Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-02-17
Expense Of War--Tax on Tea and
COffee


Judging irrespective of party considerations we
cannot approve of the method which our Govern
ment pursuing to dcfray the expenses of the Mex
leo war; 1t is true the creation of debt either by
the issue of Treasury Notes or BY the loan of Money
may seem to be means of furnishing the requisite
'sinews of war, " at the least immediate inconven-
fence to the people, but like every of debt it is
only avoiding a. present calamity by mourning a
greater future one.
Moreover national running in debt is the most in
slduous means ofinvolving people in all the con-
sequences attending an nudicious administration OF
their affairs, conceivable. John Randolph's maxim
'pay as You CO." ought to be inscribed on the pill
lars of onr Copitol in letters of gold 1t is but
sonable to suppose that any future generation may
have national burdens of their own to attend to,
quite equal to their ability; why then lay them under
the load of ours
The refusal of Congress to lay duty on tea and
coffee especially, we look upon either as manifestng
want of confidence the justice of the war, or in
the patriotism of the people Not that we would
like to see these articles taxed taxation is dis
agreeable-but the refusal to lay duty on them
does not tighten the burden of the people particle
The expense fthe war mast be paid. Fit is paid
by tax on tea and coffee much of wilInot be paid
by tax on something else. If not thus paid it will;
hat is all that can be said about it. But while the
Administration stands in IFS present position unwil-
ling to forego IFS plan of low tariff ON taxed
articles and unwilling to tax any part Of the free list
Tor lear OF offending the people, the creation of
debt is nceitabe. This debt viii call year after wear
for Its interest, and finally then the interest has a.
mounted TO several times the principal, that mus
also be paid. What is gained?
Suppose the next generation finds itself in the
same predicament: it must add to the debt still
more, until the nation sinks into hopeless bankrupt
cy. We should take warning in time, from the ex-
ample OF other nations that now grooming veal
after year under burden of taxation, which the,
can never hope to shake off bat by revolution anc
bloodshed.
No doubt the fear of the use that might be made
of this act caused the majority in Congress to shrink
from laying the burden of the war where it would
be so sensibly felt, but patriotism should never
yield to such considerations. A party claiming tc
! be especially the peoples party should never show
the is just and necessary, the expense is una
vodable and the people would as pay it in one
shape as in another. Nor would the party which
should attempt to win them by appeals to the SUI,
ferings of which they saw the necessity, meet with
favor. Such appeals would rather be regarded as
insults. Why then does Congress shrink from a
once course which the necessity of the Govern.
ment loudly calls form addition to the passage o
the loan Bill, of making such alterations in the Tar
iffof 46 will produce the amount of revenue nee
essary produce the amount of revenue necessary Il
meet the interest of its Indebtedness and give the
confidence in its bones needed to keep them at par
! We the decided majority which the Democratic par
/ ty have in both Houses, we confess surprised
to see means for the prosecution of the slow
: ly provided. The Loan Bill, which has at length
passed will be inefficient in view of any probable
deficiency in the revenue; that until some pre-
vision is made to increase that, nothing eectua
done. Seeing iii vain to attempt to carry on wal
without bearing its burdens, why not boldly shoul
der them while they arc lghtest and not suffer them
to increase by inacton and delay.