OCR Interpretation


Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, December 05, 1854, Image 2

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J?rt?ialY would hav* Uwn most Mtu&ctorj to me
lithe object* of the " Cyane'* "mission could have
i >wu consummated without any set of public force;
bat the arrogant contumacy of the offender* r?u
dared it impossible to aroid the alternative, either
*0 break up their establishment, er to tear* them
impressed with the idea that the* might persevere
with impunity in a career of insolence and plunder.
_ This transaction has been the subject of oom
CM on the part of some foreign powers, and lias
n Characterized with more of harshness than of
? jwtiee. If couiparieoue-were to be instituted, it
would not be difficult to present repeated instances
lo the history of States, standing in the very front
of modern civilisation, where communities, far less
offending and more defenceless than Grcytown,
have beenchastised with much greater severity, and
* here not cities only have been laid in ruins, but
human life has been recklessly sacrificed, and the
blood of the innocent made profusely to mingle
with that of the guilty.
Passing from foreign to domestic affairs, your
attention is naturally airccted to the financial con
dition of the country, always a subject of general
Interest. For complete and exact information re
garding the finances, and tlio various branches of
the public service connected therewith, I refer you
to the report of tho (Secretary of the Treasury;
from which it will appear, that tho amount of re
venue during the last fiscal year, from all sources,
w*? seventy-three million five hundred and forty
bine thousand seven hundred and five dollars; and
that the public expenditures for the same period,
exclusive of payments on account of tho public
debt, amounted to fifty-one million eighteeu thous
and two hundred and forty-nine dollar*.
During the same poriod, the payment* made in
redemption of the public debt, including interest
and premium, amounted to twenty-four million
three hundred and thirty-six thousand three hun
dred and eighty dollars. To the sum total of the
rccelpti of that year is to be added a balance re
maining In the Treasury at tho commencement
thereof, amounting to twenty-one million nine hun
dred and forty-two thousand eight hundred and
ninety-two dollars; and at the close of the same
year, a corresponding balance amounting to twen
ty million one hundred and thirty-seven thousand
nine hundred and sixty-seven dollars of receipts |
above expenditures, also remained In the Treasu
ry. Although, in the opinion of the Secretary of
the Treasury, the receipts of the current fiscal
year are not likely to equal In amount those of the
last, yet they will undoubtedly exceed the amount
of expenditures by at least fifteen millions of dol- I
lor*.
I shall, therefore, coutiouc to direct that the sur
plus revenue be applied, so far as it can be judi
ciously and economically done, to the reduction of
the public debt, the amount of which, at the com
mencement of the last fiscal year, was sixtv-seven
million three hundred and forty thousand six hun
dred and twenty-eight dollars ; of which there had
b?cn paid on the twentieth day of November, 1854,
the sum of twenty-two million three hundred and
?ixty-five thousand ono hundred and seventy
two dollars; leaving a balance of outstanding I
public debt of only forty-four million uino hun
dred and seventy-five thousand four hundred oud
fifty-six dollars, redeemable at different periods
within fourteen years. There arc alio remnants of
other government stocks, most of which are alrea
dy due, and on which the Interest has ceased, but
which have not yet been presented for payment,
amounting to two hundred and thirty-three thou
sand one hundred and seventy-nine dollars. This
statement exhibits the fact, that the annual income
of the government greatly excceds tho amount of
its public debt, which latter remains unpaid, onlv
because the timo of payment has not yet matured",
aud it cannot bo discharged at once, cxcept at the
option of public creditors, who prefer to retain the
tecurities of the United States ; and the other fact,
not less striking, that the annual revenue from all
sources, exceeds by many millions of dollars, the
amount needed for a prudent and economical ad
ministration of the government.
The estimates presented to Congn i from the
different Executive Departments, at the last scs
aion amounted tp thirty-eight million four hundred
and six thousand five hundred and eighty-one dol
lars ; and the appropriations made, to the ?ftm of
fifty-eight million one hundred and sixteen thou
sand nine hundred and fifty-eight dollars. Of this
excess of appropriations over estimates, however,
more than twenty millions was applicable to extra
ordinary objects, having no reference to the usual
annual expenditures. Among tlicnc objects was
embraced ton millions to meet the third article of
the treaty between the United States and Mexico;
?o that, in fact, for objects of ordinary expendi
ture, the appropriations were limited to considera
bly less than forty millions of dollars. I therefore
renew my recommendation for a reduction of the
duties on imports. The report of the Secretary of
tho Treasury presents a series of tables, showing
the oporation of the revenuo system for sevcrid
successive years, and as "the general principle of
reduction of duties with a view to revenue and not
protection may now be regarded as the settled poli
cy of the country, I trust that little difficulty will
be encountered in settling the details of a measure
to that effect.
In connexion with this aubjoct, I recommend a
change in the laws, which recent experience has
ahown to be essential to the protection of the gov
ernment There is no express provision of law, re
quiring the records and papers of a public character
of the several officers of the government, to be left
In their offices for the use of their successors, nor
any provision declaring It felony on their part to
make false entries in the books, or return false ac
counts. In the absence of such express provision
by law, the outgoing officers, in many instances,
have claimed ana exercised tNi right to take into
their own possession. Important books and papers,
on the ground that these were their private pro
perty ; and have placed them beyond the reach of
the government. Conduct of this character,
brought in several instances to the notice of the
present Secretary of the Treasury, naturally
awakened his suspicion, and resulted in the
disclosure that at four ports, namely?Oswego,
Toledo, SondViaky, and Milwaukic, the Treasury
had, by false en trios, been defrauded, within the
four years next preceding March, 188S, of the sum
of one hundred and ninety-eight thousand dollars.
