The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-12-07


The Washington Republic and the Washington
Union are engaged in dispute, that has q touch of
angry bitterness IN it, on The subject Of The reported
deficit in ibe Treasury. The Republic announces,
semi officially that before TIE end Of the fiscal year,
which commences on the LIST Of July next, there 1
viii be a necessity to provide many millions (
more than the current revenue under existing laws,
and that the deficiency arises out Of the extraord-
nary charges Of the Mexican War. The Union, at
the word, starts up to accuse the Republic and its
authorities Of having made false estimates, and
played dishonest tricks upon figures, with view
of bringing odium on the past administration, and
| propping up some financial scheme Of the present
administration. We have not read all the columns
which have been written on the two sides of this
question. We have read enough, however, TO be
able to see that the question of deficit no deficit,
is considered question Of chlIhoter-that the
Republic is inclined to make out that there will be
large sums requisite, and that the old administra-
ton is responsible for the guilt thsreof and the
Union as strong in maintaining that nothing but
dishonesty ID the new powers can make out any
deficiency at all, for which ample funds have not
been provided.
1t is fortunate that we are not obliged to read all
these ponderous articles to enable TO take COM
nonsense view of the case. Neither party really
knows what the amount of the anticipated def
cheney is nor in what manner it is to DO accounted
for They are both guessing in the dark, or at least
reasoning on suggestions from preconceived opins
ions. The official reports are now at hand, and in
the examination of authorized statements, from the
responsible officers of the government, we shall
soon be enabled TO know what the Republic and
the Union have been supposng.
The mere fact of a want of more revenue, within
the next eighteen months, is nothing about which
Il TO be excited, from which TO infer blame upon
past administration or corruption or imbecility in
this The Mexican war was costly-perhaps costly
beyond expectation-and its expenses may be
swelled vastly by claims Of every kind which will
be pressed upon Congress for payment. 1t is the
case with all government expenses emphatcally
the case in all war expenses in which unforeseen
emergencies and the necessity of prompt action
without time for sure calculation, put the govern
ment at the mercy of hordes of sharping dealers
from whom there is no escape. 1t would be nc
stigma upon Mr.. Walker even if his estimates fol
his own time should fall short of this vast demand
1t will surely be no ground for censure upon him
if vast sums should also be required under his sue
eessors. This Congress and this administration ar,
charged with the examination of these claims, anC
with the payment of such as are just, and Of such
too, as rely upon contracts, though their abstract
justice be doubtful. In this they will be response
BILE only for fidelity nthe discharge of their duties
and an intelligent and honest people will be slow
to infer corruption from large appropriations, any
more than they did in the case of their predecessors
A deficit is, therefore, nothing about which any
body should he alarmed for the safety of party
character. What The country will look for is thai
it shall be examined into, and fairly proved to be
necessary and Just, and well provided for BY good
laws, and nobody need fear that a calumnious or
unjust attack, sprnging out of it, will last even SO
] long as till the next election.