Evening Star Newspaper, December 5, 1865, Page 1

: sa t THE EVENING STAR 18 PUBLISHED DAILY, (WKORPT SUNDAY,) AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, Southwert corner of Penn's avenue and 112 street, By W. D. WALLAOHL ateciaceniopenionne ‘The STAR Is served by the carriers to their subscribers in the City and District at Tun Ours rez weex Copies at the counter, with or witheut wrappers, Two Uents eacn. Prez ror Martmee:—Three months, One Dear and Fifty Cents; six months, Three Dol- lars; one year, Five Dollars. No papers are | sent from the office longer than paid for. The WEEKLY STAR—pubtisned on Friday Mmorning— Ome Dollar and s Half « year. MESSAGE. ~ PRESIDENTS Preiiowe-citi: ns of the Senate i and House of fos ag ye ogee To express gratitude to God, in the name or the people, for the preservation of the United States, is my first duty in addressing you. nur thoughts next revert to the death of the late President by an act of parricidal treason. The grief of the nation is still fresh; it finds *ome solace in the consideration that he lived to enjey the highest proof of its confidence by entering on the renewed term of the Chi@f Ma- gistracy, to which be Lad been elected: that he trought the civil war stbstantially toa close; that his loss was deplored in all parts of the Union, and that foreign nations have rendered justice to his memory. His removal cast vpon me a heavier weight of estes than ever cevoived upou any one ef his predecessors. To fulttl my tenet Lneed the fupport and confidence of all who are associ- ated wih me in the various departments of Government, and the support aud eonfidenc Therg is bat one way in which an hope to gain their necessary aid; it é e with frankness the p iples which guide condnet, and their application to the pre- aent state of affairs, well aware that the effi- cieney of my labors will, ina great measure, depend on your and their undivided approba- ton. T nathors to last as long as ves shall last. “THe Ustow RPETUAL” are the words of thea ‘To FORM A MORE PERYECT dinance of the people of the is the declared purpose of the The hand of Divine Providence plainly visible in the affairs the framing and adopting of Itis, beyond comyarison, the American history; and indeed events of modern times, the uth consequences for every “the Convention which pre ought to their work the experienc ederation, of their several ¥ needed and they obtained a wis- erior to exyerienos. An@swhen for its at required the approval of a people upied a large part of a continent and acted separately im many distinct conventions, ~ aderfut than that, after earn- est content i Joug discussion, all ieelings an all opinic ere ultimately drawn in one way to its support? tution to which life was thus im- hin itself ample resourcas ion. Ithas power to ea- yubish treason, and ensure 1 ty. In case of the usurpa- tien of the Government of a State by one man or an oligarchy. it hecomes a duty of tne Uni- ake good the guarantee to that € form of gov nent, and the homogeneousn of all. joes the iapse of time reveal defects? A simple moce of amends 18 provided in the Consti- tution itself, so that ditions can always be mad m to the requirements of ad- om. No roor is allowed even 2ght of a possiility of its coming to B ington and the Father of h rting advice of yet President, ot the United States, was, thar tution, which was the work of t be sacredly mainiwsined;” words of President Jeffer- of the Gen zhi ut arsof an Tp the General ad that the of the through it eveuts of thre Tast ; : ed, we will bupe forever, that there lies no appeal to force ‘The maintenance of the Union brings with it the support of the State Governments in all is not one of the rights of nnce its own » nullify the laws of igbts;" bat it te Government to rer the Union. or zest libe a of the ent; but there is no appeal from its except to the various branches of that meut iteelf, or to the peopic who crant embers of the Legisiature and of the tuve Depnrtments no tenure bata limited ene, and in that mauner always retain the powers of redress « The sovereignty of ithe States” is the lan- guage of the Confederacy, not the Jun. ne Constii Tue latter contains the empbatic words: + The Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in purenance thereof, and all treaties all be made under the author. ny of the United Suites, shail be the sapreme law of the land; and the judges in every State shall be bound thereby, anything in te constitution or laws of any Stule to the contra- ry rotowithetandine.” Cert Gcvernment of the United States is a limited government; and sols every Sate goverument a limited goveroment. Wita Us, this idea of limifauon epreacs through every form of admicistration, general, State, Snc MuLicipal,and restsou the great distin- guishing principle of the recognitien of tie rights of man. The ancient republics absorbed the individual in the State, prescribed nis religion, and comtroiled his activity. The Am system mr on the assertion of the equal right ofevery ran to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; to freedom of conscience, to the culture aud exercise of all faculties. As a consequence, the State Goy- erument is li ed. as to the General Gove: ment in theinterest of Union, as to the indi ual citizen in the ix with proper limitati essen to the exy the United St ment when we powsrs of the ear pendence was sdup: the Articive of People of the U bi Constitution of the very d by States; so, also were niederation; and when “the ad Sitter” ordained and es- tution, it was the assent of me, which gave it vitality too, of ary amendment to the he propesition of Congress needs on of Congress. t States, one great branch of the legis- ment would be wanting. And, if ik bevond #r of the Constitution to uniry, is capacity ts jurisdiction & vast eto the system of ¥ for the perpetual ex- the event, m, t 7 stitution of the t The perpetuity cf the ‘tation drings With it the perpetuity of the States: their m teal rejation maxes us what we Are, and in * indis- bole caprotexist withoat the The nor as the ¢ endure, the desiructio Ces*ruction of the other the one is the preserva Of the other. I bave thua expiainrd my views cf tie Muto@! relations of the Constitution and the State wee they unioid the principles on which I bave sougbt to sulve ihe momentous gter tions and overcome the appalling dil! alt. jew (hat met me at the very commencement of Cmigistraicn. It has been my steadfast one! t escape from the sway of momentary of the one i= the the preservation of parrious. Aud to deiive a healing policy from tle fundsmen'al