The great difficulty with which the detection of
these frauds has been attended, in consequence of
the abstraction of books and papers by the retiring
officers, and the facility wilh which similar frauds
In the public service may be perpetrated, render
the necessity of new legal enactments, In the re
spects above referred to, quite obvious. For other
material modification* of the revenue laws, which
seem to me desirable, I refer you to the report of
the Secretary of the Treasury. That report, and
the tables which accompany ft, tarnish smplc proofs
of the solid foundation on which the financial secu
rity of the country rests, and of the salutary influ
ence of thenn dependent treasury system upon com
moree and all monetary operations!
Ths experience of the last year fViniiahes addi
tional reasons, I regret-to say, of a painful charac
ter, for the recommendation heretofore made, to
provide for increasing the military forcc employed
in the territory inhabited by the Indians. The set
tlers on th* frontier have suffered much from the
Incursions of predatory bands, and large partim
of emigants to our Pacific possessions have been
massacred with impunity. The recurrence of such
seenos can only be prevented by teaching these
wild tribe* the power of, and their responsibility
to, the United State*. From the garrisons of our
frontier porta, it l* only possible to detach troops
lo small bodies; and though these have on all oc
caaion* displayed a gallantry and a *tern devotion
to duty, which on a larger field would have com
manded universal admiration, they have usually
?uffcred severely in theee conflicts with superior
number*, and have sometimes been entirely sacri
ficed. All the disposable force of the army is al
ready employed on this service, and Is known to
be wholly inadequate to the protection which
should bo afforded. The public mind of the coun
try has been recently shocked by savage atrocities
committed upon defenceless emigrants and txirder
settlement*, and hardly less b) the unnecessary
destruction of valuable lives, where inadequate
detachment* of troop* have undertaken to furnish
the needed aid Without increase of the military
force, these scenes will be repeated, it is to he
feercd, on a larger scale, and with more disastrous
consequence*. Congress, I am sire, will perceive
that the plainest duties and responsibilities of gov
ernment are involved in this question, and 1 doubt
not that prompt action inay lie confidently antici
paled Vhen delay most be attended by such fear
nil hazards
The bill of the last seasion, providing for an in
erease of the pay of the rank and file of the army
baa had beneficial result*, not only In facilitating
enlistment*, but in obvious improvement in the
cla? of men who enter the ?ervice. I regret that
corresponding Consideration wa* not bestowed on
the officer*, who, in view of their character and
?arrioae, and the expenses to Which they are ne
I eessarily subject, receive at preaeut what ia, in my
judguiaut, inadequate compensation
\ The valuable aervicee oooatautly rendered by the
army, and its iiMjatiiaable importance, aa the nu
cleua around which the volunteer forrea of the ua
lion can promptly gat tier in the hour of danger,
sufficiently attest the niaduiii of maintaining a mil
itary peace establishment; but tha theory of our
system and the wise practice under it, require that
*uy proposed augmentation, in time of peace, be
only commensurate with our extended limit* and
frontier relations. While scrupulously adhering to
thin principle, I find, in existing circumstances, a
necessity Tor increase of our military force, and' it
1s believed that four new regiments, two of infant
ry and two of mounted men, will be sufficient to
meet the present exigency. If It were necessarv
careftdly to weigh the cost in a case of such urgen
cy, it would be shown that the additional expense
would be comparatively light.
With the increase of the numerical force of the
army should, I think, be combined certain measures
or reform in its organic arrangement and adminis
J';e preseut, organization is the result of
partial legislation oftou directed to special oliiects
Slid interest!!; and the laws regulating rank and
command, having been adopted many years ago
from the British code, arc not always applicable to
our service. It ia not surprising, therefore, that
i IT*- " "hould be deficient in the symmetry and
simplicity essential to the harmonious working of
iM?Ve I>arts' 4nc' require a careful revision.
The present organization, by maintaining large
staff corps of departments, separates many officers
from that close connexion with troops, and those
active duties in the field, which are deemed requisite
to qualify them for the varied resijonsibilities of
high command. Were the duties of the army staff
raaiuly discharged by officers detached from their
regiments, it is believed that the special service
would be equally well performed, and the discipline
?nd instruction of the army be improved. While
due regard to the security of the rights of officers,
and to the nice sense of honor which should be
cultivated among them, would seem to exact com
pliance with the established rule of promotion in
ordinary cases, still it can hardly be doubted that
the range of promotion by selection, which is now
practically confined to the grade of general officers,
might be somewhat extended with benefit to the
public service.
Observance of tho rule of seniority sometimes
lead*, especially in time of peace, to tho promo
tion of officers who, after meritorious and even dis
tinguished service, may have been rendered by
age or infirmity incapable of performing active
duty, and whose advancement, therefore, would
tend to impair the efficiency of the army. Suita
, provision for this class of officers, by the crea
tion of a retired list, would remedy the evil, witli
I out wounding tho just pride of men who, by past
j scrv ces, have established a clrflm to high coiisid
j eration. In again commending this measure to the
favorable eonsideration of Congress, I would suggest
, ?f placing officers on the retired list lie
United tojone year. The practical operation of the
r:rrld If, after the lapge
of years, there should be occasion to renew the pro
vision, it can be reproduced with any improvements
which experience may indicate. The present or
ganization of the artillery into regiments i* liable
to obvious objections. The service of artillery
is that or batteries, and an organization of batteries
into a corps of artillery would be more consistent
[ with the nature of their duties. A large part of
j the troops now called artillery are, and have been
on duty as infantry; the distinction between the
two arms bemg merely nominal. This nominal ar
tulery in our service is entirely disproportionate to
0 ")rc?. ?nd greater than the wants of the
country demand. I therefore commend the discon
tinuance of a distinction, which has no foundation
in either the arms used or the character of the ser
vice expccted to be performed.
