The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-03-10
A., National psbs-A Suggestion.

few thoughts upon The subject Of our nation
al debt.
The proposition discussed by the public
press must commend itself to every thinking
mind; viz: that 100000 men can be found
who will contribute $4,000 each, and thus by
one grand donation, pay the whole debt ana
place our Government credit where it would
never again be doubted. That this pan Is
feasible and practicable have no DOUBT, out
I question whether there ere not many loyal
citizens who would esteem it privilege to do
nate small sums. The greatest objection to
this mode Of paying the debt, is the fact that
the disloyal, both North and South, would be
relieved from the Internal Revenue assess
nents; or in other words. the loyal people
would pay their own taxes and also pay what
the disloyaI portion ought to pay. But l
Judge it would really make but very little dii-
ference. II man is SO mean as to turn trail
tor to the country and flag that has fed and
protected him, he is mean enough to make
false returns and swear they are true, and in
every way evade the tax, or pay as little as
possible, land just on this point whole chap
ter might ba written which would astonish
those who are not conyersaat With the way
some men do business and make their returns
under oath) The loyal men have sustained
this war and fought it almost through with
men and means, and now they can pay the
cost, and still have something left. Many of
the merchants of the country have already
signifed their readiness to cooperate in this
grand movement. aaz
Then again it will be for the interest Of all
concerned to pay this debt Immediately by
Of Internal Revenue officers, saving a large
percentage by way of salaries, and give them
chance to make themselves useful in some
other department. 1t would dispense with
the trouble aud perplexity that every man
who is doing business is compelled to submit
to by making returns under oath every month.
1t would save any amount of lying and false
swearing by those who are disloyal, and per-
haps by those who are willing to be counted
among the loyal.
That it would be money saving operation
I think must be patent to every thinking
mind. Suppose man worth $50 600 In green
backs, equalto S25. 900 in gold, doing business
and paying monthly income tax of 800. In
ten years he will have paid $4,000 tax; but
suppose be should at once contribute $1,000,
(which would be l.uch above the necessary
sum) and by SO doing pays the Government
debt; he not only relieves himself of any fur
ther tax or trouble, but he has assisted in pay
lug off the debt, and then his greenbacks are
worth their face in gold, because they will
bring the gold; SO that, instead of having
$4,000 in greenbacks, worth $25, 900 in gold
he has $4,000 in greenbacks worth $4,000
10 gold he has paid his share of the Govern
ment debt and made $4,000 by the operation
The writer of this has but little means, and
thai invested so that Government tax will be
light, yet he would be glad 10 contribute So
500 if the necessary sum could be raised
Then what glorious spectacle it would be
for the whole world to behold. A nation that
can carry on such gigantic war as this, ere
ating the largest war debt ever heard of, and
then by contributions paying the whole
amount at once, need never fear molestation
from foreign powers.
think some plan may be adopted by which
the name of every person who contributes
shall be handed down to posterity. What
better patrimony can 1 leave my children
| than the evidence that was identified in q
movement like this? Iwould like to see a lis
embracing everysman's name 10 this city ,pu
up in some conspicuous place under glass tc
preventmutilstion.) Then at the City Clerk,
Office ON Merchants Exchange, open subcrip.
tion books, binding the subscribers to pay the
sums by them subscribed, provided the sums
thus subscribed throughout the country shsl
be sufficient to pay the debt. AS fast as sub
scriptions are made would have the amount
| carried ont against the Subscribers name II
the list, that all may see the liberality of oul
citizens, while those not choosing to subscribe
will .remain blank. This list, in after years
would be invaluable to those who adorned II
with figures, and it is not impossible that Gov
eminent may some day be able to refund it
would not limit the amount of subscription
but let every one-man, woman or child-set,
such sum to their name as they are willing
to sacrifice for the good of their country
The sum subscribed, in comparison with a
man's means, would be sort of test or Their
mometer of his loyalty.
movement of this kind properly inaugur-
ated and judciousiy managed would accom-
plish the purpose, and what place more fitting
to originate and set in motion such magnif-
cent scheme than this same city of Portland
fully carrying out the idea of our motto
DIRIeo.