Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-07-13

contemplate money in fabulous sums, some
thing Of extravagance prevailed everywhere,
but now upon the return Of peace we ought to
begin 20 practice the stern duties Of economy,
be content with moderate gains, and make
some approach TO our former rule Of estimates,
when an advance Of even five per cent in the
scale of duties was weighed with as much
scrupulousness as gold dust in the Balance
But unless we are willing to court the usual
sequence Of war,we must now adopt measures
that will shield our people ftom general hnan-
cal ruin. We are at the mercy of those who
have had no unusual war taxes, no bounties
20 pay 10 brave volunteers. and we must have
a little breathing time, time to reouperate, or
we may yet sink under the load, alteough tri-
umphant at an points in the great struggle
of Freedom against Slavery.
Our great revenue from internal taxes is
wholly dependent upon the fact whether we
can keep our own felis, factories, and work
shops fully manned and the men constantly
employed The tax they pay is per entage
on the inflated current value 10 our markets,
and per cent. here is nearly equal to 10 per
Ct. on any foreign invoice, by which the adtoit-
ness Of trade, are largely undervalued. Our
taxes which are not direct. also, imperoepti-
bly,, press hardly upon all who are engaged
in any kind Of business. Raw materials are
largely increased in cost, stamp taxes insidi-
ously enuap every business transaction, so
that after we have levied extraordinary duties
we find shat importaiions will by no means
cease. Although our present tariff in ordins-
ry times. would be likely to be denounced as
prohibiuve, yet we find it practically produc-
tive beyond al! precedent, yielding for the
year ending June so, 1866, nearly one hun
dred millions more in solid gold than was
ever before ealzsd, or about one hundred
a1d seventy million dollars. While the pres
eut bill Is indispensable to preserve the ag-
gregate of our internal revenue, it will not be-
likely TO diminish. even if it does not increase,
the revenue from imports. 1t will keep our
people at work.
1 am in favor Of taking care Of American in
dustry as against foreign competition, now
and at all times, VII ether it be that engaged
in the production of -four or wool, brogans
or ships, or whether it be the tiny artificial
flower that embellishes the ladys bonnet, or
the p1nderous engine that moves the floating
palace, 10 spite of wind sr weather, from ocean
to ocean. Let the time be far distant when
an American citizen will be forced to work for
the wages Of those whose toll furnishes no
humeeteausi no schOol-houses, ana unhlly not
even tomb-stones for the graves of themselves
or their children. But rather than leopard
izs q sound public policy, rather than excite
the odium which extravaganza is always likely
to excite, | should counsel temporary incon-
venieuce and the lowest rate of duties under
which 1t is possible for our various branches
of manufactures, not to prosper, but to live,
hoping that better time is coming, when la
Dor will be more abundant, taxation less one
rous, and when our paper money shall be good
for its entire face value. God speed the
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