In connexion with the proposition" for the in
crease of the army, I havo presented these sug
gestions with regard to certain measures of reform
as the complement of a system which would pro
duce the happiest results from a given expenditure,
and wluch I hope may attract tho early attention,
and be deemed worthy the approval, of Congress.
Tho recommendation of the Secretary of the
;; !f!V ?g.-ro re?C6 inopo Hinp'? provisions
for the discipline and general improvement in char
"r !?r the rr"orKall'z?tion and
gradual increase 0f the navy. I deem eminently
worthy of your favorable consideration. The prin
ciples, which have controlled our policy in relation
to the permanent military force, by sea and land
are sound, consistent with the theory of our ays!
tea, and should by no means be disregarded. Hut
I miting the force to the objects particularly set
?hm m" !" pr<jC0( nKLP*rt of this message, we
should not overlook the present magnitude and
prospective^extension of our commercial marine
nor fall u.give due weight to the feet that, besides
the two thousand mdes of, Atlantic seaboard we
,n If T-.* I aCiilC T81' 8tpetchin?? from Mexico
to the British possessions in the North, teeming
with wealth and enterprise, and demanding the
WMUnt presence -hip^of-war. The augment.
of,tho ?fr7 not kept pace with th? duties
properly and profitably assigned to it in time of
peace, and it is inadequate for the large field of its
operations, not merely in the present but still more
in the progressively increasing exigencies of the
wealth and commerce of the United States. I cor
dially approve of the proposed apprentice system
for our national vessels recommended by the Sec
retary of the Navy.
The occurrence, during tha last few months, of
marine disasters of the most tragic nature, involv
ing great kiss of human life, has produced intense
emotions of sympathy and sorrow throughout
tho country. It may well bo doubted whether all
these calamitoua events arc wholly attributable to
the necessary and inevitable dangers of the sea
The merchants, mariners, and ship-builders of the
I nited States, are, it is true, unsurpassed in far
reaching enterprise, skill, intelligence, and cour
age, by any others in the world. But, with the
increasing amount of our commercial tonnage in
the aggregate, and the larger size and improved
equipment of the ships now constructed, a defi
ciency in the supply of reliable seamen begins to be
very seriously felt. The inconvenience may per
haps, be met, in part, by due regulation for the in
troduction into our merchant ships, of Indented ap
' whi<i1'' whi,? '' would afford useful and
eligible occupation to numerous young men, would
have a tendency to raise the character of seamen
as a class. And It in deserving of serious reflection
whether it may not bo desirable to revise the ex
isting laws for the maintenance of discipline at sea,
upon which the security of life and property on the
ocean must to so great an extent depend.
Although much attention has already been given
1 ?y I on great to the proper construction and ar
rangement of steam veasels and all passenger ships,
still it is behaved that the achievements of science and
mechanical skill in this direction have not been ex
hauated No good .reason exists for the marked
distinction, which appear* upon our statutes be
tween the laws for protecting lift, and property at
sea, and those for protecting them on land ' In
most of the States severe penalties are provided to
ponlali conductors of trains, engineer*, and others
employed In the transportation of persons by rail
way, or by steamboats on rivers. Why sfeuid not
the same principle be applied to acts of insubordi
nation, cowardice, or other miaconduct on the part
of masters and mariners, producing injury or death
to Passengers on the high seas, beyond the juris
diction of any of the Statea, and where such deHn
quencies can be reached only by the power of Con
greaa ? The whole subject ia earnestly commended
to your consideration.
The report of the Postmaster lioneral, to which
you are referred Sir many interesting details in re
lation to this important and rapidly-extending
branch of the public service, shows that the ex
penditure of tha year ending June 80, 1864 |n.
eluding one hundred and thirty-three thousand four
hundred and eighty-three dollars of balance due fo
foreign offices, amounted to eight million seven
hundred and ten thousand nine hundred and aeven
dollars.
Tha groas receipts during the same period
amounted to six million nine hundred and fifty-five
thousand five hundred and eighty-six dollars: exhib
iting an expenditure over Income "of one million seven
hundred and fifty-five thousand three hundred and
twenty-one dollars, and a diminution of deficiency
as compared with the last year, of three hundred
and sixty-one thousand seven hundred and fiftv-slx
dollars. The increase of the revenue of the depart
nient, for the year ending June 80, 1854, over the
preceding year, waa nine hundred and seventy thou
sand three hundred and ninety-nine dollars. No pro
portionate increase, however, can he anticipated
r the current year, in consequence of the act of
t-ongreaa of June 28, 1884, providing for Increased
mJXkT *? a" From these statc
ill" th*4 th? P<*t Office Depart
to thVrf"^ . drfr,yln* lu **pensea, according
?d undtT.., thr l'n" M iU creation, Is now*
and under axlsting law. moat continue to ba. to ro
wnail extent, ? cliarge upon the general Treawirv
The coat of mail transportation, during the year
ending Jumr 80 1864, exceed, the coet of the pre
ll?, huudred tho*
?and and ?evnutjr-four dollar.. I ?g?in call vow
attention to the .abject of mail transportation by
[|^*P^1'^U'.er*,1Ma(1 <OBa,u<iI?1 auggeatiou. of
r> e,lunkl to Tour early attention.
During the laat ftacai y0(U. eleven million aeveuty
! Hh!"i ? i* hu"drwl thirty-ive acre* of the
public lauds have been surveyed, and eight million
one hundred and ninety thousand and seventeen
acre. brought into market The number of acre.
