The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-08-03
COMMUNICATED

Fhe War--iss Cost, Consequence and Hnyy
tic Debt will be Paid
rive hundred millions have been voted to carry |
on the war for the present year. Two hundred !
miiions more will be necessary to make up the de-
ficency of the civil list and present indebtedness
making seven hundred millions OF expenditure (be-
sides the large individual State expenses) for
people who have hitherto considered seventy mil
lions an extravagant yearly outlay. And vet this
is only the cost OF begnning-what the amount
will be in the end is too appalling to think of in Our
present frenzy.
Where will the money come from? Oh, that is
easy enough, they tell us; pay high rate of in
terest and borrow it. Well, maybe we cam but
suppose we should fail in subjugatng the factious
States, would the immense yearly taxation he borrn
cheeriuily by the North alone? We think not
The burden, no matter how divided, always bears
the heaviest upon the shoulders of labor. Is it
reasonable to suppose that this gigantic class
If voters, irhich Is able to control eyery cleo
ton, will be willing to continue to pay enor-
nous taxes on the necessaries of liie for
which they have gained nothing but lower
wages and less work? We think not. Thou
sands of politicians are ready, at any moment, TO
mechanics and laborers to lift themselves into
| offices they could not otherwise secure
single illustration is sufficient to show the
workings of this system. The immense German
last election, been with the Democratic party
Last fall the Republican party held out the bait in
their declaration of principles, that if elected they
would give the public lands in limited quantities to
| actual settlers. Now, when we take into consider
alton that these lands could always be had for
about the cost OF surveying them, and that, being
so distant not one in ten thousand would avail them
selves of the law, yet this small inducement was
sufficient to secure their entire vote.
The masses look to their supposed immediate III
erests, without caring about consequences; aud it
is absurd to suppose that they will rest contented
with heavily taxed beer, spirits, SALT coffee aud
gar scen they possess the p0ccT an their Oicn hands to
abolish the burden. These taxes, which they
have been free from in this country, will but too
wildly recall the hateful expressions they left be
hind them in the despotisms of Europe, and they
VIII certainly repudiate the debt Popular MAORI
ties OF this class not always lust or consistent
when they feel they have the power. Yes! but we
shall conquer the South, and they will help to paw
IT.. well We'll III we can believe the voice of passion
but so tar they have all proved false prophets.
They told US the South was starving; il we would
shut them up for sixty days they must sue for
peace. Twice that time has elapsed and we now
lind to our surprise that their harvest is suicien,
for two years consumption. They told us the
LORDS curse was upon slavery, and the moment
war was commenced servile Instructions wouId
compel them to obedience. AS yet nothing of the
kind has happened. Seventy-iivc thousand man
were called out to retake the public property. and
we were told it was ample. Instead of recapturino
States out of the Union.
Gen. Butler, with &c, 900 or 80 600 men and fact
was sent to take possession of Norfolk in a week
So certain were the public that he would succeed
that we hourly expected the news of its Capture -
Three months finds him still in Fortress Monroe
having accomplished nothing but the disastrou:
affair at Bethel. Two hundred and forty thousand
men were called for-the same authorities told n.
the work would now be sharp and short; the over
towering force would crush out the rebellion in mr.
time But they have not succeeded. Ninety thou
sand men were collected about the CAPITAL and
drilled under the personal inspection of Genera
Scott; railroads were built, telegraphs laid auC
balloons brought into service, and millions Of wal
material accumulated in the city, as base of ope
rations. Daily we expected the army to move
that was to annihilate the rebels. But Genera
Scott, being an old soldier was cautious; he threat
ened to resign If he was hurried. He must have
time to make victory doubly sure So we waited
Two more months rolled Cd, and finally the "eranc
army" of the Union, numbering nearly G0 OO0
moved forward. 1t was considered so invinc;bI,
that Congressman left their legislative seats anC
followed to witness the defeat and determination n
the rebels. Alas! we all know the sad and mort
tying RESULT how our army was routed learinc
their dead and dying the field, and ieeinq IL
terror to the streets Of the Capital And now w,
are called on for five hundred thousand men. anf
money in proportion, with better results promised
Can we place any further confidence in pronhet
who have, in so many instances, Drored tScmaeIre
, JdtSe or anSdneE Con mon saws no. Ever,
day only confirms the fact that we cannot conone,
peace with the sword, and it is the height of folI
10 THINK so. But suppose it possible we couId suc
coed in preserving the Union bv force The ron
stltutlon ohllges us to allow them REPRESENTATIVE
whenever they return to their allegiance. Fiftee,
states out OF thlrtyfour have no hand in creating
TINS war debt; efecen not represented and f,u
, protest against 1t, as unconStutionaI-c
that there is no power to close the ports or wa
against entire States The thirty Senators from
to pay interest or principal offs debt created. a
hey Thank, unconsttationaIly by the North To oppreg
the South Five more votes would give them tn
controlling power. These and many more wouI,
easily be secured among the Northwest apricultu
raj States, who receive no benefit from the meme
now being expended, and who even now are nra
, testing In Congress against tax being laid on tn
land OF their hundreds of thousands Of small farm
from the eastern cities.
The South would always hold an overwhelming
balance OF power on Northern questions AM
there is not the least doubt that wien the people
the North oegln to feel the weight of taxes on thu
necessaries OF life they will imperatiyely demand
neir repeal oy eee at tho s
no hypothesis Small politicians would need no bet
ter opportunity of appealing to the preiudces of tn
masses as they do now to their passons), and
thereby ride into power over better men, So that
if we could succeed in conquerinc the South h,
force, with the aid of one thousand or more million
OF borrowed capital the Reputation of the deLt ,ro,
be CERTAIN for nearly onehalf of the Senator's two
from each state, would be pledged against it as IN
constitutional from the beginning; and the oppres
slve burdens on the poor, who have ALWAYS bee,
exempt from taxes in this country, would sool
make an overwhelming majority for repudatio,
without regard to consequences
TINS might bring another war if Euronao,
citizens attracted by high rates of interest shouC
be SO imprudent as to lend US money on such preca
, rious security.
Now, sirs | have always been Union man am
considered secession a heresy; but in view of tn
grave complications and evils certain to be entaiIe
upon us by war and debt, | would prefer to lei
our misguided brethren go in peace as infinitely
the lesser evil But, alas! the intense frenzy of III
hour, bounded on by interest and passion, will no
lend an ear to reason until too late Anarchy anc
destruction must overtake us if We continue tn nar
ssG IN our MAD ioiiy. BEN. FRANKLIN.
PHILADELPHIA, August, 1851.