Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-02-06
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RICHMOND DAILY WING.
FRIDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY o. isss.
WAR AMI ITS GLORIES.
CALCULATIONS FOR THE FIRE SIDE,

4"
CALCULATIONS o THE FIRE Id
We present from the Kennebec Journal, a con-
densed view Of an article upon n subject OF great
interest. which recently appeared in the National
Inteliipencer, but the length of which prevents us
at present from publishing it in full, as we should
desire. Ii is very well for the uninitiated to pirate
about the glory of War, the excitement and gilt
ter Of the armed array, and the triumph OF our
Eagles in a hundred battle 6elds,-but does it not
become the people, the intelligent, sober, tar pay
ing people, to inquire, AT WHOSE
10 this magnificent pageant TO be exhibited! Is
all this fine show to he displayed for nothing!
Are we to sit comfortably at our hresides, and
read in our journals of the stirring strife and bril-
liant victory. having ourselves no personal or
pecuniary concern in these animatlng eventsi
AT WHOSE EXPENSE1 AYE, ATWHOSE
EXPENSEl What will Ice the cost These
ure the questions which will be asked by reflect
Ing men. These are the questions which are
answered by the National lnteliigencer.
Look a: the statement below, and see in what
way and by whom the piper is to be paid. We
call the attention OF the people OF Virginia TO the
Eyopnous AND DIRECT TAX or ONE MILLION,
SIX HUNDRED AND SEVENTY Four THOUSAND
ONE HUNDRED AND SEVEN DOLLARS, which the
people Of this single State will he compelled to
nav every year during the continuance OF = war
Are they prepared to bear this Tremendous our'heh.
The direct tax which they now contribute for the
.upport of their State Government Is ABOUT
S6U7, eOO-about one third oithe immense and IN
supportabIe load which a war will hasten upon
their shoulders. Aud yet Of this State tax they
sometimes complain, aud, no doubt, often ieel 1t
10 be onerous. What will they do, what will they
saw, when the two are united, and a direct tax is
levied upon their purses annually oil MoNE
THAN TWO MILLIONS OF DOLLARS!
How can they support the maintain weight :
Would they tax themselves thus, even to advance
the interests of their own State, to build up great
improvements, to give avenues TO market To all
their peop.e, to provide means Of education for
every son and daughter Of Virginia No, never !
They would not. Th Y could not. The thing
would be impossible Are they then ready to
be thus ground to the very earth by the e1actIons
OF the tax gatherer, for the purpose OF war about
"A territory which is oer:din TO become ours 6y
peace, and phich ire can aerer gam by Udr -
and with the inevitable cons, quence, OF blasting
The prosperity of their State III the bud, check
ing all its works of public improvement, throw
ing il back half a century in the progress OF
enterprise and civilization, and spreading death
and deso!ation throughout its borders!
WAR BROUGHT HOME TO II oCKE OF
THE PEOPLE.
The National InIeIlpgencerh has an excellent article, gi-
wing some "reminiscences of the way and manner ia which
,be peoule were taxed 10 support the ordinary expenses Of
The G,yernment during the last war. ThS revenue der'
- -, pharh nraE1nm % that WnT "a
now. deirayed those expenses, vase course almost entirely
checked: and a resort was necessarily had To direct taxation
10 supply the deficit, and also, after the hrst year d: war
10 pay the interest on the money borrowed TO carry on the
war. To raise this revenue, the most severe and onerou'
taxes were imposed on nearly all the necessaries OF hie' d
well ms its Iuxuriss, varying from two 10 fifty per cent pc
annum. and necessarily increasing each year Us the inteies
on the public debt increased. EeSery mans house Wal
subject to be visited NJ any time by the federal tax gather
e,. for the purpose Of aseernining the amount and quait!
of his household furniture. silver spoons, plate, horses, car
nages, &c. liable to taxatiOn; and the most vexahous regu
lations were imposed upon manufacturers, mechanics
house owners. and others, Ia prevent any escape from tn
demands Of the law. II became necessary to lay taxes OF
almost every thing 10 eat, drink, or wcor. The lnieNgen
Ger copies several OF the tax tcts of that daV, and gives
faithful picture Of the burdens borne by the people, even IL
m. beginning Of that war; and il our limits would permit, w
should be glad 10 Jay its extended article before our res
ders in full. We Of the present peaceful oge can little est
mate and poorly re niire the actual PriSaions aud suffering
Incident to a state OF war, however vivid the pictures draw
Of is miseries by those who nave personally participated il
them. There ore some men 10 the county who have eN
pressed the opinion that we should seek rather than evad
war. md 10 whom the opening strife would come withOu
regret, as heralding a wider extension Of fePuoieon inst'O
lions and the possible overthrow VI thrones. Kingdoms an
oDgsrebies. Such men suffer their imaginauons to ~
ahead Of their reason, and 1t would be well for them an
for the county, Il they could be made to pause. and reieC
upon the certain and inevitable evils OF war, as contra't@
with any uncertain and lar distant benefits which m'ghta ~
crue from IL. A faithful inquiry would lead them to desi'
from any course which would involve Us IN unnecessary o
unjust war.
10 bring tie matter more directly before the minds O
the people, the lntelHgeneef nppends to lie article the fol-
lowing table showing the amount Of direct taxation whic
81 would now be necessary to impose up,n the -evers
staiss, IN order TO raise money for the ordinary expense
Il the governmental the usual sources ofrevtnue were Gu
n bv vsr. The rppofi,nment of direct taxes must b.
made according to representation in Congress.
lRennsbse JouraaL
- II r.. H.