New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-02-18
Expenses Of War.


The venerable ALERT GALLATIS has added to
his valuable Letters TO the National Inteigencer on
the Oregon Question an Appendix in which he en-
tiers at considerable length upon calculation OF the
probable annual expenses of War with England,
and the resources fer defraying them. From the
best data which could be obtained, he estimates the
whole annual expense OF such War at SG5,-
100000. Adding sl2,ooO,oOO for other expenses,
the whole cost of supporting the Government
would reach the enormous sum of S77 10000
The War would reduce the annual revenue from
the customs one.half, and the whole revenue from
that and all other sources he thinks would not
coed S!4 100000. This would leave 20 be provided
for by taxes and loans the sum OF S63, 0G0 900
annually. On whom will this enormous burden
chiefly fall The answer TO this question we give
in Mr. Galatians own language:
]. has been generally asserted that OF property
are averse to war because the losses Gad burdens which
it must occasion fall exclusively upon them; and that
generally IN favor OF because they
have nothing to lose.
1t is true that the grea, loss caused by war will
fall Immediately on those interested in the maritme
commerce OF the United States, either owners
insurers or in any way employed III 1t. Consider
ing the imminent danger 70 which Is exposed the i'm
amount OF Amercsn property atoat on every sea-
and the certain annhilaton during the oil the fish
cries of The commerce with Great Britain and of that
with all the countries beyond Cape Horn and the Cape of
Good Hope the american merchants may be alarmed at
the prospect Of the necessity of which they do
not perceive. But il the apprehension OF immediate
danger ia more wildly felt the caaraitous effects
OF the war the agricultural interests are no,
less certain The price of all the products of which
large quantities are exported must necessarily fall
so low, that all the farmers mus lessen the amount
and with 1t thei. income whilst they must pay dearer
for all the articles which they obliged to purchase.
! The distinction between rich and poor is vague. The
most numerous class in the United States lie that OF the
who at the same time owners and cuivators OF
the soil ana who have but small properties and very
moderate income. Every dimnution OF this, whether
from the want market from additional
in that and corresponding class OF mechanics attend
ed with privstion Of the necesssres comforts Of
life The really rich the capitalists who have independ-
en-, incomes and obliged to engage in any ofthe
active pursuits of life may in any caamtous season. &C
cumulae less at most must retrench only some lux
ures Thus the unavoidable losses and burdens, which
the consequences OF fall with the greatest
weight those who derive the of existence from
the pursuits of industry, and whose industry sone
tributes TO the increase OF the general wealth Of the
country.
But this Is not all. Exclusive Of those who either
contractors or in some other way connected with
the large supplies wanted for the support OF the army
and navy there is class OF capitalists who
riched By the war These are the money lenders who
shall have been bold enough 10 take up the public loans
unless indeed il should be intended to break public
faith and the OF peace question tie obi
CATION pay them upon the pre;cnce OF their
profits.
/, is equally untrue tina, the poorer class OF
people by which must be meant all the lsborere
orally those who live their wages have nothing lose
BY the
In this and in other large cities for every thousand
merchants OF capital who may be injured or
thrown OF business. there ten thousand living on
wages whose employment depends directly or Indirectly
on the of those cities The number Of com.
s5orers is proportonaeiy less in the purely egri
cultural districts But evident that IN both consd
cradle number must be thrown out OF employment
either by the destruction of commerce, in conse.
Querce of the essened value and qusuy Of the ssricu
tural products And it impossible that this should
take place without affecting the rate OF wages. than
which affecting evil could fall the
nity. There OF pure and elevated feelings who
does NOS srdenty wish that could &c devised 70
srneliorsie The OF society that respect that
those who live By manual labor should receive
just portion OF the profits which very ulecuAy
/ divided between them sad their emp loyers-
Bnt, even II the rate OF wages materially al.
ected yet when il said that the poor have nothing
lose By war il must be because their lives counted
for nothing. Whether militia regulars sailors. the
privarss the VINO actually fht the battles.
cusvey taken from the poorer classes Of society. OF
GERS uniformly selected from the class which has
some property influence. They indeed risk CALAMITY
their l!ves but with the hopes of promotion and OF &C.
curing renown and consideration. According 70 tie
p-esen; system 81 least Of the regular army il is
t-esly rare smos, impossible. ths, private soldier
should ever Use The rank Of officer IL the
Of war thousands killed, die Of disease, and
the residue when disbanded, return home with habits
unayorabe 10 the pursuits Of industry. Ana yet Ii Is
asserted that they predsosed Tor Ws because the
have nothing to lose.
Is no, this sufficient, aside from the still more i'm
portant moral considerations involved in the case 10
induce the People of the United States TO pause and
reflect before rushing into bloody contest for pal
Try strip of land which can be OF little more use to
them than the same quantity Of territory IN the
moon?