The republic., 1850-12-31
Reduction OF Postage.

The Richmond Wing, Of the 28th instant,
contains an editorial article in which this mea-
sure is earnestly and ably advocated; but the
writer takes issue with us upon the proposition
that .'the post Office must be self sustained
and untaxed institution"
We do not deny the power Of Congress to
make appropriations from the general funds of
the Treasury in aid of this Department. The
power expressly given by the Constitution ''to
establish post Offices and post roads," and the
uniform practice of the Government under this
authority, place the question beyond contro-
versy.
But the reduction of postage is urged upon
Congress expedient, and the most potent
argument of its advocates is that the re-
venues will not be impaired by such reduction.
We believe this assumption to be correct, and
we unite in the demand for cheap postage As,
however, it has many opponents, and as these
profess to base their opposition upon the ground
that the contemplated reduction will render the
Department tax upon the General Govern
ment, we are willing to attest sincerity by
fixing the maximum of reduction, or the mini
mum of rates, at g the revenue standard"
We have heretofore expressed the opinion
that ''the Department should be ordered as
to be selfsustained, should be exempt from
all taxation, and should accommodate the pub
lie upon the lowest terms that would be com
patible with this design. The ascertainment
of the true standard of charges must necessa-
rily require experience; and it may be possi-
BILE that, in the course Of experiment, tempo
r1y relief from the general funds Of The Irea-
s,ny may be needed. so, it should be giuen;
but other aid should never be depended upon
nor desired. There is truth and reason in
what is said respecting the duty of the Gov
eminent, as guardian of the people, and it is
true that the general welfare may appear to
demand its sustaining aid +; yet, convinced
that such aid will not be required, and in or
der that the dissatisfied murmurings Of those
who ever suspect partiality should be silenced
we think the great effort should be to leave
the Department, in its permanent career, alike
untrammelled and unaided."
We perceive good reason for changing oul
views as thus expressed. While we believe
that the hand Of the General Government should
ever be extended to patronize as well as to pro
tect our people, and that the most liberal en-
couragement should be given to the dissemina-
tion of knowledge, we are at the same time un
willing to put in jeopardy the measures that are
demanded by enlightened public sentiment, by
grasping at what is unattainable and not called
for by the people themselves.
The editor of the Whig appears to b,
alarmed lest "the expense Of mail delivery up
on the Improbable routes is TO be borne by
the profits of delivery upon the productive,
routes" We reply that this is exactly wha
we wish to done; and that our great
est regret is, that this is not at present
practicable in relation to the Pacific coast
The uni foru'ity Of rates throughout the Union
is the beauty of the great schemes and tn,
benefits it will confer upon remote or sparsely
settled sections Of the country are such as car
be well afforded by the central and densely in.
habted portions. Any other plan would ac
cord but poorly with the liberal and intelligent
views Of the citizens whose memorials are now
before Congress, or with the spirit Of patriotism
IN which this enterprise has been conceived