and uschanging principies Ting from the effects The United States ha. recovered possession of heir forte and arsenals: und theirarmies were 3m the cecupsiion ef every Stave which had Chen + tg vez. XXV attempted to secede. Whether the territory Within the limits of those States should be beld as conquored territery, under military Ren, emanating from the President as the head of the army, wae the first question that Preeented itself for decision. Now, military governments, established for An Indefinite period, would bave offered no security for the early euppression of discontent; Wonld have dividecth peopleinto vangutshers and the vanquished; and would have enven- omed hatred, rather than have restored affec- ticn. Once established, no preciee limit to their continuance was cenceivable. They Would have occasioned an incalculable and exhausting expense. Peaceful emigration to and from that portion of the country is one of the best means that can be thought of for the restoration of harmony; and tha’ emigration would have been prevented: for whatemigrant from sbroad, what industrious cityxen a3 bome, wouln place himeelf willingly under military rule? The chief persons who would have follow- ed in the train of the army would have been dependents on the General Government, or men who expected profit from the miseries of their erring tellow-citizens. The powers of pa- tronsge and ruie wbich would have been ex- ercised, under the President, over a vast, and populous, and naturally wealthy region, are greater than, unless under extreme necessity, i should be willing to entrust to any one man; they are such as, for myself, [ could never, un- less on occasions of greet emergency. consent toexercise. The wilfal use of such powers, if continued through a period of years, would have endangered the purity of the general ad- ministration and the liberty of the States which remained loyal Besides the policy of military rule overa conquered territory would bave implied that the States whose inhabitants may have taken part in the rebellion bad, by the act of those inbabitants, ceased to exist. Bnt the true theory is, that all pretended acts of secession were, from the beginning, nall and void. The States cannot commit treason, por screen the individual citfzens who may commit treason, any more than they can make valid treaties or engage in Iawfal commerce wi'h any foreign Power. The States atterapting to secede placed themselves in & condition where their vitality wes impaired. but not extinguished—their iunctions suspended, but not destroyed. But if any State neglects to perform its offi- ces, there is the more need that tne General Government should maintain atl its authority, and soon as practicable, *+sume the ex- erciees Of allitsfunctions. (). this principle 1 lave acted, and have gradualiz and quietly, and by aimost imperceptible siep=, sought to restore the rightful energy ef the General Gov- ernment and of the States. To that end, Pro- visional Governors have been appointed for the States, Conventions called, Governors elected, Legistatures assembled, and Senators aud Representatives chosen to the Uongress of the United States. At the same time, the Courts of the United States, as faras conid be done, have been re- opened, so that the laws of the United States miay be enforced through theiragency. The blockade has been removed and the cus! hoses re-established in ports of entry. so that the reyenne of the United States may be col- lected. The Post Office Department renews its ceaseless activity, and the General Govern- ment is thereby ennbled to communicate promptly with ite officers and agents. The courts bring tecurity to persons and propert y: the opening of the ports invites the lou of industry and commerce; the post e renews the facilities of social PTcoUurse nese. Andis it n the restoration of e tions ofthe General Government brings wv it a blessing to the States over which they are extended! is it not a sure promise of har- nd renewed attachment to the Union fter all tha: happened, the return of the General Government is known only asa beneficence ? 1 know very wr with some y isattendeo sit requires ates Which it quiseenc ncerns; that it implies an invi States, by renewing their allegiance United Sts to resume t States ion. to remove all dang on me to assert one Government—the power of pardon. s no State can throw « defence over the © of treason, the power of parton is exclu. sively vested in the Executive Govern gent of the United tes. In exercising that power, 1 have ‘aken every precau,ion to connect it with the clearest recognition of the biuding for the liws of the United States, aud an fied acknowledgment o7 the grea: soci: ot condition im regard to slavery which grown eut of the war. The next step which 1 have taken to restore the constitutional relations of the States, has been an invitation {o them to participate in the ding the Constitution. Every patriot must wish for a general amnesty at the esrlics epoch consistent w public safety. For this greatend there is need of a concurrence of sll opinions, and the spirit of mutual conciliation. Al parties in 1 terrible conflict must work together in har- mony. : It is not too much to ask, in the name of the whole people, that, ok the one side, the plan of restoration shall proceed in conformity with a Willingness to cast the disorders of the past into oblivion: and that on the other, the evi- dence of sinceritp in the future maintenance of the Union shall be put beyond any doubt by the ratiticntion of the proposed amendment to the Constitution, which provides for the abo- lition of slavery forever within the limits of eur country. Solong as the adoption of this amendment is delayed, so long will doubt, aud Jealousy, and wheertainty prevail. This is the measure which will efface the sad memory cf the past: this is the measure which will most certainly ca}! population, and capital, andeecurity to those parts of the Union that need them most. Indeed, itis no’ coo much to ask of the States which are now resuming their places im the family of the Union to give this pledge of perpetual loyalty and peace. Until itis done, the past, however much we may desire it, will not be forgotten. the adoption of the amendment reunites us beyond ail power of disruptions It heals the wound that is still imperfectly closed: it re- moves slavery, the element which has so long perplexed and divided the country; it makes of us once more & united people, renewed and strengthened, bound more than ever to mutu- al affgction and support. The emenament to the Constitution being adopted, it