sixty-tiro mill
ions of dollars, being the amount received
from the sales cf vessels and other war prop
erty, and the remnants of Ihe former approp
riations, r.:
The report of the Postmaster General show
the business of the I'ostolllco Department and
tho condition of tlie posUI service in a
very favorable light, and the attention of Con
gress is ca.lcil to its practical recommenda
tions. Tlie receipts of the Department for the
year ending Jung SO, 18U7, including all spe
cial appropriations for sea and land service and
for free mail matter, wero $19,078,693. The
expenditures for all purposes were $19,235'
483, leaving an unexpended balance in favor
of Ihe Department of (743,210, which can be
applied towards the expenses of the Depart
ment for tho current year. The Increase of
postal revenue, independent of spccillc appro
priation, II r the year 18(17, over that of 18(i(,
was (430,040. The lucrcrse of revsoue from
the sale of stamps and Btampcd envelopes waa
(783,401. The Increase of expenditures for
1857 over those of the nreyloua year was
owing chiefly to the extension of the land and
ocean mail service. During the past year new
postal conventions have been ratified and ex
changed with tho United Kingdom of Great
lhilain and Ireland, llclgium, the Netherlands,
Switzerland, the North German I'uion, Italy,
aud tho Colonial Government at Hong Kong,
reducing very largely the rates of ocean and
land postages to aud from and within these
counti ief.
The report of tho Actiug Commissioner of
AgrlcultuiS concisely presents tho condition,
wants, and progress of au interest eminently
worthy of lhclosteilngui.ro of Congress, and
exhibits a largo measure of useful results
achieved during tho year to which it refers,
The re-estahlnhmcnt of peace nt home and
tho resumption of exteuded trade, travel aud
commerce abroad, bavo served to increase the
number and vaiietv of questions in the depait
uien i of foreign alliiii s. Nouo of these ques
tions, however, have ceiiously disturbed our
relations with other States.
Tho He-public of Mexico, having been re
leived from foreign intervention, U earnestly
engaged lu ctlorts to to- establish her constitu
tional system of government. A good under
standing continues to exist between cur Gov
ernment nnd the Republicans of Haytl and
San I), min go, and our cardinal rehions with
the Central und South Amciicau Slules remain
nnchunjied. The tender, made in conformity
with a n solution of Coiigri ss, of the good of
fices of Ihe Government, .with a view to an
amicable adjustment of ieaee between Dra7.il
and Hit ullics, on one side nnd f urneuav on
tho other, and between Chill and her ullle,
on one side, und Spain on the other, though
kindly itceiveil, has in neither case been ful
ly uceeptcd bv the iielhircrer Is. Tlio war lit
the Valley of the Parana is stiil viorounly
niaiRiiiiueu. un tiicouicniunti.nctuui nosuii-
ties between tlio Pacific Statesnnd Spain have
uccu moru than a year suspended i shall,
on any proper occasion that nny occur, renew
the conciliatory recomnicniiali, ns wlucli have
been already made. Limv.il, wi;h culighicncd
saacily uul comprehensive ftalesmnnship,
lus opened the great channels of the Amazon
and its tiiliulni ies to universal commerce. One
thing more seems n cdful to arsuro a rapid
and cheeiing progress In South America. I
reler to those peaceful habits wiihout which
Klines aud Nations cannot. In this age, well
cxp-.'ct niuterhd prosporiiy or social advance
ment.
