Bradford reporter. (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, December 17, 1868, Image 1

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:198 PIIINTIII4 of every kind, in Plain
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I NVA/ILLBLY CASH.
iortlianotto.
' ; ill 1 1 %Ills :s : t
c
Fellow Citizens of the &nate and
House of Representatives : Upon the
:eassemblinrof Congress, it again
becomes my duty to - -tall your atten•
tion to the state of the Union, and to
its coutinued disorganizatlOn under
the various laws which have been
passed upon the subject of recon
truction
It may be safely assumed, as an
axiom in the government of States,
that ?the greatest- wrongs inflicted
upon n people are caused by unjust
and arbitrary legislation, or by the
nureldMing decrees of desp , ,t lc rulers
and that the timely revocation of in
furious and opprfssive measures is
the greatest good that can be con
ierred upon a nation. The legisla-
for or ruler who has the wisdom and
magbaniinity to retrace his steps,
whin convinced of error, will sooner
~r later be rewarded with the respec ,
and gratitude • f an intelligent am
patriotic people:
Our own hiktory, although em
bracing a period less than a century
affords abundant proof that most, i
sot all of our domestic troubles are
directly traceable to violations of the
~rgat is law and excessive legisla
tion. The most striking illustrations
this fact are furuist.ed by the en
,ctuieuts of the past three years up
the rinetAion of reconstruction.—
cfti.r a fair trial they have substan
-1; illy failed and proved pernicious in
i. it results, and there seems to be
;, g,,od reason why they should
1 ~ i ger remaiu upon the statute-book
!O whial the Constitution .;uar
a republican form of govern
.11( liak7c been reduced to military
•leltendeucies, in each of which. the
people have• "been wade subject to
'he arbitrary will of the command
mg General. Although the Consti
lotion requires that each State shall
Inc represented in Congress, Virginia,
Mi:4 3 is.,ippi, and TexAc are yet ex
..luded front the two Houses, and,
ntrary to . the express provisions of
pall instrument were denied partici-
patina in the - recent election for a
t i .
l',, silent and Vice Pr !sident 9f the
I . ..ited States. The attempt to place
the white population n - der theidom
;nation of persons o color in the
S,,uth has impaired, if of destroyed, i
the I indly relations th ~ bad previ
usl . existed betwee them; and
niut al distrust has engendered a
teelilag of animosity which leading in
zero ti instances to collision and blood
i.hed; has :prevented that co-opera
ti , i, beta eel] the two races so essen
ta,l 1,, the success of industrial en.
, .pi ises in the Southern States.—
r have tau inhabitants of those
.-'t 1 , 0.4,, alone suffered from the
I:, ii Led uoi.J:tion of affairs grow
,rt !I.c Con .ressioliadenactments.
~
Ti, ( at;:;.• 1: idol 11 been agitated
tsy gr,%- li t ireip_tai!ous_ of troubles
:liieh.: ....Olt aga;ti involve the peace
r tl . a i.t on; its interests bar,: been
' , .juri .psly adected by the derange
., •iit ,'f „urine < s and labor, and the
-,, i , 1 , !. w ai,t 01 prosperity
Ihiough 0.. that portion 01 the
e! trw ~
Th- Feder-11 U institution the
chaila of American rights, tin
ler wh0... , %vitao and salutary pro
iii:we have successfully eon
:lut.teil -A our domestic and foreign
.
ourselves in peace
oid war, and become a great nation
.i.nong the p , w , rs of the earth--;
gins'. assuredly be now adequate to
he settlement of questions growing
ut of the civil war, waged alone for
vindication. This great fact is
-:lade most manifest by the condition
-f the country when Congress assem
bled in the month of December, 1865.
Civil strife hrid ceased; the spirit of
rebellion had spent its entire force;
:ii the . .. Southern States the people
had warmed into national life, and
throughout the whole country a
boaithy re action in ptiblic sentiment
taken place;. By the application
.! the simple yet effective provisions
the Constitution, the Executive
lb•partinent, with the voluntary aid
th.. States, had brought the work
restoration as near completion. as
within the scope of its authority
old the nation was encouraged by
prospect of an early and satisfac
;ory adjustment of all, its difficulties.
Congress, however, intervened, and,
elasing to perfect:the work so near
y consummated, declined to -admit
in( tubers from the unrepresented
States, adopted-a series of 'measures
which arrested the progress of rest°-
, Ci in, frustrated all that had been
-•: successfully accomplished, and,
tiirte yi..aris agitation and strife.
~-is l6ft the country farther from the
....Liniments of union and fraternal
::•i•ling than at the inception of the
-' ° hlgrgstioual plan of reconstruction.
. needs no argethent to show that
.• irjslation which has . produced such
o.eful consequences should be ab
,rated, or else made to conform to
• get uitt principles of republican
~t i nient.
l'n:er the intluenee of parts pas
• 4.1 1 ,1 sectional prejudice, other
trt s have been passed not warrant
. by the Constitution. Congress
• a'r, made familiar with
:,,weting the "tenure of
-tee bill." Experience has proved
':ca its r , -:11 i 4 demanded by the
le:er., s t, thc country, and
'.Life it remains in force the
Pre-ifient cannot enjoin that rigid
.I, : , ;.tratability of public officers so
TIOI.
, .
O. 1:31-0r:friPIELIL40 - JEls Publisher.t
OLJJME gam.
saential to aff honest and. efficient
=titian of the laws. Its revoCtl-
Lion would enable the executive de
artMent to exercise tlie powecoi
ppointment and removal- in acceid•
oc6 - ,with the Original design of the
Fe leral Constitution
1 The act' of March 2, 180, making.
4ppiopriationijor the support of ibe
rmy for the
,ycar ending June tkp,
862 1 1 an- for - „other purposes, an
t ins pp:millions which interfere with
e President's constitutional rune-
Lions. as cominandeviwciiief of the
and deny to Stites of 'the
Union the rigikt to protect themselves
themselves by „means of their own
militia.• These provisions shonidlie
at once annulled; for . while; the rat
Might, in times of great emergency,
Cerionsly embarrass the Execntivem
efforts to employ and direct the com
mon strength of the nation for -its
protection and preservation; the oth
er is contrary to the express ,decla
ration of the Constitution, that "a
well regulated militia being neces
sary to the security of C free State,
the right of the peopt to keep and
bear arms shall not be infringed."
It is believed that the repeal of all
such laws would be accepted- by the
American people' as at least a par
tial return to the fundamental prin
ciples of the government, and an in
dication that hereafter the Constitu
tion is to be made the nation's safe
and 'unerring guide. They . can be
productive of no permanent benefit
to the country,and should no be psr
mated to stand as so many monu
ments of the deficient wisdom which
has characterized our recant
The condition of onr finance de
mands the early and earnest consid
eration of Congress. Compared with
the growth of our population, the
public expenditures have reached•an
amount unprecedented in our his-
tory.