would remain for the States, whose powers have been so long in abeyance, to re- fume their places In the two branches of the National Legislature, and thereby complete the work of restoration. Here it ts for you, Jeilow-citizens of the Senate, and for you, fellow-ciilzens of the House of Representa- tives, to judge, each of you tor yourselves, of the elections, returus, and qualifications of yoor own members. The tull assertion of the powers of the Gen- eral Government req aires the holding of Uir- cuit Courts of the United States within the dis- tricte where their yutNority bas been inter- rupted. In the present posture of our public affairs, strong objectious have been urged to hoiding those courts in any of {he States where the rebellion Bas existed; and it was ascer- tained, by inquiry, that the Circuit Court of the United States would not be beld within the District of Vireinia during the autamn or early wipter, nor un‘il Congress should bave “an opportunity to copsicer and act on the whole subject ” To your deliberations the resioration of this branch of the civil authority of the United States is theresore necessarily referred, with the hope that early provision will be made for the resumption of al! its functions. It is man. ifeet that treason, most flagrant in character, d. Perions who are charged i's commiesion should have fair and im- al trials in the hig’ ! tribunals of ountry, in order that th nstitution and ws may be fully vindicated: the truth y establiched and affirmed that treason is crinie, that traitors should be punished and the offerse mad mous; and, at the same yn inay be judictaily sat- er, that no Stet-of its to renounee tts place in ronment to- ts whom » freedom, have engazed ration. On the pro- ke the freedmen elec- m_of the Executive, I « Coustitntion itself, the that instrument by its author wud tie contemporaries, 4 nt jegisia- ton by Congress. When, nt the tirst move. ment towards independence, the Congress of the United States instructed the several Statos le juetitute governments of their own, they left cach State to decide for itself the conditious for the enjoyment of the elective franchise. Dunng the peried of the Woniederacy, there he proclama tock fer my counse interpretations « continned co exist a yery great diversity in the qualifications of electors in the several States; aud even within a State a distinction of qua’ fications prevailed with regard to the officers who were tobe chosen. The Constitution of the United States recognises theee diversities when it enjoins that, in the choice of members of the House of Representatives of the United States, “the electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the mest numerous branch of the State Legisla- ture.” After the formation of the Constitu- tion, it remained. as before, the uniform usage for each State to enlarge the body of its elec- tors, uccording to its own judgment; and, un- Ger this system, one State after another has proceeded to increase the number of its elec- tors, until now universal suffrage, or some- thing very near it, is the general rule. , So fixed was this reservatian of power in the babits of the people, and so unquestioned bas been the interpretrtion of the Constitation, that during the civil war the late Precident never harbored the puapose—certainly never avowed the purpore—ot disregarding it; and in the acts of Congress, during that period, nothing can be found which, during the con- tinnance of hostilities, much less after their close, would bave sanctioned any departure by the Executive from a policy which has so uniformly obtained. Morroyer, a concession of the elective fran- chise of the freedmen, by act of the President of the United States, must have extended te all colored men, wherever found, and so must Lave established a change of suffrage in the Northern, Middle and Western States, not less than in the Southern and Southwestern. Such an act would haye created a new class of vo. ters, and would haye been an assumption of power by the President which nothing in the Constitution or laws of the United States would baye warranted. On the other band, every danger of conflict e avoided when the settlemont of the question is referred to the several States. They can, acch fer itself, decide on the measnre, and whether itis to be adopted at once and absolutely, or introduced gradually and with conditions. In my judgement, the freedmen, if they show patience and manly virtues, will sooner obtain a participation in the elective franchise through the States than through the General Govern- ment, even if it had power to intervene. When the tumult of emotions that have been raised by the suddenness of the social change shall baye subsided, it may prove that they willreceive the kindest usage from some of those on whom they have heretofore most closely depended. But white L have not donbt that now, after the close of the wur, it is not competent for the General Government to extend the elective franchive in the several States, it is equally clear that good faith requires the security of the freedmen in their hberty and their proper- ty, their rigut to labor, and their right to claim the justreturn of thetr labor. I ‘cannot too strongly urge a dispassionate treatment of this subject, whibh shonid be carerully kept aloof trom all partystrife We must equally avoid hasty assumptions of any natural impossibility for the two races to live side by cide, inastate of mutual benefit and good will. The experiment involves us in no inconsistency: let us, then, goon and make that experiment®in good faith, and not be too easily disheatened. The country is in need of labor, and the freedmen are in need of employ- ment, buiture, and protection. While their right of voluntary migration and expatriation is Lot to be questioned, 1 would not adyise their forced remoyal and colonization. srather encourage them to honorable nd ere itmay be beneficial anticipations of the certainty of fail- ure, let there be nothing wanting to the fair trial of the experiment. The change in their condition is the subszitution of labor by epn- tract for the siatus of slavery. The fr cannot fairty be uccused of unwillingn k, 80 long ts a doubt remains about his freedom of choice in et rstuts, ind the cea- *‘sinty of bis recovering his stipniated wages. In this the interests of the employer and the employed coincide. The emplo; desires in his workmen spirit and alacr.ty, and these can be permanently secured in no other way. And if the one ought to be able to enforce the contract, so ought the other. The public interest will’ be