Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-05-17
THE COST OF THE WAR.

was the discovery that thereafter the first
consideration, in any war between civilized
nations, would be that Of cost In the
Crimean war, England found herself spend
ing about one hundred and seventy-fve
millions per annum in the field, and France
probably did not get off much cheaper.
Russia, their oppo:ent, had probably to de-
vote not less than two hundred and fifty
millions per annum, to the same purpose;
aud the game became no longer one Of
blood, or even of skill, but in great part
one Of money. The power which could
support the expense the longest without
bankruptcy, was sure of victory; and here
the Nation of shOpkeepers," as Napoleon
called the English, proved themselves the
ablest. Vast as are the resources of Rus
STA. she was on the verge Of bankruptcy
when she made peace, and her finances
have not yet recovered from the blow.
This important change in the theory Of
war-making has been brought about by
the immense improvements which have
been made, since the abdication Of Napo.
leon l., in the art Of killing men. An
iron ship like the Warrior of La Gloire is
Of undoubted Importance in naval warfare,
but she costs one and three quarters mil
lion dollars. An Armstrong gun is nee.
essary thing to have, but an Armstrong
twelve FOUNDER costs not less than thou
sand dollars. and forty FOUNDER cannot
be made under $1,000 at Government
factory. So with MIME rifles, Enfield ri
fles, Lancaster and other riAed cannons,
our own Dahlgrncs and multitude Of 9TH
er inventions without which it is no Ion
ger possible to enter on campaign with
the slightest hope Of success. They all
cost money, and such great sums that small
or poor nations no longer dare to to in
dulgc in the luxury Of war.
Even the peace establishment Of ma
ton like England, which stands in fear Of
Napoleon's ambition, is no triAe. The mil
itary and naval appropriations Of Great
Britain for the present year, when she is
at peace with all the world, amount to
over ninety million of dOllars-without
counting the sums devoted to fortifcations.
In fact, England and France are playing the
game of war without striking blow or
spilling drop of blood.
This is view of the question which the
Montgomery mutineers in their bloodthirsty
haste entirely overlooked. They are al
ready bankrupt. OF their long-advertised
'most advantageous fifteen million loan,"
they have, after every effort, got accor-
ding to their own acceunt-but twelve mil
lions. They have been running in debt,
for the last twelve or fifteen weeks, at the
rate of nearly million week. The en-
tire twelve millions, if they could get it,
which seems doubtful, would not set them
square with the army and commissariat.
They can borrow no more and they have
stolen already all there was to steal. They
have come to the end of their rope.
Meantime, in less than fifteen days, our
citizens have giUen for the support of the
Union nearly thirty millions of dollars;
and it is safe to say that over one hundred
millions have been placed at the service Of
the National and various State Govern.
ments by our banks. The city of New
York alone has already giOen to the cause
Of Union and constitutional liberty more
than the traitors have been able to borrow
and steal in five months for its destruction.
And in all this calculation the revenues of
the Government are not counted. The
traitors hold many important ports, but
treason has destroyed their commerce.
They have not Il cent of revenue to-day,
and will not have, if they could keep trea-
son alive for a dozen years. Their boast
ed cotton-tax security for the "Confeder-
ate Loan" will never be collected because
not bale of cotton will leave their ports
till the flag of the Union once more floats
freely over the custom houses. Credit a.
broad they have none; and many bankers
Of the. cotton States have already removed
their bullion to the North, and thus defeat
the last desperate resource of the 'Confed-
crate" robbers, of laying violent hands on
the bank specie.
While they are thus bankrupt, beyond
hope of recovery, the United States Gov
crnment has a revenue which will be lit
tie, if any. impBred; credit abroad which
will be stronger than ever before, now that
our people have shown their real devotion
to the Union; and nation of wealthy free
men who will give millions for the defense
of the liberty and laws under which they
have enjoyed an uucxampled prosperity.
We can spend two hundred and fifty
millions in defense Of the Union, without
feeling It. We are prepared to do 80.
And the Montgomery mutineers twaddle
about their puny twelve millions.--[New
York Post ~''''' .Ap' '1''i