The population of the United
States in .1790 was nearly four mil
lion of people. Incre,.sing each de-
cade about thirty-three per cent, it
reached in 1860 thirty-one millions—
an increase of seven hundred per
cent. on the population in 1790. In
1869 it is estimated that it will reach
thirty-eight millions, or an increase
of eight hundred and sixty-eight. per
cent. in seventy-nine years.
The animal expenditures of the
Federal Government in 1791 were
four million two hundred thousand
dollars; in 1820, eighteen million
two hundred thousand dollars; in
1850, forty-one millions• ' in 1860,
sixty-three millions; in 1865, nearly
thirteen hundred millions• ' and in
1869 it is estimated by the Secretary
of the Treasury, in his - last 'annual
report, that they will be, three hun
dred and seventy-two millions.
By comparing the public disburse
ments of 1869, as estimated with
those of 1791, it will be seen that
the increase of expenditure since the
beginning of the Government has
b erveight thousand six hundred and
eighteen per centum, while the' in
crease of the population fur the same
period was only eikht hundred "and
sixty-eight per, centum. .Again: the
expenses of the Government in 1860,
the year of peace immediately pre
ceding the war, were only sixty, three
while in 1869, the. year of
peace three years after the war, it
iS'estimated they will be three hun
dred and seventy-two millions-an in
crease of four hundred and eighty
nine per centum, while the increase
of poptilation was only twenty-one
per centum for the same period. - ---
The statistics further show that, iu
1761 the annual national expenses,
compared with the popUlation, were
little more than one dollar per cap
ita; while in 1869 they will reach
the extravagant sum of "nine dollars
and seventy-eight cents per capita:
It will be observed that all these
statements refer to and exhibit the
disbursements of peace per:ods. It
may, therefor-, be of interest to com
pare the expenditures of the three
war periods—the war with Great
Britain, the Mexican war, and the
war of the rebellion.
In 181'4 the annual expenses inci
dent to the war of 1812 reached their
highest amount about thirty-one
millions; while our population night
ly exceded eight millions, showing
an expenditure of only three dollars
and eighty cents per capita. .In 1847 1
the expenditures growing out of the
war with Mexico reached fifty-five
millions, told the population about
twenty-one millions, giving only two
dollars and sixty cents per capita for
the war expenses of that year: In
1865 the expenditures called for be
the rebellion reached the vast
amount of twelve hundred and nine
ty millions, gives thirty-eight dollars
and twenty cents per capita.
From the fourth day .of March,
1730, to the thirtieth of June, 1861,
the entire expenditures of the Gov
ernment were seventeen hundred
millions of dollars. Daring that
perk cl - we were engaged in wars
with Great Britain and Mexico, and
were involved in hostilities With
powerful Indian tribes; Louisiana
was purchased from France at a cost
of fifteen millions of dollars; Florida
was ceded to us by Spain for five
millions ; California was _acquired
from Mexico for fifteen millions; and
the Territory of New!': - Mexico was
obtained from Texas , fur the sum 'of
ten millions. Early in 1861 the war
of the rebellion commenced; and
from the tat of July of that year . to
,the 30th of June, 1865, the •public
expenditure reached the enormous
aggregate of thirty . three handled
millions. Three years of peace have
intervened r und during that tithe the
disbursements of the Government
have successively been five hen.
died and twenty tailliuns, , • three
hundred and forty six millions, and
three hundred and ninety three
millions. Adding to these amounts
three hundred and seventy two
millions, estimated as necessary for
the fiscal year ending the 30th of
Julie, 1869, we obtain a total
expenditure of sixteen , huddled
millions of dollars during :the four
years immediately = succeeding the
war, or nearly as much as was
expended during tfie seventy two
years that pi mded the rebellion,
,ad embraced the extraordinary
lexpeuditures already named. .
These startling facts - clearly illus.
trate rthe necessity of re renchment
in all its - branches of- the public
service. Abuses; 'which ere Were
ted.during the swisl . foi thi preiferva-
Von of the • nation wli not be
endured ...by. the'.- *op% tow: that
profound- peace, prevail: The re•
reeeiptsfroniinternal re • ..nues and
customs haie, 4uring - th , pait three
years, gradually , d, , and"the
continuancelof mieless ani extrava:,
gent expendtbireaWill - in solve us in
national barilirtiptey, or lee Make
inevitable an 'increase of taxes, al.
ready Mierone, and in many re-•
spects obrsoiiciue on isocim .t of their
inquisitoriaL character.. One huts-
,dred millions annitally• a expended
for the military fere.% a la ge portion
of lvhitili-js.employed in , e execu
tion of laws , both , anise :emery and'
unconstitutional; One h. dred and
fifty millionsiare required each year.
to pay the l interest on he publioti'
debt{ an anti) , Of , tax ga erers
porerishes the(nation; nd public
agents, placed by Oongre:s beyond
the control. of thO tine ye, divert
Iroin their . legitimate pur i :es large
Awns: of money! , Which trt-y collect
from the people 'in the na e of the
Government.; Judieione egialation
and iiindent econcOy can lone rem
edy defects and .o /r srt evi s which if
suffered to exist;. nnot fail to di
minish confidence in the pa bile coun
cils, and weaken the attac went and
respect of the p'eciple to • ard their
~spa _. sue veopto
political institutiona.. Wit
er care the small balance v
estimated will remain in th
ry at the closa of i the pre
year will not - . be; realized,
tional millions be added
which is now entimerate
lions.., • ; 1
• !
It is
,shown by, the able
preliensive report Of Secre
Treasury, that the 1 receip
fiscal year ending' Jane
were $438,638;088' 4nd th
penditnres for! thelsame p
$377,340,28#,, !ell:1g 'the
sutn'of $28,297. l i t ti's esti
the receipts dtir fig the pre
year ending Jime :30 0 188
$341,392,868, a di the ex
$336,152,470, a °tin a
ance of $5,240, 6 in fa
government. , IFbr, the fi
ending Jane - 30, V. 870, it is ,
that the .reoeifita i will a
$327,000,000,:l arid' the ext
to $303,002,069, leiing at
ed surplus of $24;00 ,000.
It becomes prope , in th connec
tion, to make* brief
whit has refere ce to our
1 /.
public indebtedness,'
ac
cumulated with cirreh an alrming ra
pidity, and assnmed sac colossal
proportionu. , i !