best pro- moted ifthe several States will provide ade- Guate protection and remedies for the freed- men. Until this is in some way accomplished, Lave is no chance for the advantageons use of their labor; aud the blame of ill-success will not rest on them I know that sincere philantbropy is earnest for the immediate realization of its remotest aims; Lut time is alwaysan element in reform. Itis one of the greatest acts on record to haye brought four millions of people into freedom. The career of free industry must be fairly opened to them ; and then their future prosper. i nd condition must, after all, rest mainly ermselves. If they fail, and so perish let us be careful that the failure shall attributable to any denial of justice- In it relates to the destiny of the freedmen, we need not be too anxious to read the future : many incidents which, from a speculative point of view, might raise alarm, will quieily seitle themselves, Now that slavery is at an end or near its end, the greatness of its e in the point of view of public csonomy, becomes more and more Apparent, Slavery wae essentially a monopoiy ot labor, and as such locked the States where it prevailed against the incoming of free indus- Where labor was the property of the capi- ist, (he white man was excluded from em- ployment, or had but the second best chance cf nding it. and the foreign emigrant turned away from the region where hie condition would be so precarious. With the destruction of the monopoly, free labor will hasten from all parts of the civilized world to assist in de- veloping various and immeasureable resources which bave hitherto Jain dormant. The eight or nine States nearest the Gult of Mexico have a soil of exuberant fertility, a climate friendly to long life, and can sustat: censer population than is tonnd as yet in a part of eur country. tA Aud the future influx of pulsation to them will be mainly from the orth, or from the most civilized nations in Europe. From the suflering that have attended them curing our !ate struggle, let us look away to the future, which is sure to be be laden tor them with greater prosperity than has ever before been known. The removal of the mo- popely of siaye labor is @ pledge that those Tegicns will be peopled by & nnmeronsand en- terprising population, which will vie with ery in the Union in compoctness, inventive genius, wealth and industry. Our Government springs from and was made for the people—not the people for the Govern- ment. To them it owes allegiance: trom them it must derive its courage, strength, and wis- dom. But, while the Government is thus bound to defer to the people, from whom it derives its existence, it should, trom the very eonsideration of its origin, be strong in iis power of resistance to the establishment of in- equalities. Monopolies, perpetuitees,and class Jegislation, are contrary to the genius of free foverpment, and ought not to be allowed.— Here, there is ne room for fayored classes or monopolies, the principle of our Governwent is that of equal laws and freedom of industry. Wherever monopoly attains a foothold, itis sure to be a source of danger, discord, and tronble. We shall but fulfil our duties as le- gislators by occording “equal aud exact jus- tice to all meu,” special privileges to none. The Government i¢ subordinate to the people; but, as the agent and representative of the people, it must be held superior to monopolies, which in themrelves, ought never to be granted. and which, where they exist, must be subordinate and yield to the Government. The Constitution confers on Congress the right to regulate commerce among the several States. It is of the first necessity, for the main- tenance of the Union, that that commerce thould be free and unobstructed. No State can be justified in any device to tax the transit of travel and commerce between States. The position of many Sts is such that, if they Were allowed to take advantage of it for pur- hoves of local revenue, the commerce between - States might be injuriously burdened, or even virtually probibited. It ts bes‘, while thaconntry is still young, and while the tendency to dangerous mono- poleis of this kind is still feeble, to use (he ower of Con; So @s to prevent any selfish Mpediment to the free circulation of men and merchandise. Ataxon travel and merchan- dise, in their transit, constitutes one of the Worst forms of monopoly, and the evilis in- creased if coupled with @ denial of the choice efroute. When the yast:xentof our cauatry is considered, it ts plain that every obstacle to the free circulation of commerce be;ween the States ought to be sterniy guarded gy TPS by eppropriate legielation, wiihin the llmits of the Constitution, The repart of the Secretary of the Interior explains the condition of the public lands, the traneactions of the Pawut Office and the Pen- tion Bureau, the management of our Indian affairs, the progress mace in the coastrnetion of the Pacific raiiread, und furnishes iniorma- . WASHINGTON. D. C., TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1865. tion in reference to matters of local interest in the District of Columbia. Italso presents evi- Cence of the successful operation of the Home- ttead act, under the provisions of which 1,160,533 acres of the public lands were entered during the last fiscal year—more than one- fourth of the whole number of acres sold or otherwise dispoeed of during that period. it js ectimaied that the receipts derived from this rource sre enfficient to cover the ex- penées incident to the survey and disposal of the lands entered under this Act, and that pay- Mebts in cash to the extentof some forty or fifty per cent. will be made by settlers, who may thus atany time acquire tille before the expiration of the period at which it world otherwise yest. he homestead policy was establiehed only aftera long and earnesi resis- tance; experience-proves its wisdom. The lands, in the bands of industrious settlers, whose labor creates wealth and contributes to the ic resources, are worth more to the vo Slates than if they bad been reserved as @ soli‘ude for future purchasers. The lamentable events of the last four years, and the sacrifices made by the gallant men of our Army and Navy, bas swelled the records of the Pension Bureau to an unprecedented extent. On the 20th day of June Jast, the total number of pensioners was $5,0*6, requiring for their annual pay, exclusive of expenses, the sum of $8.