Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1863-03-19
RUTLAND HERALD.


Our Abilisy - Maintain Lsng war.
It appears that when England entered upon
her twenty-three years war with France
from 1892 to lSl5-her population was q little |
over 10000, 900 her taxable income was
$685., O00, 900, and she was burdened with
debt contracted in previous wars Of 81 ,2OO,-
600, 900; the annual interest upon which
amounted to $40, OO0, 900. The current ex-
penses Of the Government for its peace estab
lishment were about $l00, OO0, 900 per annum,
and her war expenses commenced in 1893
with the sum Of $40, 900 900, and gradually
increased to the end Of the war,-the amount
for 1916 being 100000. The total
amount Of these war expenses was $780,
600 1000 ;--of the s'peace'' expenses in the
same time (including the interest on her pre-
vious debt), $2,32O, 900, 900; grand total,
7,87O,OOO,OOO. The average annual expendi-
ture during the twenty-three years was there
fore $4,000 900. And it appears that in
stead Of running the English nation, destroy
ing her commercial prosperity, diminishing her
population, or weakening any Of the sources Of
her natural growth, her1 population in
creased twenty per cent. during the war, her
advancement in wealth and productive indus
try, stimulated in almost every department by
the war, kept pace with that increase and as
the expenses of the war advanced, the ability
of the people to meet them increased also.
How is it here, comparatively The loya
states have population twice as great as was
that of England. This population increases
at nearly three times the rate, above mention
ed,of the English increase and the aggregate
annual prod ucts Of the industry of these states
according to the census of 1860, was $l ,6S4,
,OOO,-three times that of England IL
1892, and twice hers in 1915.
we believe this war is to be shortly ended
by its vigorous prosecution, as soon as the pro
per season shall permit, aided by the exhaust
ion at the South consequent upon the block
ade and the difficulty of procuring supplies
but the above comparison shows what groun(
there is for croaking upon the subject of fail
IRE of our resources to carry on the war TO
years-should 1t be necessary-to preserv
the Union and the national existence. Says tn
New York Times, in concluding an artlcl
from which we gather the above figures
..No one, we presume, will pretend for
moment that the energy OF our people Is no
fully equal to that of the English, or that w
are not quite as able as England to carry OF
any enterprise which the honor of the countr,
or the perpetuaton of the national existence
NAV require. Our war is one OF selfdefenc
hers was one of aggression. We light L
preserve our national life /; to defend the Gov
eminent Of our own country to secure 10
ourselves and our posterity the rights and lib
critics which our fathers won for us and whlcl
are the foundation of all our prosperity Eng
land fought to crush the liberties of torelgl
nation aud to impose upon France Govern
ment which the people detested and had over
thrown. The English nation did not sink un
der the burden, why should ours Her re
sources were not exhausted-ours are mucl
greater. Her courage did not fail lis eur
inferior
Let us have an end to these dismal croak
ings of faintng souls and disloyal hearts. The
Union is to be preserved by vigorous wal
and speedy victories, if we. are fortunate
enough to win them,--but by war to tie end
whenever that end may come.