In 1789, 91 4e+ i h e G.
commenced eperaii ns . u'
Federal Constitutio , it
dened viith an indob dries
ty five millions - fr)f . ;dollars
during the war of ,the Rev
Tide , amount had ! been
forty fire runner a ofl dollar
1812 war was', ;declared
Grdat Britain. !The tbr
struggle that! followed la
creitited the nationaliobliga
in 1861 they .had ,'attained t
one hundred and `itw i enty sf
lions. Wise and''eennomic
tiod i however,;'„ enabled th
went to pay the pi:tire amo
in 4 period of !twenty year'
extinguishment of the nati
filled the land; with rejoi ,
was one of the great events
.dent Jackson's 4dgiinistra
ter its redemPtion i a ler_
mained in the' 'Treasury, •,,
depusited for. l sale-keephag
several States;; on lconditio
shohld be ref cned when re ,
thel,publie Witits.is In 1846
after the terminationiof s an
war wit lifexica r —K, ound
involved-in a debt,;,l sixty
limit: ; and thielwns,the amo
by the government'in 1860
the'Ontbreak of the bellion
spring er 1801 t °Ur
,civil •
inezieed. Eack yetl i of its
ance made 'an', crier:sous a.
the debt ; and ;when,liti 186 ,
tic's successfully emerged
conflict, the obligntiOns of
ernwent had ireaehed the
saran of 12,873,64,909: i
tary of the7Treion!ry show:
the ',lst day of ;s , Teiveriaber, I
amount had been iedneed to
564,450; but 'at „tte same
report exhibits; an increa •
the past year of $5,626,10',
debt on the ISt day of
last is stated W'hciVe beau $
562. It is estimated by the
ry that, the 'returns for
month will lidOolecir liabi
further sum of eleVen millie.
lug ta total increand, during
months of fortYleix and a
lions. ' ; 1 1 : 1 . 1 .:'
In my message kit' De
1885,.it was stigg.ested that
should be devisediihich; wi
ingoppredriive 0,46 *opt
at once begin to effe j et a red
the debt`-and l irtpe rested-in
it fatly within a definite 4
years. The Secretary of
nry forcibly
.reCoMmends le
of this. character,
. nad jastl
that the longer Jtifideferred
difficult must become its a
me We shouldi follow
prehedents established in'. 1
1836,and without further del
provision !or the payment o
ligations at as,-earlyi a per;
be-practicable..,The fruits
labors - should be eejOyed by i
zens; 7 :rather , than itited - to 11
and sustain niOnOY44 . molitil
OLIFIV KA and , Other lands.
eigh debtie alreadylcompo.t:
Secretary of the" T 131011 4 -,
hundred and fifty: fuillions ;
of foreign colntrieeireCeive,
upon iii large pOrtion!of our a
and American tax polyera are
Contribute large armis for th
port.. The ideath4tlsuch a d
become. permanent,. 'filloiild
ticnee. discarded, isiinvolvi
'Lion too heavy to beiborne, -
merit once in °veil/Ai:lateen
the - present ratcr!or,
,interes
IA
aineant equal , thelpriginal
This vast debt,ifparnaitted to
pertanent ''' , isnd ;li:it:real:in
eVe tuaUYbe githored in te t
of n few, and enable !them to
a dangerona and con rolling'
,thej,affairs 0410 goiernoleu
borkowers would boopme r-
PPI34
. 1 J.
-~- i-~
MEI
--,. TOWAIiDA, •BliADFOiD. : lol7#; , : i . :' 44 DECEIBE4-17,18q.
the lenders—the lenders the masters
of the people. We now pride init.
selves upon having given freedom to.
tour - millions of the colored rice, - it ,
will , then.,.bnone, ahem° 'that forty
millions of people, by their oWn tole=
rationof Usurpation- and profilgacy t 7
have: suffered fhellifleWeg tat - IMO: 1 m°
enalaved, and Merely ' exchanged
stains-owners for new taslelottiters
the ,ithape,tif-tondlolilenv arid -tax
gatherer!: Beeides,rterthatientAehtle
pertain, to "mouarchialgovernments f
and; tending,to monopolies, postititul
tieS,..ead class le islatiaw t are:totilly
irreconcilable with' free restitutions.
IntrodbOed into' our republica,u. aye
tent, they wituld gradually but surely.
asp its foundations, eventtally, sub
rert Our govermental febrict,, and,
erect upon its ruins - ti!ioneyed aria:
tocrack. It is oar hawed duty•to
transmit unimpaired to. our posetwity
the bletwings of liberty which Wert
bequeathed to us by .the founders of
the Republic, and by oar example,
teach, those 'who are' to follow -us,
carefully to avoid the dangers which
threaten a free and independent peo
ple. -
.
Various plans have been proposed
for the payment of the public debt.
However they may have varied-as to ,
the time and mode in whichifshould
be redeemed, there seems to be a
general concurrence as to the propri4
ety and justness of a reduction in the
preeent rate of interest. The Secre
tary Of • the Treasery in his report
recommends five per cent:'; Oongress,
in a bill passed prior. to adjournment
on the 27th of July last, agreed upon
four and four and a half per cent. ;
while by many three per cent. has
been-held to be an amply suffieient,
return for the investment. The gen
eral'impression ais to the exorbitancy
of the existing rate of interest has
led to an inquiry in the pablic mind
respecting the consideration which
the government has actually received
for its bonds, and the conclusion is
becoming prevalent that the amount
which it obtained was in real money
three or four hundred ner cent. less
than the obligetions which it issued
in return. It can not be denied teat
we arc paying an extravagant per-'
centage for the use of the money bor
rowed, which was paper currency,
greatly depreciated blow the value
of coin. The fact is made apparent
when we consider the bondholders
receive from the Treasury, upon each
dollar they own in Government seca.'
,cities, six per-cent. in gold ; which is
nearly or quite equal ,to nine per,
cent. 'in currency ; that the bonds are
then converted• into capital for the
national banks, upon which , those in
stitutions issue their circulation,
beiring six per cent. interest ; and
that theyare exempt from t otation
by the Government and the States,
and thereby enhanced two per cent.'
in - the .hands of, the' holders. We
thus have an aggregate of (seventeen
per cent, which may be received upon'
each dollar by the owner of the gov- 1
ernment securities, A system that)
pro:ltems such rebults_ is justly regar-1
ded as favoring a few at the expense
of tnany, awl has led to the further
inquiry whether ourrbondbnlders, in'
view of the large profits ,which they
bare enjoyed, would themselieS be'
averse to a settlement of our iudebt
edness upon a plan which would yield
them lb fair remuneration, and at the
same time be just to the taxpayers
of the, nation. Our national credit
should be sacredly observed ; but in
making provision for our creditors we
should not forget what is due to the
masses of the people. It may be
as
eumed that the holders, of oar secttri."
ties.have already received upon their
bonds a •larger-amount than their
original investment, 'treasured by a
gold standard. Upon - this statement
of facts it would but seem just and
equitable that the six per cent. inter
est now paid by the Government
should be applied to the reductioi 'of
the principal in semi-annual install.'
ments, - which,in sixteen years and
eight months ould lillaidate the en
tire national debt. • Six per cent. in
gold would at present rates be equal
to nine per cent. in
.currency{ and
equivalent to the payment of the debt
one and a half times in a fraction less
than seventeen yeate. This, in con
nection' with all the otber advantages
derived from their investment, would
afford to the public creditors a fair
and liberal,compensation for the use
of their capital, and with ahii they
should be satisfied. The leseons of
the- past admonish the lender thnt it
is not well to be ,"over-anxious in ex
acting from the borrower rigid com•
pliance with the letter of the bond.