(23,445. The numberof applications that bave been allowed since that date will re- guire a lorge increase of this amount for the next fiscal year. The meanr for the payment of the stipends due, under existing laws. to our disabled sol- diers and sailors, and to the 1amilies of such as have perished in the service of the conntry, will no doubt be cheerfully and promptly granted. A grateful people will not hesitate o sanction any measures having for their ob- ject the relief of soldiers mutilated and fami- lies made fatherless in the efforts to preserve our national existence. The report of the Postmaster General pre- sents an enconraging exhibit of the operations of the Post Office Department during the year. The revenues of the past year from the loyal Srates alone exceeded the maximum annual receipts from all the States previous to the rebellion, in the sum of $6,005,09i; and the annual ayersge increa@e of revenue during the last four years, compared with the revenues ot the four years immediately preceding the rebellion, was 3,533,815. The revenues of the last fiscal year amounted to $14,556,158, and the expenditures to $13,694,728, leaving a sur- plus of receipts over expenditures of $461,430. Progrees bas been made in restoring the pos- tal eeryice in the Southern States. The views presented by the Postmaster General against the policy ef granting subsidies to ecean mail steamship lines upon established routes, and in favor of eontinuing the present system, which limits the compensation for ocean ser- vice to the postage earnings, are recommended to the careful consideration of Congress. It appears, from the report of the Secretary of the Navy, that while, at the commencement of the preseng year, there was in commission 350 Vessels of all classes and descriptions, armed With 3,40 guns and manned by 51,000 men, the number of vessels at present in commission is 117, with S30 guns end 12,128 men, By this prompt reduction of the naval forces the ex- penses of the Government have been largely diminished, anda number of yessels purchased for nayal purposes from the merchant marine, bave been returned to the peaceful pursuits of commeree. Since the suppression of active hostilities our foreign squadrons baye been re-established, ard consists of vessels much more efficient than those employed on similar service pre- vious to the rebeliion, The suggestion for the erlergement of the navy yards, and especially for the establishment of one in fresh water for iron-clad veseeis, is deserving of consideraiion, as is also the recommendation for a different Jecation and more ample grounds for the Na- val Academy. In the report of thd Secretary of War, a gen- eral summary is given of the military cam- ptig¢ns of is64 and 1565, ending in the suppres- sion of armed stance to the national anthor- iy in the msurgent States. The operations of yeneral odministrative Bureas of the War Department during the past year are detailed. and an estimate made of the appropriations that will be required for military purposes in the fiteal year mmencing the 30th day of June, 16 7 ional military force on the Ist of Miry, ts numbered 1,000,516. Itis proposed to reduce the militaSy estab- lishment to y peace footing, comprehending filty thousand troops of all arms, organized so 48 to adwmitof an enlargement by filling up the ranks to cighty-two thousand ix hundred, if the circumstances of the country should re- quire an augmentation of the army. The yol- unteer force has already been reduced by the discharge trom service of over eight hundred thousand troops, and the Department is pro- ceeding rapidly im the work of further reduc- hon. ‘The war estimates are reduced from $516,- 240,131 10 $33,514,461, which amount, in the opinion of the Department, is adequate fora peace establishment. The measure ef retrench- meutin each Burean and branch of the service exhibit a diligent economy worthy of commen- dation. Reterence is alto made in the report to the necessity of providing for a uniform milifia system, and to the propriety of making suitable provision for wounded and disabled officers and-soldiers. The reven system of the country is a sub- ject of vital interest to its honor and prosperi- ly, ond should command the earnest considera. uon of Congress. ‘The Secretary of the Trea- sory will lay before you a {uli and detailed report of the reoeipts and disbursements of the last fiecal year, of the first quarter of the present fiscal year, of the probable receipts and expenditures for the other three quarters, and the estimates for the year following the 3th of June, i566. I might content myself with @ reference to that report, in which you will find all the information required for your Celiberations and decision. Lut the paramount importance of the stbject fo presses itself on My Own mind. that I can- not but lay before you my views of the measures which are required for the good character, nad, 1 might also say, for the existence of this peo- ple. The life ef arepublic lies certainly in the energy, Virtue, and intelligenee of its citizens; but itis equally true that a good revenue sys- ter is the life Of an organized government. I meet you atr time when the nation has yolun- tarily burdened itself with a debt unprece- dented in our annals. Vast as is its amount, it faees away into nothing compared with the countless blessings that will be coaferred upon ovr country and upon man by the preservation of the nation’s life. Now, on the first occasion of the meeting of Congress since the return of peace, it is of the utmost importance toinaugurate a just policy, which shall at once be put in motion, and which shall commend itself to those who come after us for its continuance. We must aim at nothing less than the complete effacement of the financial evils that necessarily followed a stute of civil war. We must endeavor to ap- ply the earhest remedy tothe deranged state of the currency, and not shrink from devising a policy which, without being odpressive to the people, ehall immeeiately begin to effect a re- duction of the debt, and. if persisted in, dis- cbarge it fully within a definitely fixed num- ber of years. It is cur first duty to prepare in earnest for our recovery from the ever-increasing evils of an irredeemable culrenucy, without a sudden revition, and fa without untimely procrasti- nation. For that end, we must, each in our re- spective positions, prepare the way. I hold it the duty of the Executive to insist upon fra- eality in the expenditures; and asparing econ- omy isitselfa great national resource. Of the banks to which authority has been given to issue notes secured by bonds of the United States, we may require the greatest moderation snd prudence, and the law must be rigidly en- forced when its