The Flxpoi-itlnnof Univc'Hiil Industry nt Purls
lias passed, nnd seems to have fully realized
the high expectations of Ihe French Govern
ment. If due allow nice bo made for the re
cent political ilenuigi'iiiei.t fit imuistry hero,
the (Mil which Ihe L'niUd Stales has hoir.c,
in lbi exhibition of invention nnd nit may be
l'l giiiiled with very hih naiisiiwtlon. During
the Exposition, u conference wa held by
(leleguti.'S from tlio several nations, the United
Stan's being one, iu which the inconvc ulences
to commerce and social intercourse nsuiting
from diverse simulants of money value were
lully discuscd ; nnd plana wero developed for
establishing by universal consent a common
principle for the coinage of gold. Tlicso con
I'crences are i xpected to he renewed with tho
ntti nd.uice of many foreign Sla'.ts not biiherlo
represented. A report of these intereslirg
proceedings will ho submitted to Conerjss,
which will no doubt justly appreciate the great
ob'ect, nnd bo ready to adopt any measure
which may tcud to facilitate its ultimate ac
complishment, On tlie twenty-flfih of February, 1?02, Con
gress declared by law that the Treasury notes
without Interest, authorized by that act, should
bo legal tenders in Uie payment of all debts,
pnblie and private, within the United Slates.
An annual remittance of (30,000, less stipu
lated expenso, accrues tq claimants umUr tho
convention made with Spaih In 1831. These
remittances, since tho pagsage'of Uio act, have
been paid in such notes. The claimants in
sist that tlio Government ought to require
payment iu coin. The subject may be deem
ed worthy of your attent ion.
No arrangements have as yet been reached
for tlie settlement of our claims for British
depredations upon tlio commerce of the
Unitcd States. I have felt llrr.y duty to de
cline a nropos'.tion of arbitration made by Her
Majesty's Government, bia-uso it has hitherto,
been accompanied by reservations and limi
tations with the rights, interests and honor of
nur country, It is not to be apprehended that
Grout liiluiin will persist In bcr retusal to
satisfy these just and reasonable claims which
involve the sacred .principle henceforth not
more important to the United States than all
otoer commercial nations.
Tiie West India Islands were settled and
colonized by European States, simultaneously
with the settlement and colonisation of the
American Continent, Most of tho colonies
planted here became independent nations in
tho close of the last, and beginning of the
nresent centurv. Our own country embraces
communities which atone period were tiie
Colonies of Groat Hiitain, Fr ince, Spain. Po
land, Sweden and Hussia. The peoplo in the
West Indies, Willi the exception oi moae oi uie
Island of Hayti, have neither attained nor
asii:ed to Independence. nr have they
becoma prepaid! for self defence; although
possessing considerable coinnrerct 1 value l!:sy
nave uuen neiti ny aevepii r.-jiupeau cuittB,
which colonized and at Ihe sama conquered
them, chiefly for purposes of military and
nuval strategy, In can) in, out the European
policvnnd designs in regard to this continent
in our own revolull mary war ports and har
bors In tlie West India Islands w, ro used by
our enemy to the great Injury and embarrass
ment ot tlie LmlcU plates, rvc Lau eue same
expel ie-nce lu our second war with Great
Hi itain. The same European policy ior a long
time excluded us even from tr.ids with the
West Indies, while we were at peace with all
nations. In our ree-cnt war the rebels r.nd
their pirmiral and blockade treating allies
lound fac iiiilea In some ports for work which
they too successfully accomplished, ol injuring
and devastating a c unmerce which we are
now engaged in rebuilding. Wo labored es
pecialiy unuer tins aisaciv.inuige wutn r.uro
lican steam vessels employed by our enemies
found friendly shelter, protection and supplies
in tbe West Indian ixirts, while our own
naval owr tic ns were carried on from our
owu distant shore. There was then a univer
sal feeling of the wanl of an advanced naval
out post between the Atlantic coast nnd
Europe. The duty of olrtainlng such an out
post peacefully and lawlully, while neither
was dui lug nor menacing injury to the other
Stairs, earnestly engaged ihe attention of the
Executive Department befo.e the close of the
war and it has nut been lost sight of since
that time. A not entirely dissimilar naval
want revealed Itself during the same period on
the Pacific coast, and the required Ibolbnld
there as fortunately secured by our late
treatv with the Einneror of Russia, and it now
teems imperative that the obvious necessities
of the Atlantic coaat should not be less care
lully provided, for a good and convenient port
and harbirr capable oi asy ueience wui tmi'uij
that want with the possession of such a station
bv the United Htatea. Neither we hoi- any
..it.-, i .o.n nail, m need no lonace appre
bend injury or offence from any trans-AUaulle
enemy, i agree wim ..--,
.v., vr. Indies naturally KTavltaM to,
and may be eipeotsd ullimaUly to be abaorti
eoV by tbe continental Butes, Including our
own. I agree with them 4laoJtha It Is wise to
T,, J Hi . .' i u -'i ,i'
leave the quesiiou of such absorption to this
process of natural political ffravitation. Tlie
islands or St. Thomas and St. Johua, which
constituto a portion of the group called Virgiu
Islands, seemed to otfef us advantages imme
diately desirable, While their acquisition could
be secured in harmony with Uie principles to
which I have alluded. A treat v has, there
fore, been concluded with tlio King of Den
mark for the .cession of those island, and will
be submitted to ths Senate for consideration.
