Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-06-19


duties, when the services of competent public OF
hcers we're available, and by involving the Coy
crnmert in a vast number of contracts with per
sons net legtimatcly engaged in the bushes
pertaining to the s,ibicct.mattcr of such contracts
especially in the purchase of arms for future dc
livery, has adopted policy highly Injurious 10 m
public scrpice, and dcserrc, the ccnSurc Of hi
House"
| have shown that, by the deliberat,
finding of a regular committee of the Sen
ate, the present Secretary of the Navy
Gideon Welles, in connection with hi.
brother. in-law George ID. Morgan, has
unlawfully cxtortcd from the tax payers
of the Government SO, 900 Of their mon
ey. With neither justification nor rcsti-
tuition on his part; he yet retains his seat
at the board Of the Cabinet council, wears
fine linen, and fares sumptuously every
day, while the wives and children Of sol
diers have died in the great philanthrop-
c cities Of the North for the want Of bread.
| have shown that a commission of
most eminent gentlemen appointed by
the President himself have proven, con
clusively proven, that the blghtiHg touch
of John G.. Fremont during his hundred
days in Missouri palsiet public credit, de-
frauded the people Of millions, filled the
blooted purse Of his favorites by fraud,
demoralizcd the public service in every
branch, and sought to destroy the Con-
s,itution itself The exhausted soldier
is put to death for yielding to irresistible
slumber at his post, the victim of pinch
ing poverty is sent to the pontcntiary for
stealing provisions for his wife and chill
dren; but this exalted criminal finds ap.
proval for his conduct, is surrounded by
tlatterers, is restored to tn, field, and sits
in his saddle Of command and of power
Sir, Cicero brought the naughty Nerres
to trial and to condemnation for his frau
dulent practices in the Siciian province
and Burke enriched the English Language
by his dcnunciations Of the cxtortonate
measures imposed by Warren Hasting,
on the people Of the East Indies; but il
the midst of fraud and robbery in tn,
very highest department of this Govern
ment VIC have as yet seen no official dc.
llnquent brought to answer the law 70
the plumber OF the public Treasury, bu
rather we have seen the perpetrators %
these wrongs receiving still greater marks
Of confidence and Of favor, and mounting
to still lofticr heights Of honor
But, MIR. Speaker, having established
by the highest proof the charge which
make Of fraud in the management of oun
pccuniary affairs by which our publ,
debt has been so iearlully increased,
shall now proceed to the brief considera.
tion Of few other points properly in
this connection, and which conceive to
be of public interest
We seek to take refuge, sir, from the
enormous figures Of our national inlebt-
edness whenever they are brought to our
attention, in the fact that we can defer
its payment, and bcqucath it as an in
heritancc to coming generations. Ad-
mlttiCB that this unworthy thing may to
some extent be done, yet let US see for a
few moments, what amount of money
this Government will be compelled annu-
ally to raise in order to prevent open and
confessed bankruptcy before the world
| will content myself with specific
statement Of the various items of current
yearly expense which must be regularly
met. Against the substantial correct
ness ofths statement ! challenge success
iul contradiction.
The interest on the public debt, at
very low estimate, 800, 900, 600.
The ordinary expenses of the Govern.
men. including appropriations for the
increased magnitude Of the Army and Ma
Wy after the war is over, Will reach s 80
600, 900 at ano ther low estimate. | nm es
pecialIy warranted in fixing this amount
IN view of the declaration on this floor,
10y the Chairman of tho Committee on
Military Affairs, Mr.. Blair of Missouri, |
that hereafter our peace establishment
will consist Of a standing army Of u hun |
drcd thousand men.
Tho pension list comes next. This
Government must not fail to meet the re-
quiremcnts Of civilization and of human
ity. 1t must and will provide for the
support OF It's manned and wounded, and
Tor the maintenance Of the widows and Il
orphans OF those who have fallen on the
field Of baltic, or been stricken down by
disease while in the public service, 1t is
of course difficult to calculate the amount
which will be required to meet this item
Of expense, but no well informed person
will pretend that it will less than the sum
OF 500, 900, 900.
To the above must be added at least
99V.OOO,OOO more rs n morSin for claims
against the Government, contingent cX-
penses, and unforeseen events during this
convulAiye and unsettled period OF the
worlds history.
We have thus an inevitable annual cX
pcndItnre, without making any provision
whatever for the payment of the public
debt itself, Of the sum OF 500 900 900. +
This amount VIII make its demands ON |,
the resources of the people in Zach sue
ceeling year, as regularly rs the seasons
come and go, and in voice as imperative
aud memorable rs the cry of fate. You ,
need not avert your frightened gaze from ,
the SoIe contemplation of this terrible
laet, 1t is the lion in the pathway ofthe t
lnlure, hnt 1t must be met, Death itself t
Is not more certain to all than is this G
monstrons annual burden on the shoul- i
ders OF the American people. And now. I
sir, bearing this fearful fact IN mind, from Il
which there is no escape, the ques ton {
necessarily arises with immense, over. l
"helmlng force, as to what system of ii
nance shall be adopted to raise annually /
I'm" monatrous sum Of money. 1t is the t
Fil"i question OF the day, and param cunt c
10 all OtheIs save civil librlty and ,ruuh i