The Washington union., 1857-12-06

debt ad ia6na and that accumulation of debt and
taxation great national blessing Our dearly beloved
Jonathan nightly smitten with this comfortable
theory and has reduced il to practice very extensively
Hence when an individual, corporation, community,
or State find their actual insufficient to support
any extraordinary expenditures instead of curiing these
expenditures resort is had TO expodents for asng the
wind for the purpose of supplying them. Borrowing
is relied on in all cases. and instead Of economy and
trenchment, OF extravaganza opened,
since all know that mankind apt TO be prodi-
gal of borrowed money than of that which they have
earned by the sweat of their brow There Is restraint
tho prodigality of a government so long as IL can
borrow. The poopo do not immediately feel the
weight OF the burden not aware OF the cancer eating
into their vitals and If they think of poor pack
horse poserity quiet their conscience by the consong
conviction that they to become heirs to all the
blessings derived from these expenditures, 1t is but just
they should shoulder the burden by which they are ac
companied Under the operation of this system though
the public debt of the United States proper is far less
than that any other civilized people of equal numbers
and wealth. yet is quite certain that the debts OF the
individual States Cities towns, and corporations of the
United States combined together amount to greater
sum than the national debt of any country in the world
except England That these State debts cannot andwill
not be paid very certain, since experience has every
where demonstrated that the surplus revenue OF State
is seldom If ever appropriated to the payrpenta OF Its
debts being expended in projects and that what are
called sinking funds for the only nest eggs to
be Matched into and extravagant undertakings afford
ing additional jobs for SPECTATORS and additional means
of political corruption.
But you know, my friend, that If have any fault it is
that of being too goodnatured Besides have always
had sort of sneakng kindness for friend Jonathan
whose great weakness is that of following bad examples
and being always in too great hurry But after ALL he
is not much to blame for his nveterate propensity to
borrowing, having many brilliant examples before him.
There much too to be said in favor OF borrowings and
don wonder friend Jonathan is deeply smen with
it, But instead of argument of my own, will give
you both argument and example, which deem more
conclusive than all the theories Of the political econo
mists
Those who have read the famous az Chronicle of the
heroic deeds and sayings of this good Pantagrue writ
long while ago by Monsieur Rabelas will recollect
how that magnificent monarch bestowed on favorte
courtier called Panurge great rowdy) the Lordshp
of samagund with yearly revenue of 6 67S9, l06,7s9
rails of certain rent besides the uncertain rent of the To-
and periwinkes, amounting year with another
to the value of 2,435, 1863 French crowns.
.Now according to the learned and vcracious chroni
cer the lord husbanded his estate soprovdenty well
and prudeny that in less than fourteen days he wasted
and dapdaed all the certain and uncertain revenue of
his lordship for three whole years. in thousand little
banquets and jolly collaons keeping open house to all
comers and goersyea, to all good fellows young girls,
and pretty wenches; telling timber, burning great logs
for the sale of the ashes borrowing money beforehand
buying dear and selling cheap and eating his as it
were) while it in the grass"
Pantagruel observing this course, day said to the
Lord of Samagund But when will you be out Of debt p
At the ensuing term of the Greek calends quoth Pan
urge when all the world shall be constant and that it
be your fate become your heir The Lord forbid
/ should be out Of debt if, indeed could not be
trusted Who leaves not some leaven night will
hardly have paste the next morning. Be still indebted
somebody other that there will always be somebody
to pray for you that the Gver of all good things may
grant you blessed long, and prosperous life fearing if
Fortune should chance deal Grossly with you might
come short being paid He will always speak good of
you in every company, to the end that through their
means you may make shift by borrowing from Peter to
pay Paul. and with other folks earth fill up his ditch
Truly and in good sooth sir, when ponder my des-
tiny Alright, and think well upon it, you put shrewd
Iy my prayers, and have at bay in twtng with
the reproach of my debts and creditors and yet do in
this only respect and consideration of being debtor
TEEN myself worshipful, reverend, and formidable For
against the opinion of philosophers that of nothing
arseth nothing yet without having bottomed on that
which is called the first matter did not out of nothing
become such maker and creator that have created
what ? gay number of fair and jolly creditors. Nay
creditors will maintain ii to the very fire of
tyrdom exclusively fair and goody creatures Who
lendeth nothing ugly and wicked creature and
imp of old Nick himself And there is made what
debts thing most precious and dainty and Of great use
and antiquity.
Yet doth it not lie in the power of every to be
debtor? To acquire creditors is not at the disposal of
each mans arbtrament You nevertheless would deprive
me Of this sublime felicity You ask when will be
out of debt
Well TO go yet farther, and possibly fare worse in
your conceit may Janet Babn, the good Janet snatch
me if have not all my lifetime held debt to be a
union conjunction of the heavens with the EARTH and
the whole covenant whereby the of mankind is held
together What would the world be without debts bor
rowing, and lending Among the planets will be no
regular course All will be disorder Jupiter reckoning
himself to be nothing indebted to Saturn will go
to dctrudc him out of his sphere, and with the Homerc
chain will be like to hang up oil the intelligences gods
heavens demons heroes Garth and sea- together with all
the other elements Saturn, doubt, combining with
Mars will reduce the world into chaos of confusion.
And what would become Of the little world of man
in the absence of all borrowing The head will not
lend the sight of his eyes to guide the feet and hands
the legs will refuse bear up the body and the hands
will leave off working any for the rest of the
bers the heart viii be weary Of its perpetual motion for
the beating of the pulse and will longer lend his
sistance the lungs will withdraw the of their bel
lows the liver will desst from conveying any more