It will hardly bo necessary to call the atten
tion of Congress to the subject of providiug
for the payment to Kussia the sum stipulated
In tho treaty for '.he cession of Alaska posses
sions, it having bern fonnerlj deliveretl to our
Commissioner. The Uinitorr remains lor Ihe
present In charge of a inililary force, awaiting
such civil organization as shall bo drcclcd by
Congrvsj.
The annexation of many small Gernii.n
tatt-8 to Prussia, aud tho reorganization ol
that country under a new aud lilieral Consti
tution, have induced me to renew tlie effort to
obtain a juy and prompt settlement of a long
vexed question concerning the Claims of for
eign States for military service from their sub
jects naturalized In tho United States. In
connection witu this sutiject me aucntton oi
Congress is respectfully call-id to a singular
and embarrassing coullict of laws. The Ex
ecutive Department of this Government has
hitherto uniformly held, as It now holds, that
nalurolizalion in eonl'onni'y with tlie Consti
tution and laws of the United S'utcs absolves
the recipient from bis native iillegiiiuce. The
The Courts of Great Britain hold that allegi
ance to t'ie Urllish crown Is indefensiblo, aud
Is not absolved by our laws of naturalization,
and llrilish judges cite courts and law authori
ties of the United States in support of that
theory against the position held by the Exec
utive authority of the Uuiled States. This
con diet perplexes the public mind concerning
rights of naturalized c itizens and impairs nati
onal authority abroad. I called attention to
this subject iu my lust annual message, and
now again respectfully spci;l to Congress to
declare the national will uuuiistakab y upon
this imiMirtunl question.
ASuso of our laws hy clandesllno prosecu
tion oftho African slave trade, from American
ports, or by American citizens has alogelher
ceased, anil um'or existing circumstances no
apprehension of its renewal in this part of the
world aro established. Under the chcuia
stancos, it. becomes a question whether wo
shall not propose to Her Majesty's Govern
ment a suspension or discontinuance of stipu
lations for nmintainiiw a naval force for tho
suppression of lhat trado
(Signed) Axnni;w Joussos
WasHiNUTOX, Dec. 3, I8U7.
WAYNES 15UKG, PENN'A.
YVlnoNils.y, ltc. 11,
TILE .MKNNAUE.
Wc give tho President n fair hear
ing this weefe;- notwithstanding the
great length of tho paper seems pur
posely to lorunl country newspapers
from publishing it. . What good can
grow out of tho Executive's word i -
ncss transcends our imagination. It is
not our purpose, even had wc the
space, to travel over his old stamping
ground of error and sophistry. On
many points, the most important that
of Keconsi ruction, hn refuses to be
guided by truth. 1 1 is statements are at
war with stubborn (acts, and he should
have learned ere this that tho great
mass of the people so declare. AV hen
the men who fought the war determine
squarely to surrender the Government
to beaten traitors then his position on
restoration will h?. analogous to his as
sertion. They are nut likely soon to
make such concession anil tho quibb
ling dotard should know that it is past
his power, be has yet tho-t'U'rontery,
to use a mistaken action on entirely
different questions in behalf of his
Southern allies with effect. IIo in
dulges in a pleasing bit of bruggadoeia
at the expense of the impenchers which
may draw upon him the fire of a few
blusterers. The mcssago is before you,
however, and wc invito its . perusal
both that you may sco its glaring
iliscrepuueies nnd glean the few grains
of wisdom concerning financial alTairs
and other topics.