If provision be made for the pay.
meat ,of the indebtedness of the gov
ernment in the manner suggested,
oar nation will rapidly , recover' - its
wonted prosperity. Its interests re
quire-that some measure 'should be
taken to release the Jarge amount Of
capital:-invested - in' the securities of
the geYernineut. It is not uow Mere;
ly unpreductive. brit in taxation-an.'
nuall7 consumes one hundred and fif
ty. mullion° of dollars; which' wculd '
otherwise be used by our enterprising
people io,adding to the wealth of the
nation. Oar commerce, which at one
time successfully ilvaled.that of :the .
great maritime powers, hats- rapidlt
diniinished, and our indueirial-,inter
este ere in a depresend and langnieh
ing condition. 'rite develOpment of
our inexhaustible resources is , thecka'
ed, aid - theTertile fielchi of , the South
are beceining waste for want of_
means to - till them.- With the release
of eaPittil, new life would be infused ' ,
into the- paralyzed energies of our
people, and,actieity and impar
ted to every branch:Of industti, Our
people need encoririgement in their
efforts to recover from the effects of
-the rebellion and of :injudicious legist.
Whin and it should be the site of
t Goverareast to stimalatothem
the prospects of mostly release from
'the burdens *hid* impede their pros
.perity. If we:cannot take the bu 6
dens from their shoulders, we, should
at least,manifest a willingness to help'
bear them. •
In referring -to the. condition of ,the
circniatizerinedium, I ahall , trierely'
reiterate, sibstintittlly, that portion
of my last annual.reessage whion - ren-,
latex tothat subject.
The which the currency
of tiny country_ should. Waal to the
whole' value 4L the. ._annual: poked
circulated by its meant is st:questierf
out prop
bich it is
e T rattan
:ent fiscal
and addl
. a debt
by bil-
and com
, ry of the
for the
30, 1868,
t the ex
riod were
'reasury a
ated that
:ent fiscal
will be
end ituree
bal
':r of the
cal year
etiolated
mount to
enditures
estimat-
erament
'der the
as bar
ot seven•
5 created
talon.—
need to
when in
against
CM
EMI
policy
bout be•
would
Cction df
echnrge
Iber of
Tress
:islition
r urges
he more
empligh
the wise
789;.and
1 m)
' jr nukke'
onr °b
ag may
b f 4 .their
r nit,i-
Sili-_-tip
'Mien in
as for-
by the
t eight
oitizeua
interest'
• laic.,
made to
it sup.
, bt is to
• at al
rg taxi
F nd pay
ears, at
, of an
become
must
e hands
exert •
wer in
, . _The
to to
'!'
~
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C -_
ME
or unritcwtoir piOnt AD! "
,
epon Which political s iteiMomiste have
notigreed. Nor,imn it be controlled'
by legislation, buttnuat be left , to the,
irrevocahleLlaws, which' everywhere;
regulate cerniiiiree and trade. The
cfrenlatinginedinni itresie
tiblyttlow to those *nets where it is
in greatest demand. ..The law of de
maud and , t supply,is as unerring as
that which regulates the - tides of the
ocean •; and Indeed cirreney,likeAlio,
tides; hail its ebbs "and Bows through
out the OOMMerelial World. •
At the beginning of the rebellion,
the bank-note circulation of the coun
try &Mounted' to not Mitch more than
two 'hundred milliortiof dollars . ; now
the circulation of National Bank antes
and those kno.Wa ea "legal tenders"
Is nearly seven hundred Oakum.—
While it is urged by 'lonia that this
amount should be increased,`others ,
ContendL that s decided• reduction is '
absolutely essential to the best inter.
eats of the country. In view of these
diverse opinions, it may .be well to
ascertain the realvalue of our paper
issues, when compared. with a metal
lic or convertible currency. Pim this
purpose, let us inquire how much
gold and silver could 'be purchased
by the seven hundred millions of pa
per money now in circulation. Prob
ably not more than half the amount
Of the latter—showing that when our
paper currency is compared with gold
and silver, its commercial value is
compressed into three hundred and'
fifty millions. This striking feet.
Makes it the obvious duty oflthe gov
ernment, as early as may be corunit
tent with the principles of sound po
litical economy, to' take such meas
ures as will enable the holder of its
notes and those of the National -
Banks to eleven them, without loss,
into specie or its exuivalent. A re
duction, of our paper circulating me
dium need riot necessarily follow.—
This, however, would depend upon
the law of demand and supply,though
it should he )rne in mind that by
making legal tender and bank notes
convertible into coin or its' equiva
lent, their present specie value in the
hands of their holders would been
hanc,ed one hundred percent.
Legislation for the accomplishment
of a result so desirable is demanded
by the highest• public considerations.
The constitution contemplates that
i the circulating medium of the country
shall be unifiiem in quality and value.
At the time of the formation of that
instrument, - the country - bad just
emerged from-the War of the Ittivolu-.
tion,and was suffering from the effects
of a redundant and H orthleas paper
currency. Tne "sages of that period
.were anxious to secure their poster
ity from the evils which they them
selves had 'experienced. Hence, in
providiug a circulating medium, they
conferred upon Congress the power
to coin rooney and regulate the value
thereof, at the same time prohibiting'
the States from making anything but
gold and silver a tender in payment
of debts
The anomalous condition of our
currency is a striking contrast) with
that which was. originally designed.
Our circulation-now embraces, first,
notes of the National Banks, which
are made receivable for all dues to
the Government, excludiug imposts,
and by all its creditors, excepting in
' payment of interest upon its bonds
and securities themselves ; second,
legal tender notes, issued by the Mai
ted States,and which the law requires \
shallibe received as well in payment\
of all'llebts between citizens as of all
Government dues, excepting iniposbi;
and, third; gold 'and silver' coin. By
the operation of our present system
of finance; however, the metallic cur
rency, when collected, is reserved
only for one class of Government
creditors, who; holding'its bbnds,
semi-annually receive their interest
in coin froth the'Natienal Treasury.
