Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-01-28
LErrnn Fnou w1LLIAm PENN.
NUMBER FOURTEEN.
WASHINGTON January 27. 1862.

WASHINGTON. January 2I, 1862,
Congress is at present deeply engaged 10
planning and contriving ways and means
physical and fnancial-to quell the slave /
1t talks of armies, discOurses Of
navies, and delberates upon financial mat
tiers with much apparent earnestnessi but
as yet has come to no conclusions as to what
it will do, although the frightful necessity
stares it more fully in the face every day, and
calls upon it to do something, and that
quickly to relieve the country from the
weight and pressure incident to q jumbled
and uncertain financial policy, such as the
entire nation is now suffering from.
Our legislators seem sore distressed 10
discover what shall be taxed. and how much
and TO find that out, they seem disposed to tax
their own wit and the peoples knowledge.
They have not yet discovered that members
of Congress get three thousand dollars per
year, each, for talking and wasting time
which properly belongs 10 the country; they
are in happy ignorance Of the fact that a
slight reduction Of the pay of each member
would aid largely in augmenting the nation
al exchequer but with sort of self.pre-
seryation-instinct they look anywhere and
everywhere else than at home for a place at
which to begin retrenchment, and which
shall mark the starting point Of financial
accumulation. a good natured as well as
wise sci OF gentlemen are our worthy law
makers. They propose to lop of portion
Of the pay of the troops who.-while this
charitable act is being done--are imperilinp
their lives in front of ferocious aud inhu.
man enemy and then, turning from th,
army and navy they go to the fountain of al
knowledge--the Press--and chip of cog
here, and take ont 7crew there, aud IN tho
name Of patriotism clog up this great 1gh-
way Of popular information with proposi
ton almost prohibitory in lis rigid opera
iiops, and all for liberty and 10 insure
vigorous prosecution of the war
Now while We do not believe there Is
man IN all the North who reads the ne5s
( papers bni would with eieat cheerfulness
he willing to pay liberal addition To- ih
subscription price ol the paper he reads q
Il war taX, We have grrat donhis rs io hi
entertaining an affirmative opinion as 10 tn
propriety or fairness Of Congress passin
such law, while the members are unwillin
to give single dime from their own ,ala
ries for like purpose. 1t Is the homes
opinion Of great many well meaning an
intelligent persons that there is entirel
ION much cheGp pdirioiism m CyRqrsss: that
= this matter of taxation, the members nc
J very much like certain benevolent ladie
who are found in every community, are
and small who deal in philanthropy and hi
manity Al other peopl-'s eypeRse' Who are eve
ready TO accumulate large funds bored AN
j begged from persons IN the humber wall
2 Of life and who with great ostentation an
parade dispense charities in their own nam
b from this gathered treasure, taking care
p keep the real donors out of sight, while the
+ themselves occupy the prominent lore
: ground, and thus pass for genuine beneia
: tors and friends Doubtless every persC
who reads this can picture in his or her mir
D living witness OF its truth for this ella
7 Of humanitariaus occupies neither IL co
e tracted or sparsely covered field Congre
s seems to be striving after just such a pos
tion and reputation before the world. Th,
c are great patriots uudonbted friends of Il
Il country, and consequently of the people al
i the peoples interests. They are most an
o ious to make occular demonstration of th
$ fact, hence they ply themselves with desp
L rate energy to practical illustration ther
u of, by their efforts to raise money for Il
u war. Money is wanted, and money must
5, raised but not from their pockets. No i
4 deed. All other interests must contribut,
J. all will contribute aud il is enough f
n honorable gentlemen, Representatives al
p guardians Of the nations veal to he Il
J. dispensers Of the vast fund thus raised al
/, they will be its dispensers. And in Il
u name OF patriotism, public duty, and II
Il peoples dearest interests they will proclai
" themselves THE gayiours of the Republic,
j. reason of their great personal sacrGc
made for their dearly beloved and beedil
% country,
- 1t a we'll that II lofter and purer nation
u sentiment animatesthe popular heart. 1t
T. a blessed thing for the Union that the peop
D. are willing 10 fight out this war and pay f
o the privilege too Their ready acqnescen,
in any meagnrc Of taxation that will lestr,
l. the rebellion j. happy omen Of the pow
y and strength Of the republic else, indg,
p by the seltishness Of congressional actio
d liberty would long ago have loaud IN gray
s, and onr national honor its final reatil
FL place beneath the tumnltnous waves
" treason, perjury and death winch are swee
inl over the land. WHmAN PENN.
:, LETTER EItOM FORTHEss MONRo
-, Correspondence ef the Journa aud siAlesu,n
4. LETTER No -.
CANT HAMILTON, Fortress Monroe, Va,
la s-Llt aa.t