A j mi"iou thirty-five thousand .even hun
red and thirty-five, and the amount received there
for nine million two hundred and eighty-five thou.
and five hundred and thirty-three dollar*. Tl>e
aggregate amount of land, .old, located under mili
tary- scrip and land warrants, .elected a. .wamp
iamja by State., and by locating under grant, for
roads, is upwards of twenty-three millions of acres.
The increase of lauds .old, over the previous year
is about six million, of acre, j and the ule. during
the two first quarter, of the current year present
the extraordinary result of five and a half million,
sold, exceeding by nearly four million, of acre, the
sale, of the corresponding quarters of the laat year
thus Increasing to an extent unparalleled during
any like period in our pant history the amount of
revenue provided from thi. source for the Federal
Treasury.
The commendable policv of the governmeut in
relation to netting apart public domain for those who
have served their country in time of war, 1. illus
trated by the fact, that since 17SX) no less than
JJ* millions of acres have been applied to this
The suggestions which I submitted lu my annual
meneageof last year, in reference to grants of land
in aid of the construction of railways, were less
full and explicit than the magnitude of the subject
and subsequent developments would seem to ren
dor piyper and desirable. Of the soundness of
the principle then asserted with regard to the limi
tation or the power of Congress, I entertain no
doubt; but in its application it i. not enough that
the value of lands in a particular locality may be
enhanced; that, in feet, a larger amount of money
may probably bo received, In a given time, for al
ternate sections, than could have been realized for
all the sections, without the impulse and influence
of the proposed improvement.. A prudent pro
prietor look, beyond limited sections of his domain
beyond present results, to the ultimate effect which
?Particularline of policy is likelv to produce upon
all his possessions and iutcrests. ' The government,
which is trustee, in this matter, for the people of
the States, 1. bound to take the same wise and
comprehensive view. Prior to and during the last
session of Congress, upwards of thirty millions of
acres of lund were wlthdaawn frqpi public sale with
a view to applications for grauta of this character
pending beforo Congress.
A careful review of the whole subject led me to
direct tliat all such orders be abrogated, and the
lands restored to market; and instructions were
immediately given to that effect. The applications
at the last session contemplated the construction
ol more than five thousand miles of road, and
grant, to the amount of nearly twenty millions of
acres of the public domain. Even admitting the
kit nnL iP*^?fC?"grw,s 10 be unquestionable,
s it quite clear that the proposed grants would be
productive of good, and not evil? The different
;W- nD?ned' fT the prescnt- elcven
States of this Union, and one Territory. The rea
sons assigned for tho grants show that it is pro
posed to put the works speedily in process of con
struction. When wo reflect, that since tho com
mencement of the construction of railways in the
United State., stimulated a. they have been by tho
large dividends realized from the earlier works
over the great thoroughfare., and between the
most important points of commerce and population
encouraged by State legislation, and pressed for
i word by the amazing energy of private enterprise
only seventeen thousand miles have been com
pleted in all the States in a quarter of a century
when we see the crippled condition of many works
commenced and prosecuted upon what were deemed
to be sound principles, and safe calculations; when
we contemplate the enormous absorption of capital
withdrawn from tho ordinary channels of business
the extravagant rates of Interest at this moment
paid to continue operations, the bankruptcies not
merely m money, but in character, and tho inevit
able effect upon finances generally; can it be doubt
ed that the tendency is to run to excess in this
matter. Is it wise to augment this excess by en
couraging hopes of sudden wealth expected to flow
troin magnificent scheme, dependent upon the ac
tion of Congress? Does the spirit, which lias pro
duced such results, need to be stimulated or checked?
Is it not the better rule to leave all these works to
private enterprise, regulated, and, when expedient
aided by the co-operation of States? If constructed
by private capital, the stimulant and the check no
together, and furnish a salutary restraint against
speculative schemes and extravagance. But it is
manifest that, with the most effective guard, there
u danger of going too fast and too fer. '
Vi e may well pause before a proposition contem
plating a simultaneous movement for the coiutruc
t on of railroads, which, in extent, will equal, exclu
rtve of the great Pacific road and all its
branches, nearly one-third of the entire lenrth of
such works, now completed in the United States
and which cannot cost, with equipments, leg. than'
one hundred and fifty millions of dollars. The
daugora likely to result from combination, of inter
est of this character, can hardly be over estimated.
But independently of these considerations, where
is the accurate knowledge, the comprehensive in
telligence, which .hall discriminate between the
relative claims of these twenty-eight proposed roads
in eleven States and one Terrltorv ? Where will
you begin, and wheraend? Iftoenablo these cora
j panies to execute their proposed works it I. neces
sary that the aid of the general government be pri*
marily given, the policy will present a prot.lom so
comprehensive in its bearings, and so important to
our political and social well being as to claim, In
anticipation the severest analysis. Entertaining
these views, I recur with satisfaction to the expert
ence and action of the hut session of CongreiTm
furnishing assurance that the subject will not fell to
elicit a careful re-examination and rigid scrutiny.
It was my intention to present, on thi. occasion
some suggestions regarding internal improvements
by the general government, which want of time
at the close of the last session prevented my tub
nutting on the return to the flouse of Represent*
tive. with objections, of the bill entitled, "an act
making appropriation, for the repair, preservation
and completion of certain public work, heretofore
commenced under authoritv of law;" but the spacc
in this communication already occupied with other
matter of immediate public exigency constrain, me
U>.,!TCrTe th,t for * "Pccial message, which
will be transmitted to the two houses of (own-ess
at an early day.
The judicial establishment of the United States
requires modification, and certain reforms In the
manner of conducting the legal business of the
government are also much needed; but as I have
addressed you upon both of these subjects at
length before, I have only to call your attention to
the suggestions then made.
