New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-26

at once into the system Of debt and OF taxa
ton in which European countries have made
such unhappy advances in the last three quar-
ters of o century.
There is one sentence in the Report OF the
Secretary Of tho Treasury which deserves to
be written in letters of gold in every leglsla'
tive hall. and over the doors OF every public
edifce in the United States: The idea OF
I" perpetual debt is not of American nativity,
" aud should not be naturallzed" The free
dom from taxation, together with the absence
of landed aristocracy monopolIzing the SOIL
has facilitated, more than all other causes the
quickenipg and strengthening Of the popular
Intelligence. The universal dissemination OF
newspapers and books; the multiplication OF
the comforts of life, and their enjoyment by all
classes; the general support of public educa-
ton. and the participation in its benefits by the
poorest as well Is the richest; these privileges,
which constitute at once the chief glory aud
the safety of our country, must all be seriously
abridged by system of taxation sufficiently
comprehensive to meet the expenditure con-
templated. For the national revenue is d.
version, to its full amount Of go much OF the
earnings of the people, and no jugglery will
enable them to pay it to the Government and
at the same time to enjoy its expenditure
themselves. Hitherto tho amount thus diverted
has not been sufficient to interfere seriously,
or even perceptibly with the comforts OF the
people. But duty of so per cent on all arti-
cles of luxury, taxes upon notes and other
evidences of debt excise duties, and taxation
in other forms, will enhance the cost OF living
at least 80 per cent, aud this must be met, by
oil but the wealthy. by corresponding cur
tailment in the consumption of articles OF lux.
ury aud comfort. Tho daily newspaper and
the cheap literature, which have quickebed the
intellects of the poorer classes; the numberless
articles of convenience or Of taste, which have
relieved and adorned their homes; the particl-
patton in the benefits of education which they
have enjoyed, must all give way to the neces.
sites of public credit.
This is not an oyerdrawn statement OF the
probabilities Of the future, judging from the
present posture of the Government upon the
great question which underlics this war; IL
may sound well to speak OF ending the war
"by great pressure, instead OF great
d" slaughter" and il may be done in time II
the people are willing to endure burdens
crs.ter even than those here contemplated
Ero,n tbe.e burdens there is no escape except
nv a prosecution Of the war on the principle OF
at once Gripping our antagonist to the fullest
extent possible. Are there any circumstances
either in the origin Of the war or in ITS con.
duet BY the rebels which call for any special
tenderness on our part II we would only
avail ourselves Of allies who stand ready to
Join us, We could bring the war to success
full close with half the number of men now
for the most part, lying idle, or. at best
working ia the trenches, in the vain effort
10 make tae South succumb to pressure
We could come out Of the war with n debt
Of only seven hundred or eight hundred NIL
lions. instead of, a. now seems likely two
thousand millions. Between these two sums
there lie, all the difference which there is be-
tween plenty and progress, education aud IN
telligence, on the one hand, aud poverty and
saualid misery and ignorance on the other.
Are not the prosperity aud happiness oil
q. coo. 900 =. Tree people, and their descend
ants. to the eud of time, too important to DO
sacrii to q tlmid policy or maudlln
sentiment 7
The Committee of Ways and Means IN the
House of Representatives are now celebrating a
System Of taxation, to which the people viii
cheerfuy submit, provided that they believe
their contributions are applied to the best adj
vantage. Il cannot be denied that these will
weigh heaily upon a people 50 little accustomed
to taking into account tho demands OF the
Government in regulating their yearly expen-
ditures. But all this will be only just return
for tho security and uDrestrained liberty of
three quarters of century, and Tor the bless
ings which will be secured to Ourselves and
our children, If tho issues now forced upon us
are honestly met and finally settled. A few
years Of administrative economy and Of indus
trial and commercial prosperity viii relieve US
from all burdens necessarily aud honestly III
Cured Ii is for tho people themselves TO
decide whether their interests aud the interests
of their children shall be sacrificed to tender
ness for the institution Of human bondage,
whom, in its behalf, tho horrors VI civil war
have been invoked by it's apologlsts aud de-
tenders. II is for them to say whether they
w,ll now bring TO bear against ;hc arch
enemies OF constitutional freedom the most
eiIectual eDgiaery of war, or whether they
will wait until we all groan under load Ct