Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1850-07-03

Millions for War and nothing for
Agriculture.

Agriculture.
We have frequently called the attention
of our readers TO the fact tn t notwith-
standing our general government have
been repeatedly urged 10 adopt some
measures for the Improvement OF agrIcul-
ture bv the e>tablis ;lnent of a Board of
agriculture. and the appropriation of
comparatively small sum OF money to pro
mote aud encourage this great llic-Sus-
tanning art. they have never done thing
for it, and seem reluctant 10 even listen
C pnpli ce .tls to any suggestion in regard
to it. On the other hand. they are always
pouring out the public tire asures tor the
support Of that opposite art called war. or
the ar, of killing people. As proof Of
tins. we publish some remarks made by
Rev d. Tnurs:on the other day. at the
meeting of the friends of peace. Of the
18th Congressional district. assembled at
Winthrop for the purpose of sending a
delerate - the Worlds Convention. to be
held at Frankfort. (Germany,) next Au-
gust.
The remarks were made in support of
IA resolve which he offered. and which may
be found among the proceedings OF the
meeting in another column.
"The loss of property Is an evil which
scarcely deserves 10 be named. when
speaking of war. Placed by the side OF
the untold sufferings and wretchedness
and corruption Of morals occasioned by
war. it dwindles into insigniticance. Yet
this fearful waste of property is not made
without violating moral principle. For
God holds men accountable for the use.
to which they put property. as well as for
every other talent committed TO them
For every farthing which comes into the
National Treasury the government will
be held answerable: not the government
in their organized capacity. but in their
indirilmaI capacity. The people also. in
elective governments ike ours. God will
call to a solemn account for chosing men
who Will make a wrong use OF their
money.
1t appears TO me that our citizens. in
general, do no, know how much Of their
property is annually expended for purpo
ses of war. Were they acquainted with
the facts in the case they would not, :hey
couH not be SO Indifferent to the peace
movement. If what they pay for the war
and navy departments were assessed upon
them. bv a direct tax, as it ought 10 be.
they would soon reduce those abomnable
and efficient agents in promoting the
cause Of peace.
Shall | give some statistics. In Mr..
Summers Address before the American
Peace Society. he says that from the adop-
ton of the Federal constitution down to
1913. there has been paid directly from
the National Treasury for the army and
fortific ations, $500. .7l3 .9O9-for the navy
and its operations. $500 .994.428: making
a total of 1915. 7O7 .637.' We can scarce
ly form an adequate idea Of this immense
sum. Just look at it. But this is not all
Regarding the militia part of the war
system, we must add moderate estimate
for its cost during this period. which. ac-
cordinr to the calculations OF an able and
accurate economist, may be placed at 81,
500 900 900. The whole presents an in
conceivable sum-total of more than tU0
thousand millions of dollars, which have
been dedicated by our government TO the
support Of the war system. This is more
an seven times as much as was set apart
bv our government. during the same pc
riod. to all other purposes whatsoever
Can it be that this money loving people
are acquainted with these facts! Do they
believe that their money could be employ
ed for no better purpose! 1t is impossible.
The facts would rouse them. The war
system of the European States, according
to recent calculations costs annually not
less than s 900 900, 900. This is more
than the entire profit Of all the commerce
and manufactures Of the world. The
amount is larger than all the expenditures
for agricultural labor for the production
of food for man upon the whole globe. 1t
is larger, by one hundred million Of dollars
than the amount Of all the exports of all
the nations Of the earth. The sum is lar
ger bv 1897. 600. 900 than all which is ex-
pended in preaching the gospel to the hea-
them Is it so! Does this protessedly
christian nation believe these state
ments! Can they quietly consent to be
taxed thus for purpose! Further, 'ev
erv ship of war that floats costs more than
a we'll endowed college. Every sloop Of
war that floats costs more than the largest
library in our country Do the great DO.
DIV of the people know what they are an
nuallv paving TO sustain the unnecessary.
denoralizing. and destructive custom Of
war! DO they know, that. for years past
no less than so per cent. OF all our nation
al expenditures have been for war purpo-
ses alone. In 1917. our war expenses
were about nine times as large as those
for all other purposes, and in 1882. seven
teen times as great as for all civil Offices.
From 1881 TO 1889, the aggregate of our
expenditures. with some two years and
half Of actual war. was S642 $50. .89I:
and Of this sum, at least. eight-ninths were
for ,car purposes-and about one trenty-
third part of the whole, for civil Offices.
i. e. one dollar for the support of civil
government, and tuenty-three dollars for
war. From 1916 to 1884. eighteen years. |
our national expenses were S465 915.756;
and of,h sum nearly S4OO 600, 900 went
out for war. and only S64.OOO, 900 for all
Other objects, Here we have even in
peace. So2. 600 900 per year for war, and
.La.,4 &Lrao iIlionS and b ale Lass thax,