My former recommendation., In relation to suit
able provision fbr various objects of deep interest
to tho inhabitant, of the District of Columbia, are
renewed Many of these oljects partake largely
of a national character, and are important, inde
Ittndendy of their relation to the prosperity of the
only considerable organized community in the
Union, entirely unrepresented in Congress.
I have thus present^ suggestions on such sub
jects as appear to me to be of particular interest or
importance, and therefore most worthy of consider
ation during the short remaining period allotted to
the labor* of the present Congress.
Our forefcthors of the thirteen United Colonies,
in acquiring their independence, and in founding
this republic of the United State, of America, have
devolved upon u?, their descendants, the greatest
and the most noble trust ever committed to the
hand, of man, Imposing upon all, and especially
such as the pnhlic will inaV have invested, for the
time being, with political functions, (he most sacred
obligations. We have to maintain inviolate the
great doctrine of the Inherent right of popular self
government ; to reconcile the largest llbertv of the
individual citizen with complete security of the pnb
Hc order; to render cheerftl obedience' to the law.
of t he land ; to unite in forcing their execution, and
to frown indignantly on all combinations to resist
thein; to harmonize a sincere and ardent devotion
to the institutions of religious faith with the most
universal religions toleration; to preserve the
rights of all by causing oach to respect thoae
of the other; to carry forward every social im
Cwment to tho uttermost limit of human psr
tibility, by the free action of mind upon
mind, not by the obtrusive Intervention of misap
C?d force ; to uphold the integrity and guard the
itations of onr organic law; to preserve sacred
from all touch of tmirpation, as the vary palladium
of our political salvation, the referred power* of
the several States and of tbe people; to oheriah
with loyal fealty and devoted *a.< Uun, iKk Union!
aa tbe only sure foundation on which the hope* of
civil liberty rest; to sdminiator govenwwot with
vigilant integrity and rigid economy ; to cultivate
peace and friendship with foreign nations, and to
demand and exact equal justice from all, but to do
wrong to none ; to eschew inu-i ineddtog with the
national policy and tbe domestic repose of other
governments, and to repel it from our own; never
to shriuk from war when the righto and tbe honor of
the country call ua to anus, but to cultivate in pre
ference the arts of peace, seek enlargement of the
rights of neutrality, and elevate and liberalize the
intercourse of nations; and by such just and honor
able means, and such only, whilst exalting the con
dition of the Republic, to assure to it the legitimate
influence and the benign authority of a great ex
ample amongst all the powers of Christendom.
Under the solemnity of these convictions, the
bleaaiug of Almighty God is earnestly invoked to
attend upon your deliberations, and upon all the
counsels and acts of the government, to the end
that, with coinmou zeal and common efforts, we
may, in humble submission to the Divine will, co
operate for the promotion of the supreme good of
these United States.
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
Washington, December 4, 18M.
Thanksgiving among the Newsboys of
v New York.
Among the most agreeable incidents of the day,
says the Express, was the dinner given to the news
boys, by tho Childrens' Aid Society,?tbe material
of which was mainly contributed by the dealers in
Washington Market. A reporter thus describes
the scene :
After the dinner they were seated, and brief ad
dresses made to them by some visiters who were
present.
" Mr. Tracy," said the boys, to their Superintend
ent, "do you know why we are like the Russians?"
'? No," responded Mr. Tracy. " Why t"
" Why, because we have been down on tho tur
keys."
This piece of wit1 was received with loud laughter
aud cheering. Here one of tne boys thought that
a little champagne would not be bad after so gen
erous a feast. Another suggeatod " hot rum," but
this democratic beverage did not meet their ap
proval at all.
Mr. Phelps?Now, boys, I want to say a few
words to you. (Cries of " Hear him, he's the man
who gave us the oysters!" I want to tell you that
I feel happy at seeing you so good humored. It did
me more pleasure to see you cat than it would be
for me to eat myself. .
The boys here looked incredulous, but they
cheered then speaker vehemently as he took his
scat.
Mr. Root?Boys, do you know where Thanks
giving originated? (Boys puzzled.)
At length one of them suggested " Jerusalem,"
another " Coney island." These guesses were re
ceived with shouts of derision by the other boys.
Big Boy.?Oh, the governor makes Thanks
giving.
All the Boys.?Yes, yes; that's it?that's so.
Mr. Root.?You'r partly right, boys; tho gov
ernor names the day, but the custom originated in
New England. You havo all heard of tho May
flower ?
Boys.?Yes, yes; we aintdone nothing else.
Mr. Root.?When that vessel landed on our
shores, the Pilgrim Fathers knelt down and thank
ed God for his mercy in saving them from destruc
tion ; and their descendants have thought it but
proper that they should keep the remembrance of
the event in their mind.
Mr. Root continued in this strain for some time,
and the boys appeared to be greatly edified by his
remarks.
Mr. Pardee was introduced. He told a story of
a young lad who had committed a murder. He
had visited him in his cell, whero he found an en
graving of a gallows with five steps leading to it.
Now, boys, said Mr. Pardee, what do you think was
the first step to the gallows ?
One boy?-Playing dominoes.
Another boy?Drinking brandy and water.
Mr. Pardee?No ; that was not (lie first step?it
was disobedience of parents. (Boys look incredu
lous.) Mr. Pardee continued to speak of the other
steps to the gallows, which were sabbath-breaking,
stealing, robbery, and finally murder.
The boys listened very attentively, and appeared *
to be much affected by the discourse. On the
whole, the newsboys had ajollv time, and enjoved
Thanksgiving much more than those who fare
sumptuously every day.
MARRIED,
On the 4th instant, by the Rev. James H. Brown,
Mr. Waltkb Bkeamt to Misa Elknoba Vain*.
Hurrah for Christmas t-Re
ceived to-day, a Urge lot of Fire Cracker*, Tor
pedoes, Fireworks, 4c., for sale at the lowest kind of
price to Shop-keepers to sell again.