There• is-no reason which' will be ac
cepted as satisfactory by the people,
why those Who defend us on the laud
and protect us on the sea ; the pen
sioner upon the gratitude of the
nation,bearing the scars and wounds
received while) in its service ; the
public servant:4 in the various depart
meets of the government ; the farmer
'who supplies the soldiers of the army
and the sailors of the navy ; the intl.
san who toils in' the nation's work
shops, or the mechanics and laborers
who build its I ditices nit(' construct
its forts and vessels ,of "war—should,
in payment of their just and hard
earned does, receive_ depreciated
paper, while another class of their
countrymen; no more deserving, are
paid in coin of gold and silver. Equal
and exact justice requires that all the
creditors of the Government shciuld
be paid in' a currency possessing a
uniform v i alue.. This can only be ac
complished by the restoration of the '
currency to the standard established
_by the constittition,ancl by this weeps
we' would remove a discrimination
which may, if ithas not alreedydonn
so, create a prejudice that may be
come deep rooted and wide spread,
end imperil the national credit. - •
The feasibility Of, making our cur
renay cerreepond With the
_constitu
tional standard may be seen by refer
ence to a few (acts d '
e'rived from onr
commercial statistics. - • - -
The:Ngregate product of prealuns
=tale m the United States from 1848
to 1807 ampuuted to $1 ‘ 164,000,000.,
' While, for the' samepertod, the tie r
exports of specie were $741,000,000.
This shows an excess of product over
net exports of $433,000,0.00. There
arc in the Treasury
. $103,407,880 in
coin' , ; iu circulation In the - States on
the Pacific 'west abotit $40,000,000,
and a tear in,the: National -
and other. Banks -lin all than
$100,000,000. Taking into consider-
ation the specie' in the country prior
to 1848,and tirat priAnced since 18 6 7,
and we haiemore than $800,000;000
not accounted for by exportation or
by the return 4 of the Treasury, and
therefore most probably remaining in
the. country.
These are important facte,and eliow
' how conipletely‘the inferior currency
will supersede the:better, forcing it
from circulation . ,among the masses,
suet .canstug it to b.. exported as a .
mere article of trade, to add to the
money capital of fcireign lands: They
show the necessity-of retiring our
paper moneY;that the -return of gold
and.
-,silver., to, the, avenues , of trade
'May be - invited, &Dd& demand crest;
tad 'which will canoe the ri3tention ati
; tr:lri: ta.' ; ,, ,-_,tr-,:;:,;; ; ;;;;, . . - ,2
- i. 1 ... , i . 4,. - ; iii;i ,- :; T.
i... t'
WMM
W=MMiMI
MS
NOM
borne itleinit so Alma Of thelne• -
dnctioniof Our rich andinexbaustAble
gold bearing 'fields as may be eta;
cleat for purposes of circulation. It
is nureatinnable to expes return to,
a Round currency as long as the.Gov
errimentatiOanks, by _continuing to
bine irredeemable notes,fill the.elian•
eels of circulatiiin with .4ePrealeted
Ifotwithstanding a coinage
by - bur mints,l_ since 1ii48,.0f eight
hundied'atid seventy four milieus of
dollareithe people are now strangers
to the currency Which win, designed
for their use and benefit,' and speci
mens of the precioun metals . bearing
.the notionaUdevice are &admit ieen
sxcept when produced to gratify the
interest excited by their novelty. If
depreciated paperii 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 of all that is
indispensable to the comfort of the
people,, it would be wise economy to
abolish our mints, ,thus bating - the
nation the care and expense Incident
to such establishments; and let all
our precious metals- bee xported in
bullion. The time has come w however,
when the government and national
banks should be required to take the
most efficient steps and Make all
necessary arrangements for a resump
tion of specie payments. Let specie
payments once, be earnestly. inaugu-
rated by the government and banks,
and the value of the paper circulation
would directly approximate a specie
standard.
Specie payment having been
resumed by the Government and
banks, all notes or bills of paper
issued by either of a lees denomiu*
lion than twenty dollars should by law
be excluded from eirculation,so that
the peOple may have the benefit and
corigenierice of a gold and silver cur
rency, which, in all their business
transactions ' will be uniform in value
at home and abroad.
"Every man Ofprep . erty or industry,
every man who desires to preserve
what Oh honestly poisessea; 'or to
obta;n' what he can honestly earn,has
a direct interest in maintaining a safe
circulating medium—such a medium
as'ehall be real and substantial, not
liable to vibrate with opinions, no
subject to be blown up or blosin down
by the breath of speculation, but to
be made stable and secure. A disor
dered:currency is one' of the,greatest
political evils It nodes:mines the
virtues necessary for the support of
the social system, and encourages
propensities destructive of its happi
ness, it wars , against industry, fru
gality, and economy, and it fosters
the evil spirits , of extravagance and
speculation." It has been asserted
by one of our profound' and most
gifted statesmen, that _"of all the
contrivances fOr cheating the laboring
classes of mankind, none has been
more effectua l
, than that which
deludes them with paper money
This is the most effectual of inventions
to fertilize the rich man's- fields by
the sweat of the, poor man's brow.—
Ordinary tyranny, oppression;exces
sive taxation—these bear lightly on
the happiness of the mass of the
community compared with a [moan
lent currency, and the robberies
committed by depreciated paper.—
Our own history has recorded for our
instruction enough, and more than
enough of the demoralizing tendency,
the . injustice , arid the intolerable
oppression on the virtuous and well
disposed of a degradedpaper currency
aqtborized by law or': in any way
eo'untenatieed by governwent." It is
one of the most successful devioeNin
times 'of peace or war, of expansions
or revolutions, to accomplish the
transfer or all the precious metals
fiein the great mass of the people
into the halide of the few, where they
elle hoarded in secret places or depos
ited' under bolts and bars, while the
people 'are loft to endure all the
inconvenience, sacrifice, and demora
`ization resulting from the use of
depreciated and Worthless ripe!.
- The Secretary of the Interior in his
-report gives valuable information in
reference to the interests confided to
the supervision of his Department,
and reviews 'the operations • of the
Land Office, Pension - Office, Patent
Office, and the Indian Bureau.
During the fiscal year ending June
-30, 1808, six million six hundred and
fifty five thousand seven hundred
sores of public land were disposed of.
The entire cash receipts of , the Gene
ral. Land Office for the same period
were $1,632,745, being -greater by
$284,883, than the amount realized
from the same sources during the
previous year. The entries under the
homestead law cover two million
three hundred - and twenty eight thou
sand nine hundred and twenty three
acres, nearly one fourth of which
was taken under the act of June 21,
1666, which applies only to the States
of Alabama, Ilississippi, LOnisiana,
Arkansaa, and Florida.
- On the 30th of June, 1866,0ne hun
dred and sixty nine thousand six
hundred and forty three names were
borne on-the pension rolls,and during
the year ending on that day the total
amount paid for pensions, including
the expenses.ef. disbursement; was
$24,010,882, being $5,384,025 greater,
than that expended for like purposes
during the preceding year.
