Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1862-02-13
From the St. Mary's Beacon.
WAR AND IT'S EVILS.

From the st. Mary's Beacon.
WAR AND ITS EVILS.
All writer's upon political economy, al
though they may differ widely in other re-
spects, agree in the opinion. that war is the
greatest calamity that can befall nation.
Barke, whose wisdom and famility with this
question none can doubt, has said. that "a
nation should never 60 to war for an unpro-
feable right or profitable wrong" Nor
can it be said of Mr.. Burke. that there was
aught in his character that savored of the
m.rcenary. History stamps denial upon
any such an assumption. With liberal
and far-seeing mind, unwarped by the
possession of an accute sensitiveness upon
llesubjects pertaining to his own and his
nations honor, his conclusions we're formed
and his opinions based upon the test Of a
lengthy and trying experience.
But apart from the opinion of experien-
ced political writer's. let US view the evil
effects of war. Long and expensive wars,
although some writer's may contend that they
have been beneficial to England by ensuring
through the medium Of local national debt
tainly saddled burthensome and never
ending: taxation upon the English people.
In other European countries, in which wars
have been frequent. taxation aud oppression
everywhere prevail. Indeed, war has but
too plainly left the traces of its deteriorating
effects upon every considerable power in
Europe. In Austria, Prussia. Russia and
France the presence Of large standing ar
mics operates as constant terror and dread
upon the people; and the reformation, which
the.genius of progressive age might bring
to the relief % the oppressed and down-trod-
den. is either crushed in its incipiency, or
kept in obeyance, through the instrument
tality of these engines of despotism and op-
preston. And, can we expect other or
better results from the war now raging in
this country. With an army larger and
more expensively maintained than modern
history has record Of, are we not in greater
danger than the subjects Of any Of the mon
arckists Of Europe? Unaccustomed to tax
attn. .s1or the marfrcnancc eeae,~.<.....s..
are we not about to be transformed, through
the folly of misrule and the malignity of
sect;9nal hatred, to the condition of serf-
don:y
Nsw. we propose to enquire, what ration
al q; use can there be fer . eo0tiuuatiou Of
lq1x lr rs y ,not examine its origin or
"a Afe fenif 4nk its vc-..lts sN4 ne
os6e e that the North shall overruh the
SoueA and subject her TO Federal dominion
Four years. judging from the history Of
events. will be an incredibly short time for
the accomplishment of such task; and. at
the end of that period, we shall have incur
red National debt of $4,000. 900. .0OO.-
To meet the interest alone upon this debt.
at six per cent. $3.50. 100000 will be an
nually required. To defray the ordinary
expenses of the Government to say nothing
Of the vast sum that will be required to
maintain standing army strong enough to
hold the conquered provinces. the ordinary
revenue of the Government will prove bare
ly sufficient. Then. this $3.50, 100000
must be annually levied upon the people in
the shape Of direct taxation, or in some other
equally onerous fless tangible FORM. Now.
there is but one remedy for this evil. and
that is. treaty of peace with the seceeded
States And We ask. apart from all feeling
upon the subject. should not the North and
the West favor such policy? 1t is useless
for them to preach longer about the Insult
to the flag" or prate over the National hon.
or involved, for the Mason-Slidell affair
furnishes a precedent both too strong and
too recent for the availment of any such
clap-trap. Let them look to their interest,
for. after all, that is what nation should
consult, at least, rather than its prejudices.
What the North most needs. and what in
the main she is now fighting for-the New
England States excepted-is return of the
great commercial advantages she is appre-
hensive of losing by disruption Of the
Union. Now. is it likely that her old GUS
toners at the South will return to her the
more speedily or surely by being coerced
intoa return to the Federal Union Would
not pacific adjustment of the National
troubles. even by recognizing the Confede-
rate States. be more likely to produce such
a result? And the West has likewise a
matter Of interest at stake for which she is
battling. To her. the right of free naviga-
ton of the Mississippi river is all important.
We ask. can she not by treaty procure all
she desires? And. again. would not this
be the surer as we'll as the wiser means of
bringing about the desired ends
And. there is another view to be taken of
this question which, it seems. has never
suggested itself to the Northern mind. This
war may continue for years. the people may
be saddled with debt which they nor their
posterity can ever pay, and, after all, the
South may not be subjugated. Where. then,
will go the Southern trade. and who will
control the mouth of the Mississippi? She
may say to the West-we. like yourselves.
are agriculturists and do not desire to cult
vate an intercourse with people, who have
SO recently shown themselves our enemies,
and from whom we can make nothing by an
exchange of commodities. You have no
claims upon our comfy as nation. and we
will not invite competition in our business
by making treaty with you. Tothe North.
she may say-you have made fortunes out