Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-10-18
EcOnOnY.

AS surely as thrift follows industry and econo-
my, does want succeed idleness and extrava-
ganee. There has been a manifest improvement
in the habits Of the people during the last few
months in the management of their private con-
Germs; but the national treasury still disburses
the hard earnings of the laborer with the most
wasteful abundance, and this extravaganza is
almost wholly unchecked by the public press
The current national expenses still exceed two
million dollars per day, and this frightful outlay
is ehroniced with little concern, or pointed al
with PRIDE as if il were only liberal handling of
unlimited means. Ii is high time that all who
have the best interests of the country at Heart
should cease their wrangling about matters of
little moment, and pay more attention to this
drain upon the life-blood Of the nation Ii is all
very we'll for fluent orators to tickle the ears of
well dressed audience with highly-wrought de-
seriptions OF our Unlimited resources, and poetry
and music may lend their aid to give brilliancy
TO the charming romance. but there will be an
aftsrpiece of another sort il thisplay is long con-
tinued. The undeveloped resources Of a country
will not furnish food and clothing without the
earnest toll which can make even a wilderness to
blossom, and there will be terrible awakening
from this dream of plenty if the present waste
fulness is not speedily checked.
The road TO ruin has its familiar landmarks
and il needs no prophets finger to point out the
inevitable future, il the National Treasury IL %
be drawn upon With such reckless hand. We
have been told each month that the limit of thi.
heavyexpenditure was reached, and retrench-
ment had begun, but there are no signs of such
economy, and wo do not believe there will De
until it is insisted upon by the united voice OF an
indignant people. Ii il difficult. TO check the
wastefulness of prodigal. even when il is bis
own fortune which be is squandering how much
more difficult. then, to induce oficeholders and
private plunderers to take their hands out Of the
public purse when the general waste contributes
TO their own gain. There never was people
whose generosity was more grossly abused. With
lavish hand they have heaped their fortunes
into their country's Treasury. asking no account.
and only hoping thar there would be enough 10
last until the trial was over. They are proud
even of their wantOn liberality. and. thankful il
the nations life IS saved, they do not now ask
for q too careful reckoning Of the cast. Blu,
changes of popular feeling occur very quickly in
this climate, and il IL comes ID be Understood
that this unselssh devotion is traded on for the
mere purpose of plunder. they will DE quick to
resent the insult as thev we're to respond to tho
first appeal.
Ii is time for plain speaking, and a little
wholesome severity in examining the daily sc.
counts OF these most extravagant expenditures
can DO no possible harm. few wears ago, tho
WDOle country was stirred up BY fierce debate
about few dollars extra mileage paid to mem
bers of Congress. But here are hundreds OF
millions running out Of the public Treasury in
the most wasteful profuson. and we hardly hear
q warning voice Somebody has yet to toll fol-
these uncouated millions. Some ones back
must bear grievous load for every petty thcus-
and in these enormous aggregates. There is We,
10 be net Only toll. but suffering and want il
many home before the final settlement for al
this waste. There is long gaunt procession Of
real people, our own flesh and blood, who mus;
yet mourn over this uncalled for eXuavagapce
We wish that the ghostly presence Of every poel
toiler, whose burden Is thus wickedly increased
could hover about these hsrpies who have fas.en.
ed upon the public crib. and give them fore
taste Of that fearful rerioution which must avail,
them II even-halded justice be not eyaded
Let the cry for economy, to begin at once in
every depaetment OF the Government. be taken
up aud echoed all over the land. until the people
shall be aroused TO jealous watchfulnes. OF
those who have access 70 the public purse and
the current expenses OF tie Treasury be reduced
to ons-third of the amount now SO lavishly
sGuandered.