During the Year ending the 30th of
September last, the expenses of the
Patent 'Office exceeded the receipts
by one hundred and seventy one dol•
tars.; and, including the reissues and
designs, 'fourteen thousand ono hun
dred '.and fifty threi patents were
issued. •
Treaties with various Indian tribes
have been cosclndedowd, will be sub- ,
witted to the Senate for its Constitti:
tinnal action. I. cordially' sanction '
the stipulations "which provides for,
reserving lands for the various tribes
where they may be encouraged t)
abareleh their nomadic habits and
engage in agriculturist and industrial
pursuits. The policy, inaugurated
many years since, has met with sig
nal encomia whenever it has tren
pursued in good leith and with be.
coming liberality by the United States.
The necessity for extending it as far
as practicable
_in our relations with
the aboriginal population is greatei
now than at any preoeding period.—
Whilst we furnish subsistence and
instruction to the Indians, _ and,guar,
iiiitee the undisturbed enieyment of
,
.: ~ .. v, _ . ~._.....~ _ .... .., :..
~y~~:'
=ENE
their treaty vistas, we-should'
nailY insist- nrin ihefaithful .. obser-,
vanes their agreement '4••• 'retnain
wlthihtheirrespectiii3 -resertations:
is the - only triode by:which c . 14:4-
Haloes with other tribes and with the
whites can - be avoided,and-the ssfeity
of our frontier settlements secured.
The companies - constructing the
railway'from .Ornaba to Sacramento
have been moat energetically engaged
in prosecuting the work, and it is be
lhyred that-the line will be completed
before the expiration of the next fib.
cal year. • The six per 'cent. bonds
issued to these companies amounted,
On the Sib instant, to $44,887,000,acd
additional work has. been performed
to tte extent of $8,200,000.
The, Secretary o f
_ the Interior in
August last invited my attention to
the report of a Government director
of the Union Pacific Railroad Comps
ny,who had been specially instructed
to, examine the location. construction,
and equipment of•their road. I sub
mitted for the o f ieion of the Attorney
General certain questions in regard
to the authority of the Eiecutive
which arose upon
,this report,, and
those which had from' time to time
been prt seated by the commissionary
appointed to inspect each. spccessive
section of the work; After carbfully
considering- the liw of - the case, he
affirreed the right of the. Executive to
order, if necessary, a thorough revis
ion of the entire road. flommission
era were thereupon appointed to ex
amine this and other I nes, and have
recently submitted a .statement of
theii investigations, of which the re
port of the Secretary of the 'lnterior
furnishes specific information.
The report of the Secretary of War
contains information of interest and
importance resp ecting the severai
bureaus of the War Department and
the operations of the- army. The
strength of ear military sere; on 'the
30th of September last, was forty
eight thousand men, and it is compu
ted that by the lee of January next
this number will be decreased to forty
three thousand. It is, the opinion of
the Secretary, of War that within the
next year a considerable ..diminution
of the infantry force may be made
Without detriment to the -interests of
the ciantry ;.and in view of the great
expense attending the military peAce
establishment, and the absolute„ ne
cessity of retrenchment wherever _it
can be applied; it is hoped that Con
gress will sanctiou the reduction
which his report recommeeda. While
in 1880 sixteen- thousand `three hun
dred men cost the nation $10,472,000,
the sum of $65,682,000 is estimated
is' _necessary for the , support of the
army during the fiscal_ year ending
June 30, 1870. The estimates of the
War Department for the last two fis
cal years were, for 1887;833,814,491,,
and for 1868 $25,205,668. The actual
• expenditures during the same periods
were, respectively, •.$25,224,415 and
$123,246,648. The estimate submit
ted in December last for the fiscal
year ending Jane 30, 1869, was $77,-
. 124,106 ; the expenditures for the l
first quarter, ending the 30th of Sep
tember last, were $27,218;117, and
the Secretary - of the Treasury gives
$06,000 ; 000• as the amount which will
probably be required during the re- -
maining three quarters,if there should
be no reduction of the army—making
its aggreg ate'-cost fer the, year con
siderably in excess of $83.000,000.--,-
The difference between the estimates
and expendituresfor the three fiscal
years which have been named is Ong
shown to be $175,545,343 for this
single branch of the public service.
The report of the Secretary of the
Navy extdbite.the operations of that
department and to the navy daring!
the - year. A coneiderable reduCtidn
of the force has been eff ec ted.- There
are forty two Vessels, carryin four
hundred and eleven gun s; ie e six
squadrons which are established in
different parts of the world. Three
of these vessels are. rettning to the
Enited,States and fon are need as
litoreships, leaving the actual cruis
ing force thirty-five-'vessels, •carrying
three hundred and fifty-six guns. The
total number of vessels in the navy
is two hundred and six, mounting
seventeen htitidred
: and forty-three
guts. Eighty-one vessels of every
description are in use, armed with
six hundred and ninety-six guns., The
numbei of enlisted men igi the service,
including apprentices, has been re
&iced to eight thousand five hundred.
-An increase of'navy-yard. facilities is
recommended as a measure which
will, in the event 'of war, be promo
tive of economy and security. A
more thorough and systematic surveys'
of the North Pacific Ocean is advised
in view of our recent acquisitions,
our expanding commerce,- and the in
creasing intercourse between the Pa
cifie States and Asia. The naval
pension fund; which . consists of a
moiety of the avails of prizes captur
ed during the war, • amounts to $14,-,
000,000. Exception -is taken- to the
act of 2311 of July last, which redness
the interest on the fund loaned to the
Goieinment by the Secretary, as
trustee, toithree fper cent.' instead of
six per cent., - whichwee originally
stipulated when the investment was
made. An amendment of the pension
laws is suggested to remedy. °min
alone • and defects in existing enact
meets. The expenditures of the De
partaient daring , the last fiscal year
were $20,120,3E4, and tbe estimate 4
for the corning year amount to $20, 1
996,414. ' _ ~
The Postmatiter . Generaliii report)
furnishes a fill and clear exhibit'of
the operations and conditions of the
postal service. The ordinary postal”
revenue for the ' fiscal . year ending,
June 80, 1868, was $16,292,000, and
I the total expenditure; embracing all
ithe service for which , " Special appro-'
priatious hails' been made by. Con-
gross, amounted -- to $22,730,592,
i peowing an excess of expenditures
lof $6,237.991, Deducting from the
expenditures the sum of $1,806,525,
the amount • iif approeriatiene for
Ocean steamship and other special
service, the excess of expenditures
was $4,541,40. By tieing an unex
pended balance
_in the Treasury of,
$3,800,000, the actual sum for which
a special appropriation is requited , to
meet the deficiency is $741,406. The
causetwhich produced this large ex
wan of expemditone - over revenue
were the. restoration of service in the
late insurgent States, and , the "put-
IMMAMMU
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-02*i31 , Annum; in Advance. '
;ft 1;1.
• if,
NUMBER 30.
