Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1846-02-25

by loans and increased the National Deb, 10 tho
enormous amount Of S65 millions, being the high.
est point it has reached. The vast sacrifice
of lives among all the powers little less thnn
million and half. It is very probable that, it
the War had no, drawn on. tho abilities of Ma.
pocoa, and brought them into action, he would
neyer have disturbed the quiet Of mankind.
General peace throughout Europe and tho
world was now happily settled, November %,
1915, by tho Treaty of Paris; and tho period of
rcpose, regards Great Britain, in this quarter
of the globe. has already been of twcntvlsovon
years duration. There have, however, been ex.
ceptions abroad, in the attack Algiers in 1915.
tho with tho Asi,antees in 1924, that with
The Burmese in 1926, and tho reproachfil con.
tests with the Afghans and Chinese in 1912. To
the many innocent natives Of those countries,
these conflicts have. doubtless, boon productive
Of groat sufierings; but by us such dccds of de-
struc,ion are alas! too lttlo regarded, account
of their remo,eness from our actual observation,
and their small petceptible effect immed-
ate interests.
| Daring the pacific rogns Of George w. and
William w. which commenced respectively in
1920 and in 1882 reduction of the Debt, to
the amour, of 81 millions, was effected. down to
1885. In that year, about 20 millions moro wore
borrowed, 10 compensate tho Planters for the
emancipation Of the Slaves in the British Colonies
the only loan which can be looked back upon
with satisfaction rs to its appropriation. Since
that time, tho public expenditure having often
OXcc0ucu mo income, ABOUT . IHllllOuS D1vO O06u
added. making tho whole amount of the National
Debt, funded and unfunded, about 500 millions
sterling at tho end of 1872 1t is nlmos. needless
to add that under Queen Victoria, the general
continuance Of peace in Europe has afforded
great stimulus to commerce; furnished ample op.
portun,y for revising various points of domestic
legislation; and fosterod may scientific inventions,
aud philanthropic institutions, for diminishing tho
sum Of human ignorance and sorrow.
Earnestly is it to be desred that such n season
of rcpose from the evils of war may long be per-
pctua,ed, as Of the greatest blessings which
can be enjoyed. and necessary to tho full relish Of
overy other. And may the influence Of Britain,
under tho conviction Of past imprudcnce and folly,
b. for tho future, moro wisely exerted, and her
example have powerful tendency. towards tho
diffusion and maintenance Of tranquility through
out the globe!
But to conclude,-We now ask every candid
reader, What has been the cause of the pecuni-
airy burdens which Cypress Great Britain! Tho
49, L. .L:-
Expensive, sanguinary, impolitic, foolish War!
II is unnecessary to enter into argument on tho
facts stated in the foregoing pages. lndepen-
IDENTIFY Of higher considerations, and Of the aues-
ton Of Christian duty, they speak loudly and
distinctly for themselves, and show how tho Ma
tional Deb: has been gradually created and in
creased, by ono contest after another, until at
loncth a prodgous revenue has become necessary
be raisod for :he payment Of its interest alone.
What astonishing, happy, and truly glorious Of
fects might have been produced. had only ono
halt the amount boon expanded on objects Of
utility and benevolenco? Whenever we suffer
through the privation Of means, required for the
payment of taxes, or absorbed in the higher prices
occasioned by indirect taxation, let reflect that
the great cause Of this is War; that tho chief
am punt has boon expended in tho destruction Of
our follow mon, in wasting the,r fields, and in
spelling their property; and oil this without any
adequate good to console us for the suffering it
has produced.
Daring the period which we havo thus survey.
ed, Great Britain has been permitted to escape,
from being the immediate scat Of the dreadful
work of destruction and death. may, how
cver. if tho sams system be porsevered in, hero.
after become our turn, and our beloved country
may have to taste those horrors, which have
often and so largely contributed to innict uron
others. But even to US, remote as we have been
from scenos Of blood. these facts amply prove tho
impolicy of War. They show US that its general
and fatal tendency, even under favorable circum.
stances. is to spill the blood Of the innocent 10
exhaust tho resources Of empires. and to ombar.
individuals of future generations. Nothing
has been said Of the indirect. but far more in
furious consequences Of state of warfare, on
national industry and comfort, SCIENCE morals,
and religion. We have here surveyed the ques.
ton chiefly the ground of pecuniary loss and
inexpediecy. with the anxious desire that every
motive, which even policy supplies, may b
brought to bear against system, 80 inimicaI to
tho interests and happiness Of man.
In the table prefxed are shown, at view.
the progress and variations Of the funded and
unfunded Public Debt. &C.. exclusive of tho An.
nul,ies for lives, and terms Of years, which now
amour, to upwards Of four million annually.
The Debt has been sometimes estimated at
eighth or tenth Of the whole property Of the
nation; and if not more vigorously dealt with. and
more boldly reduced, por.ends to effect at flu
ture day. the abascment Of Britain, and the de-
s.ruction of her noble Empire! calamity,
which may divine mercy condescend yet to avertI
RELIGION AND THE DaAMA.-At Corpus Christi,
Texas, whore our army is stationed, they have .
theatre, which is not only used on the Sabbath