W. R. HURDLE, High St.,
dec 5?Iw Georgetown, D. C.
T PRICES TO BUIT THE TIMES?
Just opened, a lot of goods from Auction con
sisting in part 8,000 yards of Calico, warranted fast
colors, oeato; Worsted Plaids, 14 cento, worth
A1P*C*?> 1SX cents; aoo Cambric Collars
at 81)f cento, worth SO cento. For sale at
W. R. HURDLE'8, High st.,
dec r>?Iw Georgetown, D. C.
A MERICAN RIFLE8, ATTENTION I?
-f*. Yon are hereby ordered to appear at your Arm
P*r*d,,'on Wednesday, 6th
By order of the Captain:
_deo6-lt A. J. W1LLIAM8. O. S.
THE AMERICAN RIFLES HAVE the
that they will give a mud
UKE8H BALI,, at Odd Fellows' Hall, Navy Yard, on
the 8th of JanuaiT, 18ft6.
Particular* in future advertisement.
Irdoc 5?pod IJ an 1
TO PERSONS FURNISHING. '
PERSONS furnishing, before decid
ing elsewhere, are invited to view the immense
?took of superior and faahionable
CABINET FURNITURE,
Consisting of every requisite for completely furnish
I ing any class of bouse, on the moat economical trm?
now on show in the large waremom* of the celebrated
furnishing establishment of
0 M WIGHT,
6ft Ixmiftiana avenue, opposite the Bank of
Washington, near the corner of 7th street.
dec h? <m
A GENTLEMAN AND LADY, AND
Gentlemen can be acoommn
dated with Board, at the corner of Seventh and L
streets. Navy Yard, Waahington, D. C.
dec 5??t
ADHiEMT OF THE LAWH AND RK
siilutions of Congress relative to Pensions,
iiounty Und., Pay of tffe Army, Mileage, horses or
other property lost or destroyed in the Military Ser
vice, Expenses of Volunteer force, Patents, tu>., to
gether with the Opinions of the Attoreevs General
and Decisions of the Secretaries of War and Interior,
and of the accounting officers of the Treaaorv there
on, with full and complete
FORMS OF APPLICATION,
So arranged aa to ftirnish all the information that
may be desired by claimants or their attorneys
By C. W. BKNNETT,
dec ft?dam Attoraey-at-Lsw.
For rent, a new and elegant
Dwelling, containing twenty apartments, among
wMew art tan good chambers, bath-room, water ana
nlop closets, wash room, dining, dressing, and store
rooms, and handsome parlor extending the whole
depth of tbe main building; i* lighted with gas;
heated with a furnace ; supplied with hot and eohj
water fixtures, and has a pump of pare water in the
kitchen. It ia situated on the south side of New York
svennc, between ?th and loth streets, and is oontign
ons to most of the Departments. Terms ressonsbls
i Apply to George R Jones, Esq., No. 11X4, next door
west, or to the subscriber, No. uo next door east,
dec ft?eoiw JOHN C. HARKNKS8.
JOSEPH C. G. KENNEDY,
UTS or TB* cawsns orrica.
Prosecutes Claims before Congress and the Depart- I
ments.
dec fi?ly
C~HAPPED HANDS AND FACE? |
Guerlain's Amondine;
Lip Sslve;
Patoy's Cold Cream;
Fresh?for sale at PARKER'S
Fancy and PerAimery store,
dec ft?>t If Under National Hotel.
Bay rum, farina cologne~io
dosen Madame Savigna's double distillsd Bav
Rum.
One ease of Sft do*, very superior Farina Colome.
PARKER'S
ewe 6?6t if Fancy and IVrfiim#?ry aiore.
RAISINS for Miaes-lMt.
Ten drama new, for sale by
HHKKKLL BROTHERS,
No. 40, opposite the Centre Market.
nov 10??tlf
WASHINGTON, D. C.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1864.
VESPASIAN ELLIS, Editor
R. M. HEATH, Assistant.
" Agai
I ooi^jure
Lgaiust the iuaidiow wiles of foreign influence
M jure vou to believe m>, ?low-oitiiS??-th- leal
"} ,hoP* w* find some means, in future of
shielding ourselves from foreign influence, politiaj
ooinmerfial,or in whatever fcrui it inay b? attempted'
la." Ssfi'iSSiS. sh* W-5TS:
Agents for the 44 Americas Organ."
?.j0H^iLA?LU,T'J8J- two door? r??
King street Alexandria, Virginia.
Alfked Lswblum, Kichmeud, Virginia.
W. 8. (Jiowui, 146 Baltimore street, Baltimore
Maryland.
Jom P. Hilton (assisted by D. W. Bailst. 68 and
41 Walnut street, Cincinnati,) ia our agent for Cin
cinnati and other oitiee in tlie west.
T. B. Paluik, the American Newspaper Agent, is
Uu only aathurieid Agent for this paper in the cities
of Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, and is duly
empowered to take advertisements and subscriptions
4t required bv us. His receipts will be re
~ "*?" wiuh * ass? vi nuu VUCDUIUl BUJ.
The Amskiu^n Osqan " will be found for sale at
-"?? * Yatss', No. 28 Beekman street, New York.
A- D. Chai.onbe, Burlington, (N. J.,) is agent for
the " American Organ" for the Htate of NewJersey.
it Portsmouth, Virginia.
W F Famsh, Fredericksburg, Va.
J. 0. Morqax, New Orleans.
HAMVBk. O. Klaoo, Stale of Massachusetts.
N. Clocoh, State of Rhode Island.
D. B. Youko, Htanirtou, Va.
2ra?S2~* CUH"'81
EBr Subscribers who do not receive thair
papers will please leave their nalbes and address
at the office.