. THE UZlA.Vr MOVF.MK.Vr.
Our captious neighbor, thinks be
cause Thad. Stevens declared wc should
"throw conscience to the devil," in
Icnling with Southern rebels that every
Republican is bound to agree with bim.
So in regard to the past action of Con
gress. However much wo may de
plore a harsh course toward tho unre
constructed States and tho methods
taken to bring them back safely into
the Union fold, and it may be to a
great or less degree felt by all Repub
licans, we have the one idea iu view
a restoration that shall secure perman
ent peace, on the basis of impartial
rights and justice to all men. In the
main the policy of the Democratic
party and of the Executive has oppos
ed this whilst that of Congress has been
its only support. Congress represents
tho peoplo upon this question. With
this leading sentiment for a watchword
tho peoplo have nominated Grant for
tho next Presidency. His testimony
before tho impeachment committee may
be garbled and quoted and lauded, by
Democratic journals to destroy the
public faith in a worthy sarvaut, to
no effect. IIo has Spokeu m word
stronger even than m deed tor tu?
right. . We commend the following
truths, spoken by Gen'l. Sickles, the
other night iu New York, to tho con
sideration of those who think "his
(Grant's) policy is as far as possible
from the one proposed by Congress
aud tho Radicals party proper.,
Speaking of the Congressional plan of
" . .. -I i - i
reconstruction 'he saiu : . '":
"You hasfo-scctt under what embar
rassment and 'difficulties, resulting
from ninny source?, Jhat plnn of recon
struction has been conducted, but you
have seen this,' also - that While it has
encountered the almost irresistible
power, patronage and influence of the
Executive, it has neycr for a moment
lacked the steady, loyal, faithful gun-
port of. tho;Qiwl-iu-
Armies'. Cheers. J assing any ref. .
fereuoe to myself, except to take this 1
oceasiiin to express my appreciation and ',"
gratitiulo for the support so Btcudily -.
given to nie while in command in tho
Carol inas, amid all tho trying diflicuU
tics of that position, let nio for illustra- ;
tion of what 1 have just said, point you
to tho manly, soldier-like, true friend
ship and devotion to duty, manifested '
in the strugglo initio by tho gallant
Sheridan. Ijoud cheering and wav--'
ing of hats and handkerchiefs. Thero
was Sheridan sent to New Orleans
with a handful of men to control all
tho turbulent elements of Louisana
and Texas ; to restore order out of an
archy ; to bring an unwilling people to
a sense of nllegitinco to our flag and .
Constitution and laws ; to extend .tho
hand of protection to tho helpless ne
gro, whom wo have emancipated and
whom wc had called a freed men, but
to whom wo had given no means to
protect this freedom by his franchise:
obliged to t-hclter from persecution and
tyranny una outrage- tho loyal whites ;
compelled tonlford security to North
ern capitalists who went down therein
the conliticuco that au American cit
izen presumes be may always feel that
wliorever lie goes, nt least within our
territory, tho hand of power, whether
civil or military, will always be exert- ,
ed and held over him to protect him
from outrage. Sheridan went out to'
perform thisdillliiilt, delicate and re
sponsible task, llo was arraigned and
dismissed for what? Simply forcx-exee-uting
the laws of the land passed by
the Congress of tho United Slates, tho
representatives of the people. Ap
plause. Pid Grant stand upon any
mere (iicstion of inililary cterpiette?
