Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-11-11
rh. w,r Financially Couu.idered,

~
The enormous expenditure Of money which
necessarily results from the present war, as
one of the most prominent arguments ad
duced by the Peace party in favor Of its ces-
sation. 1t is an argument, too, that is well
calculated to carry conviction to the hearts
OF those who place only pecuniary value
upon the Union. 1t is true that the war is
expensive, that il entails taxation upon the
people, and is therefore, to certain extent,
oppressive but in calculating its pecuniary
cost, It's supporters, as well as its opponents,
make grave blunder. In estimating profit
and loss in ordinary business, the tXpendi-
lures are carefully added-up, then the receipts
are counted, and the dit renee between them
exhibit the actual profit or loss. With regard
to the expense of the war, however, the credit
account is not taken into consideration.
Every dollar that has been expended III the
construction Of our immense navy, IN fur
niShing ordnance and accoutrements for the
army, in the building Of orr coast detences,
and in the many other adjuncts to the war,
(which will be Just as valuable after the rebel
lion as they are now,l is figured into the ex-
penses of the war as net loss. This Is mani
festly incorrect, and since the aggregate cost
of these adjuncts forms large proportion OF
the expenditures, it is reasonable that their
value Shall be estimated, in order to arrive at
the true solution of what the war costs. II
is true, it would not have been necessary to
purchase all the material of war in so brief
period as We have done; but a war with for
eign powers was at any time possible, and IN
the event of a collision, this same eSpendi-
ture would have been necessary. Our navy,
for instance, was, previous to the war, the
laughing stock of every maritime nation. we
had three or for,r dozen old-fashioned hulks
that we're about as effective as so many noa'-
ing wash-tubS, in comparison with the naNles
France and England; while at the present
time we have the most powerful navy IN tue
world. which instead of being laughed at, Is
the terror Of maritime Europe. This Is one
item in the credit account Of the war, and
the same is true regarding what may be
termed its other imperiShablc adJuncts. But
in addition TO all this, the war has developed
inventions and improvements in gunnery, |
Notifications, etc., which are Of almost meal !
culable benefit 10 the nation, and which the
world has witnessed with awe and wonder.
These defensive preparations would have all
become necessary, sooner or later, II the re-
bellion had not occurred. The rapid extern
sion Of our territory, aud the jealousy with
which the success of our Republican form OF
government was regarded by the leading pow
ers of Europe, would have eventually en-
broiled us in war, and neceSSitated the cnor'
nous expense which the Government has
now incurred in their constructio. A very
large proportion, therefore, Of the money
which is generally considered swallowed up
bv the war, is simply 4 capital investment,
and one that will abundantly repay US in the
event of future war with foreign powers.-N.
y san.