By All advertisements for the " Organ"
should l>o handed into the office before twelve
o clock, M.f of the day of publication.
The President's Message.
We were not among the " favored few" who
were permitted to erjoy the privilege of having
the Message in typo, in anticipation of its being
communicated to the two houses of Congress,
nor were we of that class who were Allowed to
issue "extra*" from the Union office, (chang
ing only the caption thereto,) simultaneously
with the delivery of the massage at the Capi
tol, but we are " outside barbarians,1' strangers
in our own native land," with no means of
compelling a recognition of our rights as Ameri
can citizens, by this present foreign adminis
tration !
If wo remember rightly, we have heard sung
in our earlier days a hymn, which contained
the following Vrords of encouragement, 44 There*?
a better day coining
For one privilege, however, we are duly
thankful?we were permitted to purchase a
copy of the message from the Union'? news
boy last evening, too late however for our pa
per of yesterday; and we may add, that we
are now permitted, through the grace of his
Excellency the President, to present this won
derful document to our readers.
We have one consolation to offer our readers,
on the occasion of presenting the message "a
day after the fair," which is, that we believe
they are just as wise before reading it, as they
will be afterwards, and hence they have sus
taincd no loss in not receiving it sooner, and
would sustain none were they never to read it
As a pioce of composition merely, it does
credit to the President as a very pleating wri
ter. It is as smooth and placid as a gentle
stream meandering through a meadow. There
is a tono of melancholy, too, running through
it. which enlists our sympathies, resulting
doubtless from a philosophic consideration of
the elections of 1864, and a gloomy foreboding
of those which will occur in 1866. We see
none of those elastic, spirit-stirring sentences
and sentiments, which characterised the inau
gural, when the President poured forth his
eloquence in torrents, in the presence of the
people, whoso almost unanimous suffrages made
him at once the head of an overwhelming party,
and the head of a powerful nation!
The Are, the ardor, the eloquence, the pathos
Of 1868 are gone! The President's friends will
answer, 44 Tempora mutantur et not mutamur
mm illit." Timet hate changed, and we
hate changed with the time*! No truer words
wero ever spoken. But we will not dwell upon
this theme. Change is stamped upon every
thing earthly, and the President and his former
powerful party have only realized the solemn
reality of this universal truth.
As to the suggestions of tho message, we find
much that we approve, and but little that wo
dissent from.
We concur in the views which he presents
on the subject of renouncing the right of arm
ing private vessels for offence and defence in
time of war.
Groat naval powers only can safely abandon
this right We wonld as soon think of aban
doning the right of calling our militia into the
field of warlike preparations. With a mer
chant marine like ours, we could, in two
months, prepare to cope with England or
France, whereas, in case of a sudden war,
without the right to arm private reeteU, we
should be at the mercy of our enemy for a
twelvemonth !
Touching our affairs with Spain, we are in
the dark. The me<wage gives us no light, and
perhaps none could be properly given.
The Greytown affair is more elaborately dis
cuss**! than any other in tho message, or than
it deserved to be.
Without discussing the question of the con
stitutional power of the President to demand
and take satisfaction by force of arms, under
the circumsUnoes which existed, we under
stand the upshot of the whole matter to be,
that a nest of plunderers and pirates have been
punished, where there was no recognised gov
ernment to answer for the transgressions.
The recommendation of a change in our ta
riff of duties, is probably the most important
matter adverted to by the President. That
matter should not be touched lightly, nor with
ont a most thorough examination into the pro
bablo effects of all proposed changes. Certain
it ?, that some plan should be adopted, if
practicable, to prevent over Importations from
abroad.
Under a wise system we doubt not all the
commercial nations of the world could be
brought in debt to us, instead of draining us of
our specie! If this can be done, let it be done,
and that speedily!
The President's brief recommendation of
Congressional attention to matters in which our
District is interested, will, we trust, be listened
to, ami our wants properly supplied.
We highly approve the last paragraph but
one In the menage, including the recommen- J
iuatitution? ?f ^
toleratiou." universal religious
We are gUd to flad tfae Pr*,^ ^ ^
?f ** and that he
"?T r,b,e ?ft th# l*M gTOWth of ^ for
eign influence, wh*h u controlled by the Ro
which- checked,
will end id the subversion of our institution,
and in the establishment of a system of Papal
intolerance.
We commend this passage to the consider*
Hon of tlie country, and we think we perceive
an earnest in these sentiments of the President
that henceforward the claims of American borii
citizens to office and place, will not be post
pooed to those of the tools of a foreign despot.
Upon the whole we like the message, but we
hare no space for further comments.
Th? Oriug Glttdiaior.
I his exquisite work of art has at length
reached Washington, and is now on exhibition
* lomtion'H buildings, on Four-and-a-half
street, near the comer of Pennsylvania avenue,
through the politeness of its owner Mr
Risque, we enjoyed the privilege of seeing it
yesterday afternoon, and we can truly say that
it seemed to us the most perfect representation
of nature ever imbodied by the genius of
sculpture. We arc no critic, and have noac
quaintance with the phraseology of criticism,
appropriate to such a subject We tan, there
fore, only give expression to the feelings of un
alloyed pleasure and admiration experienced by
us. The longer we gazed upon it the more
perfect did it appear, and every moment soemod
to invest it with new beauties.
Our readers are aware tliat this statue is co
pied from the celebrated antique at Rome. It
was executed by Mr. Gott, a very distinguished
European sculptor, and is represented by emi
nent judges to be a most fiiithful copy of tho
original. We have seen certificates from Wolff,
Gibson, and our own American artist, Craw
ford, which speak in high terms of its excel
lence, and attest its perfect fidelity to tho ori
ginal.
