Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-01-04
A TONTINE.

Why cannot the Congress make use of ton
tine TO retire. say one hundred millions. Divide
it into ten classes, according to the ages OF the
subscribers. Make the shares one hundred thous
and dollars each, and giving to each class ten
thousand shareholders. During the lifetime Of
all the shareholders each would receive six per
cent upon his share, but as in the large number
of shares some would die off each year, the
annuity of the survivors is continually increas-
ing ,toH ts ttrff tfsfoHHtf
And as no man expects to be the first to die,
but as every one thinks some of the other share
holders must pass away before him, so though
some must die, each man hopes and believes that
his chance of surviyOrship is much better than
any other Of the shareholders.
Il Is a lottery Of survivorship, with good in.
terest during life, continually increasing, and
with the prospect TO ALL and the certainty to one,
of at some time receiving an immense income.
The Government, by the tontine retires immedl-
ately one hundred millions, and pays annually
six millions IL NAV, before the expiration OF
the tontine, pay very much more than one humid
red millions; but its payments are extended
through long series of years. The present
condision of the currency would be relieved by
the speedy withdrawal oil the one hundred mil
lions There are but few who cannot spare
81 900, and all would, il they knew that by a
certain day the currency feature of the notes
would be taken away-that no matter in what
property tueN @cndilE bctNl tdAtS "Oulu
find it out and eat it away i Richmond Enquirer,
Dec 49,
SMALL ARMIES.
The habits OF a people are stronger than their
laws The defense of the country, previous to
the present war, was based substantially upon the
miiiGa of the several States, aud on volunteer
armies raseias occasions demanded.@ II was on
this system we conducted successfully the war of
l776, the war of 1912, and the late Mexican
l.
war, and achieved, before departing from it, the
greet est successes that have attended our arms
Perhaps compulsory eflistments. beyond that
contemplated and provided for in the Constitu
lions vi the country aud OF the States, became
necessary, with the Developments of the war. We
will not look back to the OCCASIONS or effects of
the change; but more radical changes are pro-
pOsed--more sweeping conscriptiOn-upsetting
and obliterating every remnant OF the old sys
TEN Will we be benefited by the new order of
things If 10 prevails we fear Bots---------
The success OF battle, much less of war,
depends not entirely upon the numbers on the
master rolls 1t is the moral and physical con-
diti0n OF The men, The numbers that can be con
eentrated at desired points. the requisite mum
tons and supplies At hand, and the superior skill
Of those in command.
- The consular armies Of Rome were rarely 90
eco men. and with these they conquered the
world. Xenophen conducted his mastery retreat
from the capital Of Persia with 10 900 men, and
Militades. with the same number, vanquished the
hosts of Darius at Marathon. Alexander set out
20 conquer Asia with 30 900 men, and he did It,
Napoleon with the same number vanquiShed FIVE
successive armies of Austria in Italy, each nearly
double his own. We are not without parallels,
Especially at Manassas hnd the startling successes
of Price in Missouri, with Volunteers, at the be
ginning of this war. Ii is almost with the begii-
ming of compulsory enlistments. and the vast In
ere lse Of our muster ROLL that our serious re
verses commenced
s What we want is undivided and unweakeDed
armies Ia fr1nt Of the maiI. invading armies Of
the enemy. Let Us select and fortify the appro-
pirate points thst are in the line Of his main ad
vance and there await him. And we can cheek
Him. Our defached forces have shown them
selves more thin a match for his. They can
zxreitv restrain his rayagesand threaten his com
.nunicati0ns- He can remain securely master
only of ihc very ground be occupies. and must
give battle, m1intsin his position OF Withdraw
alike az great ais ,dxaufate- Nor are overwhel-
. ming numbers on our side p such positions re-
Qnidte. Or on his 70 be REGARDED alarming The
battle OF fredericksburg exemplihed this folly
nor IL c0ntroverfed, all the circumstances con.
3 si1ered II Ch,ttnooga-perhaps the only two a.
hasiraiions Of the Our policy i never to
attsck niless wtb every thing favorable 70 Us; to
let him come upon our soil and besbtjected 10
the dangers and anBOyances OF our detachments
DOT ffon the mai ;,rrBies--and guerrilIas upon
bis Ink and rear and his line OF communica.
tim Il Rishnond Wing. Disc r. n r, n
. = ~ ~ ! u ~ ~
; - THE REeIxx'Seo or THE END
The Presidentiai On npAign inthe 0 nfedstaies.
witch tskes place duringthe coming summer and
Yfai has been looked 20 as he elimination OF the
! var. The Auburn speech OF Seward foreshadow.
ing purpose On the part Of Lincoln 20 hold on 10
abe reas pi pomef pnfl he was both de tire ADD
d< faes Prssident OF these Confederate States AZ
well as or the United States. regarded AZ a
tained. ifneeeis9ry. by the force Of arms Since
the delivery Of the Auburn speech. events have