limits are exceeded. We may, each one of us, counsel our active and enierprising countrymen to be constantly ou their guard. to liquidate debts contracted in ® paper currency, ond, by conducting business As Neary Ks possible on a system of cash pay- ments or short credits, to hold themselves pre- pared to return to the standard of gold and sil- yer. To aid our fellow citizens in the prudent management of their monetary affairs, the cuty devolves on us to diminish by law the emount of paper money now in cirenlotion, Five years ggo the bi note circulation of the country amounted to not much more than two bundred mijlions; now the circulation, bank and national, exceeds seven hundred millions. The eimple statementof the tact recommends more strovely than any words of mine could do, the necessity of restraining this expansion. The gradual reauction of the currency Is the Only Measure that can save the business of the couptry from disestrous calamities; and thie can be almost impeaceptibly accomplished by eradvally funding the national circalruon i securities (bat may be redeemabie at the pleasure of the Government. Gur debt is doubly eecure—firet in the actual Wealth and still greater undeveloped resources: of the country: and uext in the character ofour institutions. “The most intelli, NZ. 3,980. among political economists have not failed to Temark that the public debt of the country ts fale in proportion 4s its ple are tree; that the debt of & republic is the safest of all. Our hietory confirms and establishes the theory, and is, I firmly believe, destined to give ita still more signal illustration, The secret of this tuperioaiy springs not merely from the fact that in a republic the national obligations are distributed more widely through countless numbers in all clasees of society; it has ats root in the character of our laws. Here al} men contribute to the public wel- fare, and bear their fair share of the public burdens. Durmg the war, under the impulses of patriotism, the men ot the great body of the people, without regard to their own compara- tive want of wealth, thronged to onr armies, and filled our fleets of war. and held them- selves ready to offer their lives for the public ood. Now. in their turn, the property and Income of the country should bear their just proportion of the burden of taxation, while in OUr linpost system, through means of which increased vitality is incinentally imparved to allthe industrial interests of the nation, the Guties should be so adjusted asto fall most heavily on articles of hixury, leaving thd ne- ceesaries of life as free from taxation as the absolute wants of the Government, econtpfui- cally administered. will jnstit No favored class should demand freedom from asscesment, and the taxes should be so distributed as not to fall unduly on the poor, but rathercn the accumulated wealth of the country. Weshould look at the national det just as it is—not as a national blessing, but as heavy burden on the industry the country, to be discharged without une ary delay It is estimated by the Secretary of ihe Treas- ury thatthe expenditures for the fixeal year ending the 30th of June, i*66, will exceed the receipts $112,198.47. It is gratifying, bow. ever, to state that it is also estimated that the revenue for the year ending the 3uth of Jane, 1667, will exceed the expenditures in the sum of $111, This amount, or so much May Pe deemed.sufficient for the purpose, may be applied to the reduction of the public debt, which, on the 3ist day of October, i565, was 2,740,554, 750. Every reduction will diminish the total Smount of interest to be paid, and so enlarge the means of still furtyer reductions, until the whole shall be liquidated; and this, as will be seen from the estimates of the Secretary of the Treasury, may be accomplished by ‘annual payments even within a period not exceeding thirty years. I have faith thas we shall do ail this within a rearonable time; that, as we haye amazed the world by the suppression of a civil h was thonght to be beyond the con- y Government, so we Shall equally show the superiority of our institutions by the prompt and faithful discharge of our national obligations. The Lepartment of Agricultnre, under its preeent eirection, is accomplishing much in developing and utilizing the vast agricultural capacities of the country, and for information reepecting the details of its management refer- ence is made to the annual report of the Com- missioner. « i have dwelt thus fully on our domestic affairs because of their transcendent import- ance. Under any circumstances, our great ex- tent of territory and variety of climate, pro- ducing almost everything that is necessary to the wants and even the comforts of man, make us singularly independent of the varying pol- icy of foreign Powers, and protect us again every temptation to “entangling alliances while at the present moment the re-establish- ment of harmony, and the strength that comes from harmony, will be our best security against “nations who feed power and forget right.” For myself, it has been and it will be m: constant simn to promote peace and amity with 8ll foreign nations and Powers ai have every reason to believe that they ail, without exception, are animated by the same dispo- siuon. Our relations with the Emperor of China, £0 recent in their origin, are most friend- ly. Our commerce with his domimions te re- ceiving new developments; and it is very pleasing to find that the Government of that great Empire manifests satisfaction with our policy, and reposes just confidence in the fair- Less which marks our intercourse. The unbroken harmony between the United States and the Emperor of Russia isrec iving ew sopport from an eaterpri-e designed to carry telegraphic lines across the continent of Asia, through his dominions, and so to connect us With all Europe by a new channel of tercourse, Our commerce with South Ameri ie xLout to receive encouragement Ly a dir of mail steamships to the rising Empire of il, The distinguished party of men of science who have recently lett our country to mike @ scientific exploration of the natural history and rivers and mountain ranges of that region, have received from the Emperor that eeRrerous welcome which was to haye been ex- cted trom his constant friendship fur the ‘nited States, and his well-known zeal in pro- moting the advancement of knowledge. A hope is entertained that our commerce Witn the rich and populous couniries that border the Mediterranern sea may be largely incrensed. Nothing will be wanting, on the part of this Governmect, to ex'end the protec- tion