In a very entertaining book, styled "Six
Months in Italy," written by Mr. Hillard, an
American gentleman, there appears a veiy ele
gant criticism of the origiual at Rome, which
we are sure will be read with pleasure by all
who take any interest in subject* of this char
acter. It supplios, very appropriately, what
we feel our own inability to furnish. Wo there
fore copy it at length :
The last room into which the traveler passes con
tains several works of the highest excellence, and
above all, the Dying Gladiator. A statue of such
surpassing merit as this should have a room bv
'I. ' .r in its Pre8cnc?i{ >s difficult to look at any
thing else. It is now admitted by the liest authori
ties, that the statue is a dying Oaul and not a gladi
ator, but to the popular mind the old appellation
will cling forever. Byron's-iuiniortal stanza?an ex
quisite creation of genius, equal to the theme which
inspired it?is alone enough to fustcn it there with
| associations that can never be severed. But there
is no work of art respecting which such discussions
are more intrusive or unnecessary. We do not ask
whom it represents, because we are so wholly ab
sorbed with what it is. Its power and pathos aro
,?Pen<*ent of time, place, and conditiou.
What is it we see before us? A man dying
nothing more. It is that which happens to fl'i
men; tho only inevitable fact hi every life. Nor
is it a marked or conspicuous ptl-son. He is not a
mi' ?.r V*?', or an ??tor- The form is not I
ideal, tho head is not intellectual, the lips arc uot I
refined. The shadows of great thoughts never
darkened that common-plaee brow, uor did the
touch of beauty ever thrill along those coarse fibres.
But the charm and power of the statue consist iu
the amazing truth with which the two great elc
mcnts of humanity and mortality arc delineated.
A vigorous animal life i? suddenly stopped bv the
touch of death, and the "sensible, warm motion"
| becomes a " kneaded clod" before our eyes. The
artist gives us all the pathos and the iragody of
death, without its ghastliness and horror. The
dying man is no longer a trivial person, stained
with coarse employments and vulgar associations,
but an immortal spirit breaking through its walls
of clay. The rags of life fall away from him, aud
he puts on tlie dignity and grandeur of death. We
feci ourselves in the presence of that awful power
r*?? scePtru 111 mort*1 distinctions a?
lovelled. Life and death are all that, for a time
we can admit Into the uilnd.
As the sentiment and expression of this statue
are admirable, so is tlie mechanical execution of
the highest merit. The skill with which the physi
cal effoct* of death upon the human frame are rep.
resented is most strongly felt by those whose pro
fessional training and experience make their judg
ment on such points the most valuable. The hwr
short and crisp and matted by the sweat of tho
death-struggle, the wrinkled brow, the drooping
I bd, the hps distended with pain, and the sinking
languor of the whole frame, give proof of a patient
eye and a skilful hand. No statue was ever more
marked by simplicity, or more free from anvthing
like extravagance or caricature. Such a subject
presents many temptations, and, unless an artist's
taste and judgment were equal to his genius, ho
would hardly have escaped falling into the weak
nous or overdoing the tmgic element, and of laving
such a weight upon our sympathies that they would
P!cn iWAy ",nder thc PreMure But here
nothing has been done for effect. No vulgar ap
plause is courted, and the decency and dignity of
truth are scrupulously observed.
If it be right to judge of works of art subject
XL objectively?that is, exclusive^bv
the effect which they leave upon the individual who
conteniplatcs them I should put this work at tho
head of all the statues in tho world. To me, none
others were so expressive, so significant, so full of
deep meaning. At each successive visit it seemed
? .VnrW work : 10 rcve?1 something which be
! 22 '""J u,,spoken; to awakSn echoes which
before had been silent. Though a solitarv figure,
taken m and comprehended by thc eye at a single
glance, it involvos a broad circle of experience and
suggestion.
Such is ever the case with thc creations which
genius give*, us when it walks iu thc way of truth,
and, disdaining the morbid, thc fcntastic, and U,
grotesque, gi?os shape to our common virions, and
reahtv to the universal dream.
This statue is indissoluble associated with Bv
ron s immortal stanza, which, familiar as it is, can
no more become hackneyed than tlie relations of
Hl.snd and father in which it is founded. From
iiiee like these, which everybody reads and everv
I body remembers?especially when connected with
object* (>f permanent and general Interest?wo
learn how much we owe to the poets. Who that
has ever seen snow fclling upon water, Its* not
had a distinct pleasure in the sight, from the fino
illustration of tbe brief duration of sensual plea
sure*, which Burns has drawn from it:
" Or, like tbs snow-fall in the river.
A moment white?then lost forever,** i
Who, that has ever beheld a scarlet maple in our
autumn woods, has not felt that a new charm was
given to It by the lovely image which it suggested
to Bryant?
" But 'neath yon crimson tree,
Lover to listening maid might breathe his flams
><>r mark, within its roseate canopy,
Her blush of maiden shame."
So we, who look upon the statue since the stances
was written, see it by a finer light than ever aliens
upon it before. For us alone the rude hut by the
Danube Is reared, and those young barbarians are
-porting upon its banks. We may form no.
tion of our obligations, by imagining what wonld
?k TT" Vl" ?motion" of " of cultivation and
in ""his hands' whlT*^ h*'' Put ?he linos
Into hls hands while ho was standing before tho
? ?k n?t something like the miracle of
K ,hKrc uk? upkoc boforo hi? ?7??r
W ould not the marble breast have appeared to
d?kVrn!i the drooping bTw,lo be
fiftrkened with Huffering ?
No description of this work of art would be
complete without Ryron's celebrated stanza,
which are as world renowned as the statue it
^*? perfectly their beauty, they

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