New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-01-03
CeNGUEsa MUST ACT!


CONGRESS- WUST ACT!
Congress has now been in session moEth,
at the most momentous crisis in our or any
nations history. That it has done little, need
not be said; that ii is accustomed to do little
in December is quite true, but not at oil to the
purpose. One who should spend half an hour
in dressing when his house wes on fire, be-
cause il was his custom to devote about so
much time 70 making bis toilet, would be voted
q fool; and that which would be simple folly
in o petty private sphere becomes gigantic
madness when applied TO the greatest trust
ever committed to man.
But there is no need Of arguing the point.
The hestancy and inaction of the past month
must be atOned by an instant display Of
transcendent decision, energy, ard vigor. Not
till Congress shall have discharged its Own
pressing duties can il expose and reproye short
comings in other departments with manifest
propriety and effect. When it shall have done
it, whole duty in its own proper sphere, ii
may Etly and fOrcibly expose delinquencies and
maleasance elsewhere-but not till then.
The provision Of Ways and Mems stands
frat on the list Of legislative duties Not only
tho National Finances, aud with them the
ability TO prosecute TIE war with ony hope OF
efficiency OF of ,uccess, are imminenty exposed
TO collapse and breaa- down, but the currency
of the country, the very Life blood Of ito indus
try and its trade, is on tho verge of ruin, and
only to be saved by prompt and courageous
action. Let COsgrcss indulge but fef, days
more in dreams Of carrying on the war, like
the rebels, By enormous Issues and .he COM
pulsory circulation Of mere promises, and we
shaD very soon be laundering in tho abyss Of
shinplaster circulation, whereby the proseeu-
ton Of many important pursuits viii be rem
Jered impossible Let the currency fall ten
per cent. below the specie standard, and all
the coin in the country becomes 50 much dead
capital, while change disappears, and - re-
placed by printed lies Of the most fragrant and
pcstient character. To avert this imminen.
and frghtful danger,
! Congress must tar. 1t is not pleasant ne
cessty, but there is no use in sinking 1t. One
Hundred Millions d;awn from the People in
direct taxes VIII save them another Ike sum
ia the maintenance Of Public Credit. To-day,
the six per cents OF tho United States are
worth no more than Britifa ConsOls drawinc
three per cent, and this mainly because tn
capitalists of Tie whole world believe that the
interest on the Brtish debt viii be surely,
uniformly, punctually paid, and have no such
faith with regard to ours. They know that
the British Parliament represents tho property
of the nation. and that this property would
lore lar more than it could gain by reputation,
whether temporary or permanent; they regard
cur political system as based on more numbers,
ard that the moreyless majority will let n pub.
lie debt 90 unpaid rather than subject them.
, selves TO onerous taxation. This presumption
already costs Us Millions i may cost IS ever!
thing unless il be met BY prompt and stringent
taxation. Pitts plan OF never buthorisiDs
3 loan without simultaneously imposing a tax al
least sufficient TO pay rs interest, is the very
least that will serve. We do not SEQ how an,
thing further is 70 be added to the revenue b,
: increasing imposts yet more revenue must bt
raised, aud the only resource is direct taxation
There should at once be internal taxes impose
Z On Liquors, on Tobacco. and every other lux
- ury; for to impose heavy duties purely for rego
o hue on Tea, Coffee, Wines, Brandy, &c, Az
q leave their homemade counieIpurts or rival
Z untaxed is parts. ard unjust. Why snoul
S Every Cup Of Tea or Coffee put mite into III
B., Nations Treasury aud glass Of rum or ciga
Il pay nothing No question of Protection or Ere
. Trale is even remotely iuyoycGi tic sole en
e il revenue, and to apporiiou the public burden
q equally and justly. More taxes are inlispcnr
=. able: they should be levied boldly and Of once
J.; But,
I Congress must re,nnch. Taxation alone WI
4; not suffice. You cannot fiji a sieve with water
+, Tie Nation cannot afford to be liberal: it ca
Z At tho utmost be jast. Every useless oiIic
+! should be promptly abolished. Every oic
That could be FLY filed at less cost than il
present cmolumelts should be 30 dea!i with Q
il 10 render its suction on tho Treasury as gent
/. o. mGy be- Wherever q dOllas can be saved
IA there the prunirg.knfe should be applied n
q ,ag.sclcs,ly. Aboys al, Congress should De-