of our fiag over the enterprise of our fel- low-citizens. e receive from the Powers in that region assurances of good will; aud it is worthy of note that a special enyoy has brought us messages of condolence on the Geath of our ‘ate Ceief Magistrate from the Bey ot Tunis, whose rule includes the old dominions of Usrthage, on the African coast. Our domestic contest, now happily ended, has Je{t some traces in our relations with one at least of the great maritime Powers. The formal accordance of belligerent rights to the insurgent States was unprecedented, and has not been justified by the issue. But in the systems of neutrality pursued by the Powers which made that concession, there was a marked difference. The materials of war for the ineurgent Stases were furnished, in a great roeasure, from the werkshops of Gyeat Britain ; and Briteeh ships, manned by British subjects, and prepared for receivin, rilish armamente, fallied from the ports of Great Britain to make war on American commerce, under the shelter of a commission from the insurgent States. These ships, having once escaped from Brit- igh ports, ever afterwards entered them in every part of the world, to refit, and so to re- new their depredations.’ The consequences of this conduct were most disastrous te the States then in rebellion, increasing their desolation and misery by the prolongation of our civil contest. It had, moreover, the effect, to a great extent, to drive the American flag from the sea, and to transfer much cf our shipping and our commerce to the very power pf th subjects had created the necessity for such a change. These events took place before I was called to the administration of the Government. The sincere desire for peace by which i am anima- ted led me to approve the proposal, already made, to submit the questions which had thus arisen between the countries to arbitration. These questions are of such moment that they must bave commanded the attention of the grea; Powers, and are £0 inteoworen with the peace and.interests of every one of them as to have ensured an impartial decision, I re- gret th inform you that Great Britain declined the arbitrament. bat on tne other hand, in- yited us to the formation of a joint commission to settle muteal claims between the two coun- tries, from wBich those fer the depredations begore ae should be excluded. The Pproporiticn, in that yerp unsatis‘actory form, Baslbeen declined. > : The United Siates did not present the sub- € 48 animpeachment of the faith ofa ‘ower which was profeseing the most friendly Cispositions, but as involying questions of public law, of which the settlement is essen- tial to the peace of nations; and, thongh pecu- nisry reparation to their injured citizens would bave followed incidentally on a decision against Great Breat Britain, such compensa- tjon was pot their primary object. They had a highez molive, and it was in the interests of peace end justice to establish important prin- ciples of international Jaw. The correspond- ence will be placed before you. The ground on which the British Minister rests his jurisdiction is, substantially, that the municipal law ofa nation, and the domestic interpretations of that law, are the measure of ite duty as a neutral; and i feel bound to de- clare my opinion, before you aud before the world, that that justification cannot be sus- tained before the tribunal of nations. At the same timeI do not advise to any present at- tempt at redrees by acts of legislation. For the future, friendship between the two coubtries must rest on the basis of mutnal justice. From ibe moment of the establishment of our free Constitution, the civilized world has been conyuised by revolution in the interests of democracy or of monarchy; but through all those revolutions the United States have wise- dists ns Jy and firmly refused to become propagan: efrepnblicaniem. It is the only government suited to our condition: but we ten never sought to im it on others; and we have consistently followed the advice of Washington to recommend it only by the careful preserva- tion and prudent use of the bj 5 During all the intervening the policy in respect to such interference. On both occa- siops the monstrance of the United States ‘Was rrepected, from a deep conviction, om the part of Earopens Governments. that the tem of Don ipterfererce and mutual from propogaudism was the true rule for the two bemispheres. Since those times we have adyaneed in wealth and power but we retain the same Purpose to leave the nations of Europe to choose their own dypasticeand form their tems of government. This consistent modera. tion may instly demand a corfes ponaing mod. eration.” We should regerd it as a great calam. ily fo ouTerl ves, to the cause of good government and to the peace of the world, shonld any Bu. ropesn Power challence the American prople, Re it were, to the defence of republicanism aginst foreign interference. We cannot foresee and ai unwilling to con- sider what opportunities might preeent them- s¢lves, what combinations might offer to Protect curselves againsi designs inimicn] to our form ef government. The United Statex desire to act im the futmre as they have ever acted here. totore; they never will be driven from that course but by the aggression of European Powers; snd we rely on the wisdom and justice of those Powers to respect the system of non. tnterterenee which hae so long been sanctioned ty lime, and which, by its good resuits, has upp loved itself to both contiven The corsespondence between the United ties gpd Pia in reference to quertions ich have become subjects of dieenssion be- the two Governments, will, at @ proper re, be laid before Congress, When anivation ofour Govern. Jonstitution, the Prestdent of nited States delivered bis inaugdral ad- to the two Houses of Congress, be said to them. and through them to the try and to mankind, that «the preservation of the sacred tire of liberty and the destiny of the repubti- cam model of government are justly considered as deeply. perhaps as finally staked on the ex- peTiment intrusted to the Amer.can peeple. And the House of Representati Bue wered Washington by the voice of M on: «We edore the invisible band which has ied the American pecple, throughto mony difficulties, to chevish & copscious responsibily for the des- Upy of republicen liberty " More than seve ty-ix yeers Dave glided Sway since these words were spoken, the Upind States have parsed through severer trials than were joreseen; snd pow, at this epoch in our existence as one nation, with our Union purifea by sorrows, and strengthened “sy