Hug into' operation of new service
establiatied -by acts •of .Congress,
which amounted, within - the last two
years, and a, -half, to. about 48,700
fiflee—equal to , more than one-third
of the whole - amount of.,the service
at the close of -the New pos
tal conventions with Great Britain;
North Germany, Belgium, the Neth
erlands, Switzerland, and Italy, re
spectively, have been carried into ef
fect. :Under their' provisions impor
tant improvements have resulted in
reduced . rates of international past
age afid enlarged mail facilities with
European: countries, The cost of the
United States trans-Atlantic ocea
mail" service - since January 1, 1868 ;
has been largely lessened under the
operation of these newconventions,
a ,feduction of over one-half having
been: effected under the new arrntge
ments for oeean mail steamship ser
vice which went into effect on that
date. The attention of Congress is
invited to the practical suggestions
and recommendations made in his re 7
port by' the Postmaster.Generil:
No important qtiestion has occur
red during• the last year in our ac-'
customed cnidial and friendly inter
course with' Costa Rica Guatemala,
Honduras, 'Sa Salvador, France,
Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Port
ugal, the Netherlands, Denmark,
Sweden and Norway, :Rothe, Greede i
.Turkey, Persia, Egypt, Liberia, M
recce, Tripoli, Tunis, Muscat,: Siam
Borneo, and Madagascar.
Cordial relations haie also beeni
maintained with the Argentine and
the Oriental. Republics The expfessed
wish of-teniless that our national
good' offices might be tendered to
those repablios, and also to Brazil
and Paraguay, for bringing to an end
the calamitous' war which has so long
been raging the valley of the La
Plata, has been'assiduously complied.
with, and kindly acknowledged by
all the belligerents, • That important
negotiation,- however, has thus far
been• without result. .
Charles A. Washburn, late United
States Minister to Paraguay, having
resigned, and 'being desirous to re
turn to the -United States, the rear
admiral commanding the South At
lantic squadron was early directed
to send a ship of war to Asuncion,
the capital of Paraguay, to receive
Mr. Washburn and. his family, and
remove them from a situation which
was represented to be endangered
by Lfaction and f .reign war. The
Brazilian commander of the allied in
,vading forces refused permission to
the Wasp to pass through the block
ading forces, and that vessel return
ed to its accustomed *anchorage.—••
Remonstrance having been • made
against this refusal, it was promptly
overruled, 'and the Wasp.therefore
resumed her errand; received Mr,
Washburn and his family, and Con
veyed them to a safe and convenient
seaport. In the meantime an excited
controversy;had arisen betwedi the
President of Paraguay and the late
,tinited States Minister, which, it is
understoed,.grew out of his proceed
ings in giving asylum in the United
States legation to allegcd.enewies of
that republic. The question of the
right to give asyliun is one always
difficult, and oft* . (productive of
great embarrrent. In States
well organized and established, for
eign PowertArefuse either to concede
or exercise hat right, except as to
peisons actually belonging to the
diplomatic service. On the other
hand,all Such Powers insist' upon
exercising the right of asylum in
Sta(es Where the law of nations is
indt fully acknowledged, respected,
,and obeyed.
The President of Paraguay is understood
to have opposed to Mr. Washburn's pro-.
ceedings the injurious and very improbable,
charge of :personal complicity in insurrec
tion and freeman. The correspondence,
however, has not yet reached the United
States.
Mr. Washburn, in connecticin with this
controversy, represents that two United
Stater citizens attached to the legation were
arbitrarily seized at his side, when leaving
the capital of Paraguay, committed to
prison, and there subjected to torture for
the purpose of procuring confessions of
their own- criminality' and testimony . to
support the president's allegations - ague st
the United States Minister. Mr. McMahon
the newly appointed Minister to 'Paraguay,
having reached the I® Plata, has been in
structed to proceed, without delay, to Aa
melon, there to investigate the whole sub
ject. The serer admiral commanding the
United States South Atlantic squadron has
been directed to attend the new Minister
with a proper naval force to suitain such
just demands as the occasion may require,
and to vindicate the rights of the United
Stater citizens referred to, and of any oth-.
ere, who may be exposed to danger in the
theatre of war. With these exceptions,
friendly relations-have been maintained be
tween . the United States and Brazil and
Paraguay:
• Our relations -during the past year with
Bolivia, Erinador. Peru, and Chili have be
come especially friendly and cordial. Spain
and the republics of Peru, Bolivia and Ec
uador have expressed their willingness to
accept the mediation of the United States
far terminating the war upon the South Pa
cific coast _Chile haw-not finally declared
'upon the question. In the meantime the
conflict has practically exhausted itself,
since no belligerent, or hostile movement
has been.made by either party during the
last two years, and. there are no indications
of e'resent purpose to resume heatlitierr
on either side. Great Britain and France
have cordially accepted our proposition of
mediation,. and I do not. forego the hope
that it may soon be accepted by all the bel
ligerents, and lead to s secure establish
ment of peaccrand friendly relations be
tween the Spanish American Republics of
the Pacific and Spain; a result which would
be attended with common benefits to the
belligerents, and much advantage to all
commercial - nations. I communicate for.
the consideration of Congress, a corre.span
deice which shows that the Bolivian Re
public has established the extremely liber
al Principle of- receiving into its citizen
ship any citizen of the United States, or of
any other of -the American' republics, upon
the simple condition of voluntary registry.
-The correspondence herewith submitted
will be found painfally replete with ac.
counts of -the ruin and wretchednesspro
duced by recent' earthquakes, of unparal
bled severity, in the republics oft Peru,
:Ecuador; and. Bolivia. . The diplomatio
agents and naval officers of the United
States who were present in those countries
at the time of those _disasters furnishiid all
the relief in their power to the auffererkand
were promptlriewarded with grateful and
touching ackn owledgements by the Gen
greas of Peru. An appeal to the charity of
our fellow-citizens has been answered by
much liberality. In this connection I sub.'
mit an appeal which has' been made by' the
Swiss Republic, whose Government and
institution/tare itindred_to our own; in be.
half of its inhabitants, who areiuffering
extreme destitution produced by ent de
vmtating Inundations.
Our relaffons with Mexico during the year
have beealnarked by ari increasing growth
of maul confidence. The Mexican Gov
ernmeitt has riot . yet acted upon - the three
treaties celebrated here leaf summer for
tatabUshiag the rights of naterased
uns upon S liberal snit*, bids, for Mu
bang sonsulls,powers, sad,* thf a teat
ment of mutest chime' -
4111 tounnsesiakiretican. 'all '
lamas of repabilian instauttame brim Dot
istglf4't 4 o, _Gm frseheati 1000
haves ba*M - firtireatiof .
entfitiddrof Coltnnbal.":• 110fhthg etc- -
,canAliorMittr, - to effect afelsemnoiyaind'
•1' friendship Arid* laseedieTllolfUla
'yeani esistia hawed' the'eyonthfal anvig
mots itsgablio sodois ins ,
2iisplisticus fr f =r,.3l lr Vor tu
the,enrvey and Oen, anal • , -
seines the Landis of - Dad*" * the
antinices of the United BMW. "•Iftelpii to be'
able to snbmtatherteoteelttaAaegotiafion
to the . Sedate bring* prident.sessum.
