The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1862-03-14
Who Shall Pay the Costp

being now made by the people OF this
Confederacy. We are pleased that the
matter is being discussed in sufficient
time to disabuse the minds OF few ig-
norant and iniudicious people among US,
who have entertained criminally errone-
GUS notions in regard to it. All who are
disposed to doubt that the South, in case
The fortunes of war fail her, will be forced
at the bsyonet's end to pay the cost Of
her subjugation, would do well TO ponder
the force and signifcancy of the follow
ing sentiments from the Chicago 7ribms.
Says that journal, in its issue of the I'D,
which we have before us
But who shall pay the costs made in
putting down the rebellionf Whose
property shall be taken 10 liquidate the
principal and pay the interest? The Re-
pub,icans with one voice declare that the
property of The rebels must pay IT, The
Union tax payers will suffer enough with
out being called on to pay the frightful
bill of costs created by the rebels. All
true Union Democrats hold the same
view as the Republicans on this import
ant matter.
The debt has gotto be paid; either the
rebels who caused it, or their Northern
sympathisers, must furnish the money
Somebody's property has got to be 'con-
fiscated." Shall ii be that of the guilty
or of the innocent? We have heard a
great deal said and sung about the "consti-
tutional rights of the South" Let us see
whether the North has any constitutional
rights. The question is, shall South Car
DINA rebels Or Illinois loyalists pay the
cost of restoring the national authority
over South Carolina? Shall the tax pay
ers of the loyal States pay the seven or
eight hundred millions incurred in saving
the Union, or shall those who participated
in the attempt to destroy it, be compell-
ed to foot the bill of COSTS"
The Tribune thinks that if the war ends
by next July, the Federal army will be
discharged by the lst of January. 1868,
by which time the war debt will be eight
hundred millions of dollars-a much
lower estimate than that of Mr.. Chase,
who himself fell far short Of the proper
figures. but 10 addition to this heavy
sum says the same paper our people will
be taxed to support an army of not less
than 100000 men, which must be main
tanned for several years to secure peace
and repose, and also an immense navy to
guard the sea coasts and rivers. The
country must never again be found in the
defenceless and unprepared condition in
which it was one year ago. Public safety
forbids it-no matter how much it may
cost to be always prepared to meet do
nestle or foreign foes"
This is the prevailing sentiment among
a people, whose diabolical malignity to.
wards the South would soon find legisla-
tive embodiment in an oppressive enact
ment of this character, had they only the
power to enforce it. Let us not be de-
ceived. If we fail in this war, our prop
erty will be confscated, and our citizens
taxed to support standing army with
which to chain them into an unwilling
and perpetual bondage. 1t is an issue
which would alone be determined by an
INSCRIPTIONS and tyrannical majority in
the Federal Congress. And who can
doubt for a moment, what would be the
decision of that Infatuated and fanatical
assemblage?
The fate that awaits us in case of con-
quest is easily told. Let us make an es-
innate: Admit the possibility that this
war can be closed, as claimed by the enc
my, and the armies discharged from SER
vice, by January, 1868, with debt hang
ing over the country of 81, 000,000,000
Tennessee's portion of this amount, if
distributed among the States North and
South according to their respective popu-
lation, would be forty millions Of dollars,
besides the annual interest on it of seven
millions more. Should the South alone be
forced to pay this debt, in the event Of
her subjugation, as the North declares
she shall, the enormous sum of Sl00,000,-
600, with an annual interest of 81, 100000
more will be our share of the present in
debtedness incurred by the vile Yankee
race in spilling the best blood of our peo-
pie!
Nor does the horrid picture Of oppres-
sion end here. We are told that an army
of 100000 men will be kept in the South
after the war, to hold us in bondage, and
prevent revolt. In times past the regular
army has cost the United States an aver
age of one thousand dollars annually, per
man, rank and file. This entails tax of
100000, 900, Of which Tennessee must
pay S4,000,000. Then the ordinary ex-
penses of government--say $S0,000,000
annually-she will be assessed with 3d.
100000. Thus, including the sinking
found that must be raised for the liquida-
ton of the war debt, startling as the fig
ures may appear, the people of this State
would be literally ground liz the dust by
a tax of over sixteen millions Of dollars an
nually! The fact is difficult of apprecia-
ton, but infallible figures demonstrate 1t
beyond all possibility of denial Other
States, too, will be taxed in proportion.
The Nashville Post Office.
CHATTANOOGA, TENN, March I, 1862.
Editors Confectionery: Please state through