Did he wrap himself up iu that reserve
and silenco which thoso who would
liko to provoke distrust tell is his
shield ami Ins own security ? No I
Not content with remonstrances, not
content with ollicial appeal, ho tat
down instantly nthis desk, and penned
iit wonts that w ill not die, in language
doing equal honor to bis intellect as
tho sentiments do to bis heart ho
penned that glorious rctiionstrnuce to
tho Executive, appealing to him to do
justice to tho sense of duty and tho
well meant efforts of a faithful soldier
who had done the State some service,.
I .. C. ,.!,.,.. nt l.,t ! ll.ot .uiu
tllltt IU 1,'OAtU) fit, .v.iav 111 illl iu..y
from striking down au olucor
for ob
,sct - v ing nnd executing the laws of tlio-
IuikI. Chccrs.J Ami here, my
friends yon tee in this narrative which.
I ilo not menu to make tedious to you.
thnt 1 point out to you in every in
stance where bissense of duty would
permit that tho General-in-Chief of
the iirmy has been as frankly outspo
ken and unreserved as-it ww possible;
or proper or becoming lor an oilmen in
Ins position to lie. llucarcv ,ioi
man is in doubt us to tlio BcutinienU.
of On. Grunt upon (he great (fuostioiii
now lielore tliccouiitry unless tliataiuih
wants to be. Applause. Anigntr-,
a. ire upon u matter so plain and so eas
ily as'-crla:nc I itnel understood would
I think, exclude any i-ueli man from
the exercise of the ballot if we hud an
educational qualification. Laughter,
Nor na?d our neighbor, "remind
conservative Republicans whonro so
anxious for tho nomination of Grant,
that no National Convention embody
ing the opposition t; Democracy, can
convene in which the RivJicaU will,
not predominate and have flic power
to dictate tlio candidate and the plat
form." Wo adopt tho language of tho
Siute Guard on this point. It is very,
evident, says that paper, that tho peo
ple will not allow any of the broken
down politiul backs who aro always
ready forprominoncc, to rida into favor
in company with Gjii. Gran!. . Popu
lar demonstration for the Hero of thft
War is not indiscriminate approval or
acceptance of all tho demagogues who
are now conniving to hang to Grant's
spurs ns he rides into high honors. Wo
have always taken it, that the move
ment in favor of Grant is a people's,
und not n politician's movement; The
peopj? want to make Grant President
that they -nay 'thereby- be able to get
rid of soo of the politicians who for
years have turn feeding and ittening,- '
on tho vitals of Covernnient. Oa this
account, wo advise the jwlitica! lack
who now calculate to Jiudi a point by;
vociferating for Grant, to stand, aside
and let the soldiers whom Grant lea to
victory make Grant President.1'- ' ; I
This is timely - warning V stano!
from under'' or be wsquuslt!J!. YT
you heed it Doruoerata.? . i , -. '. i .f
..- .- 1- -i. ... ., i
New Yojik spoke for Gen, Grant;,
on the 4th inst., in a gatheriug ; which
is not often seen in tlic-Metropolis. u It-,
is represented to have-been; the imost
enthusiastic meeting over held, in that,
city, nnd rcpeaenta,all tlie great, jne
chaniewl, mercantile, financial i Jtni
professional classes. Popidar ! prefer-,
ence in favor of Grant, says the' Stole
Quard,U about as hard1 .to, ' wUhsjan-l'
as wa Grant's' fighting itmst .trea-
son.'1 ; -I. m :iim.
,!',MAYORHoVrA
re-elected Mayor pf -Nsw-York ftty,
last week ovcrFernande; WoodfteWQ
crat) and Jas. K Darling (IkpoNk1
..:.,e,-,nmA:::i.j..: "
Impeachment ui th House 'was1',
lost by 108 Nays to. 57 '.Af. -Lawrence
voted Nay n,,, i.t
Gen., &rEAiMA has bceil stflctetf
by apoplexy,, aud is -Jo JfiPggT.
ously ill at .Waahington.. !i . v.ii;
. CounT. -Thp , Deociubetf; terrnof
our Court commcopes on. Monday nextv
"riB- ii't.-li i1 i. i.-f v'-.-'-nrt wi-itt.-j
i