Vas vety liberal treaty-Nelda - traientered
bdo Wiwi* by She Dated States add
luta been ratified bythis lades . Itte
ptinr : **, •
Costa Rica, with the earnestness oLasin.
Garay nitmay mbar , solicits a
city of trade which I commend to ;11;=. .
1-dderation of Congress. • , . ,
The convention crested by treaty between
' the United States dead Nomad* in July, •
1865, for the mutual adjustmenta claims,
his been held. matte: dedsions have been
received at the - of state. The
heretofore amazon:ant of the
Erzdted.fitates'o VentlieLs has beensubver
led. A provisional Government having
been instituted meder.eirmaintesiora which
promise . durability, it ins been formally
recognized.
I have been re luctantly obliged tii" ask „
eiphtnadort and ndiasetimetor national in- ;
juries committed by the Presideat -
The
Mies! and socia eoadltion of the
Iles of Medea*. Denning° limy
unsatisfactory end paidia abolition
of slavery,which has *enameled into effect
throughout the island of St Domingo and
the entire West Indies; exce,the_ Spanish
islands of Cubs - and,Pono *eke*, - Mein
followed by a .prefound.populardouviction
of the righsit of - republican"instate
dons, and an intense desire to secure them.
The attempt, however, to ,establish replete
lics.there mounting men? Obstacles, most -•
of which* bn*appesed . result from
loy-mdulpddenc_e_w= habits cokitdalsupieloces • _
de a
EnniTemi monarch- - .
ic Pow pei ers. While the ThilittdStates have
ou all occasions professed a - decided anvil- -
ingnesit that any past et this continent, or of
its adjacent isla shall be made a theatre.
fora new establishment of motaradeal
power, too little bas been done by na, on
the Wier-hand, to attach the communities *-
by,,which we are - surrounded to our own
country, or to lend even a moral trapporeto
the efforts they are so resolutely ands* min
'tautly-making to secure republican Waite
lions for themselves. Iris indeed i„quele
titirtof grave considetation whether our re-
cent and present example is not maculated •• -
to check the glow* and - expeasion or free
principles,- and make- those, comma***
distrust, if not dread, a Government which
at will consigns to military dandnation
States that are integral pads of our Federal
Union, and, while ready to reeiat any at
tempts by other lnattondto extend to this
hemisphere the monarchical institutions of
Europe, assumes to eatablish overt large- '
portion of its people a rule more absolute,
harsh, and tyrannical than any known to
civilized Powers. - - ' -
'The acquisition of Alaska was made with -
the view of extending national jurisdiction
and republican principles in the American
hemisphere. Believing that'll:et*: step
could be taken:in the same direction;-I last
year entered into a treaty with the King or
Denmark for the purchase of the islands of
St. Thomas and St.. John, on the beat terms -
then attainable, and with the_ express con •
-
sent of the people of -those Is lands. Thiel -
treaty still remains under consideration in
the Senate. A new convention has been
entered into-with Derlibark, enlarging the .
time fixed for the final ratification of the
original treaty.
Comprehensive - national policy
would seem to sanction the acquaitiou
and incorporation into our - Federal
Union of the several adjacent ,con- -
tinental and insultie' f _cominuoities as '
speedily as it can be done peacefully
lawfully, and without any violence
of national- justice, faith; or honor.—
Fureign possession or . control of
those communities baa hitherto bin- ,
dared the growth and impaired the ,
influence 'of the United States.—
Chronic revolution and anarchry
there would be eciutely injurious_ .
Each one of tfiem, when firmly - est-eh.
lished'as an independent republic, or
when incorpoi ated into " the United
States, would be a new source of •
strength and power. Conforming my
admiration to these principlee,l have
on no occasion • lent- support or tole
ration to unlawful expeditions stet on
foot upon the plea .. of eepubliceu pro
pagaudisai, or of : national 'extrusion
or aggrandizement. -The necessity, •
however, of repressing such unlawful
movements clearly indicates the duty
Which rests upon - eis of adapting - our
legislative action to the new circum
stances of a decline `of Europe mon
archical power and :influence, and
increase of American - republican
ideds, interests, - and sympathies.
It cannot be long before it
will
becotne necessary - for this. Govern
meet to lend some effective aid to
the solution of the political - and social
problems which are continually kept
before_ the world by the two republics
of - the island - ,'of St. Domingo, and
which are now disclosing themselves
more •!istirictly than heretofore in the
island of Cohn. The subject is com
mended to your consideration with
all the more learnestness, because 1 '
am satisfied that" the time has arrived
when Oven -so direct a proceeding
a propeeition for an annexation of the
two .r6publies of. the islenti of St,
Domingo would not only-receive the
coueent of the people interested, bat
would also give satisfaction to all
other foreign nationa
A am aware that Upon the question
of further extending- our possession~
it is apprehended -by some that our •
pelitical spits m cannot enceessfully.,
be applied to an area more extended
than our contineet ; but the °envie- •
Con ie rapidly gab:44 ground in the
American mind tha!,. with the incras•
ed facilities -for intercommunication, :
between all p..rts of the earth, the
principles of free government, as
embrae , ,d in our Caustitution, if
tathfully maintained and or rried ont,
would prove of sufficient strength
and breadth to comprehend - within
their sphere and
-influence the civilized
nations of the world.' -
The attention of the Senate and of
Conge.ss is again repectfully incited
to the treaty for the establishment
*of conewrcial • receiproeity with the
Hawaiian ki tin gdom,entered unto the
last year,and already ratified by that-
Gtivernment. 1 The "attitude of the
United States toward these islands
is Inot very different from that in
which they stand toward the West
Indies. It is kutiwn and felt by the
Hawaiian Government and jetupte
that their Goveroment and institu
tines are feeble and precarious ; that
the United States, being- so' near'aS .
neighbor, would 'be unwilling to see
the is'ands pass ander foreign control .
Their prosperity is continually die
turbed by papectatrons and - alarms
'of unfriendly :political proceedings is -
well from the United Statei 'as from
other foreign pciweri. A reciprocity
treaty, while it could not-materially
diminish the revenues of the United
States, would be la kuaran'ty (item
good will anti forbearance of all na
tions until the_ people of the islands
sholl of themselves, at no- distant
day, voluntarily apply fur dinisaion
into the Union. - '
:
The Emperor of Itnettia has acced
ed to the treaty negotiated here in
January last for the Security of
trademarks in - ' the interest ormante
facturers and - oommeeeer - - 1' have
invited his attention to the importan
ce of establishimuow.whilo it semis
easy and, practicablei , .fair: and
((pal regulation:Or, the yast.dsharies
belonging to the" two initieffs . in:the
waters of' the Yorth 7 Tiielffo :. ocean.
• (Cuneludeal Fourth Page.)