conflict, anc establisbed-by the virtne of the people, the grpainess of the occasion in- vites us once more to repeat, with solemuity, the pledges of our fathers to hold ourselves answerable before our ‘or the suc- ctts of the repr ‘an form of government. Experiance h proved it Miciepcy in Peace and in war; if bas ying ed its author- Ny through Cangere, and afflictions, and eud- cen &nd terrible emergenciea, which would have crosned any syetem ima! had been less firmly fixed in cle heer! of the people. Al the inavguration of Washington the foreign rela- Hons ef the country were few, and us trade Ws repreesed by hastile regulatic the civilized bations of the globe commerce, d their Goseinments protess towards ue Binity. Then our country felt its way hesitatingly along an untried path, with States so Livvie bound together by rapid means of communica- tion as to be hardly known to another, and with bisteric tradit. « over very few en the States is Swictand intimate, the experience of cen- turies bas been crowded into a jew renera- tions, and bas created an intense, indestructi- ble nationality. Then our jurisdiction did not reach beyoad the inconvenient boundarics of the territory which bad achieved independence; now, through cessions of lands, first colonized by Npain and France, the country bas acquired a more complex cburacter, 2nd “has for iis uatu- ral limits the chain of Lukes, the Gult of Mex- ico, and on the east and ihe west the two great oceans. Other nations were wasted by civil ware for ages before they could eetabli-b for them-elves | the necessary Gegree of unity ; the latent con- viction that our a government is the bestever known to the World, hus enabdied us toemerg: from civil war within foar years, With a complete vindication of the coustitu- tienal authority of the General Gicverament, and with our iscal liberties and State iustitu- uons unimpaired. seoples in Our per tand of free lebor, where indu apled rewards, and the bread of is sweetened by the con- he country is own digmi- use of his aS & puttu- Here every one enjoys i as n has insreased fi fod » Pope century. Here, throagh the easy de- wealth has Htei boundless resources, sed with two-fold greater Ts, £0 that we be st the Mnancial vick velopn ther cour- +, Sud, alike in business and in opinion, are eelt-centrec and truly independent Hexe more and more care ts given to provide pn for every one born on our soil. Mere releared from political connection the civil government, refases to subserve he craft of stateemen, and becomes, in tts in- dependence, the spiritual life of the people Here toleration is extended to every opinion, in the quiet certainty that truth nerds only a tair field to secure the victory. Here the ha- mnn mind goes forth unshackled tn the p snit of science, to collect stores of knowle and acquire an ever-increasing mastery over the forces of nature. Bere the national domain is off millions ¢f separate f citizens, beyond the « an theearth, constitute in reality a pec ists the democratic form of government ; and that form of government, by the confessiot Eure- pean statesmen, “ gives a power of which no other form is capable, because it incorporates every man with {the State and arouses everything that be- longs to the soul.”’ Where, in past history. the public Lapritess whic the joes & parallel exist to his within the reach of the people o! ted Btates here. in any part of the globe, can institutions be fornd so suit «d to their habits, or so entitled to their love as their own free Constitution. Every one of them then, in whatever part of the land he bas his home, must with it perpetuity. Who of them will mot cknowledge, in the words of Washington h the people of tne Uni ed to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distin hed by some token of Providential ageu-y.” will not jor with me isibte band which has bh ‘ound our ct restorat i we ot this day may be great inheritence, of State their rights. whole constitutional vigor to our posterity. aad they to theirs through couutiees generations. \! ANDREW JOUNSON, Wasuineton, Dec. 4, 186’ ——+ore,_____ REPORT OF THE SECRETARY oF WAR. The report of Secretary Stanton, looked tor ‘with £0 much interest, will form one of the most important public docament, on record. The military appropriations by the last Con. gress amounted tothe sum of $516,240,131.70, The military estimates for the next fiscal year, atter careful revision, amount to $33,814,461.- +3. The cational military force on the first of May, 1865, numbered one miliion five hundred and sixteen men. It is proj to redace the military establiehment to fifty thousand troops, end over eight bundred thousand have already been mustered out of service, Secretary Stanton proceecs toexplain what bas occasioned this reduction of force and ex- penditure and doing so narrates in concire lan- guage the military operations of the year and wonderful results therefrom. The history of this closing ‘of the war given in the vigorous yet moderately worded lan- eu ofthe Secretary of War is of exceeding interest, but we have space to-day only to al- ludefto it. Following upon the surrender of Lee the at. tention of the department was immediately di- rected to the following objects, and on the 13th of April, four days after se surrender, pub. lic notice was given that orders would be speedily issued to carry them into effect, viz: First. To stop all drafting and recruiting in the Joyal States. Second. To curtail purchases of arms, am- munition, quartermaster and commissary sup. plies, and reduce the expenses of the military establicbment in the several branches, Third. To reduce the number of general and — cflicers to che actual necessity of the ser- vice. Fourth. To remove all mi restrictions upon trade and commerce, so far as might be consistent with the public safety. These measures bave been carried into effect from time to time, ss the exigencies of the ser- vice would adm’ Teport ol the Adjutant General that troops to the number of 800,963 have already been mus- tered, paid off, and diethanded, Farther redne- tion is contemplated. Upon the discharge of troops the ices of & great number of staff, field, and general officers were no longer re- quired. Of these some have resigned, ant others were hororably mustered eut. No doubt Dn many instences it has been painful for gal- laut and accomplished officers to leave that ser- viee to which they have been Soeustomed, and ‘where tbeybave won honorabledistinction. But itisto the credit ofthe volunteer service that they haverecogniged the obligation of the gov - [CONTINUED OF POURTH Pace)