The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-02-13

| E8- The success Of our efforts to quell thu
Rebellion has, from the beginning, depend
ed as much upon the maintenance OF I'M
public credit, as upon any other single
thing. 1t was on this point that at first W.
came nearest to failure. The difficulties
then successfully overcome Were enormous
But they were sllrmounted, and since theI
our financial affairs have been SO unexpec'
tedly prosperous as to astonlsh the whole
civilized world. The Nation has proved
! intellectually rich, and its riches have been
plentifully poured into the National Treas
ury. The cause Of this flux-tidal flow into
the Treasury, was the single fact that am
pie means were always provided by law 10
meet every public engagement-thate each
successive loan went TO the public with
ample guarantees that the interest thereon
was provided for, and would be paid
promptly as it fell due. This gave conf
denee to the capitalists Of the country, first,
and as, in the progress Of the war, money
became more abundant, the surplus III the
hands Of the people all took the same direc-
ton, and the public wants were always
supplied. Confidence grew day by day,
and the Public Credit has been and still
continues firm and strong as the most pat
riotic could desire.
This brief outline of the past indicates
what we must persist in doing in the ftl-
ture. We ra,tst provide the means to carry
on the war to successful termination. We
must provide money to pay interest on
past loans and those required for current
expenditures. The longer the war lasts
the more money it will require 10 pay this
interest. The means must be provided by
taxation. There is no other practicable
mode. And the taxes must be SO levied as
to assure ali public creditors that they viii
be ample and forthcoming to NEE: the pub
lie liabilities.
If Congress will do this there can never
be any difficulty in procuring loans as rap
idly as needed. The mass Of the people
this perfectly, and are, as they
have been always, quite ready to respond.
1t is their interest 20 do SO, for they are, in
fact, directly or indirectly, the actual pub-
lie creditors. Congress is also ready to Go
its duty.
But there are set of spectators and a
number Of croakers who unite in complain
ing Of new taxes. They mostly do this be-
cause they come in contact with some pet
scheme Of speculation, or because they are
to do everything they can
10 obstruct tie Government. One class OBJ
ect for mere personal ends. The other for
purposes. Together they make
noise, but We think no intelli-
gent person will mistake their winnings
Tor those Of the public.
What we want is, that Congress will take
especial care to maintain the public credit.
Whatever taxes are required, should be
imposed without hesitancy, but judiciously
and SO as to be eqaable and as little bur-
lensome as possible. This being accom-.
plished, not the slightest regard should be
paid to the croakers, whose sole aims are
either to speculate on the people or to aid
he public enemy. Taxes were never paid
20 easily as now. The burden is one the
people will shoulder with alacrity, so that
thereby the country be sustained and our
future made secure and glorious.