The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1868-10-28

The President of the United States has
addressed the following letter to General
Ewing:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, ,D.C.O
October "A, 1868.
DEAR SR:-In a recent conversation up
on the subject of finances you expressed
desire to be furnished with some of the
leading facts then mentioned touching the
National expenditure and public debt. l
now comply with your request, regretting,
however, that other and more pressing mat
tiers have prevented me from more closely
illustrating the absolute necessity for imme-
diate reform in the financial operations of
the Government.
In 1776 our National independence was
proclaimed, and after an exhaustive, bloody
struggle of seven years, was in 1888 ack-
noWledged by the parent government. In
1857, the Federal Constitution was framed,
and in 1889 the Government went into ope-
ration under its provisions burdened with a
debt of $75, 600, 900, created during the war
af the Revolution. Immediately upon the
organization of Congress, measures were de-
vised for the payment of the National obi
CATION and the restoration of the public
credit; and when in 1912, war was declared
against Great Britain, the debt had been re-
duced to $45, 100000. Then it was largely
increased by the three years struggle that
ensued between the two nations, until, in
1916, it had reached the sum of 1927, 000,
600. Peace being again established, provi-
sion was made for the earliest practical liqui-
dation of this indebtness, in order that il
might not become u permanent incumbrance
on the people.
Under wise and economical Legislation the
entire amount was paid in period of twen-
ty years and the extinguishment of the Ma
tional debt filed the land with rejoicing, ,anC
was one great event of President Jackson's
administration. After its payment large
fund remained in the Treasury which was
for safe keeping deposited with the several
States, on condition that should be returned
when required by the public wants. In 1S-
49, the year after the termination of an eX-
pensive war with Mexico, we found our.
selves involved in a debt of S64, 100000
and this was the amount owed by the GOV
ernment in 1860, just prior to the outbreak
OF the rebellion.
In the spring of 1861, the war of the re
bellion commenced. Each year of its con
tinuance made an enormous addition to thu
debt, so that when in the spring of 1865 the
nation successfully emerged from the dread
| full conflict, the obligation of the Govern
ment reached the vast amount of 81, 600,
| O0O,O 600. They had not yet, however, at
tanned their highest point, for when the ar
my and navy had been paid, the volunteer
forces disbanded, and the navy largely re.
duced, it was found in February, 1866, that
our indebtedness exceeded 81, 500, 900, OOO
Having thus referred to the Indebtedness
of the Government at various periods of its
| existence, it may be well to call attention tc
a brief statement of facts connected with its
expenditures. From the 4th day of March
1879 to the 30th day of June, 1861, the en-
tire public expenditures were S1,700, O00,-
600. Although covering period of seven
| ty-two years, this amount seems smatl when
compared with the expenses of the Govern
ment during the recent war of four. years
duration, for, from the 1st of July, 1861 tc
the 3Oth of June, 1865, they reached the
enormous aggregate of So, 800, 900, 600.
An investigation into the Disbursement:
since the 1st of July, 1865, further shows
that by adding to the expenditures of the
last three years the estimated cost of ad-
ministering the Government for the yea
ending the 30th of June, 1869, we obtain
| the sum of 1000, 100000 as the amount
required for the four years Immediately fol
| lowing the cessation of hostllities, or nearly
as much as was expended during the seven
|
| 1t will be seen that from 1889 to 1861
our public debt was at no time more thar
| 1927, 1000, 600, while subsequently, foul
years of civil war expanded it to 81, 800,
| 600, 900. 1t will also be perceived tha
while prior to 1861, the largest annual dis
buIsement was not quite $74, 900, 900 (fol
the year 1859, the expenditures during the
last three years of peace have successfully
been $500, 900, 900, $346, 900, 900 and 1898
| 600, 0OO-$372, 900, 600 being the amount
which it is estimated it will be necessary tC
raise for the year ending the 30th of June
next. In making this comparison we shO'C
remember that during the long interval be-
| tween 1889 and 1861, the Government was
frequently required to make expenditures OF
an extraordinary character, Large sums
were paid to the Indians as annuities, and
the purchase of their land; expensive wars
were waged against powerful tribes; Loui
siana was acquired from France at cos
| of $15, 900, 900; Florida, in consideration Of
! So, 900, 900 was ceded to the United State!
| by Spain; California became part of oul
| possessions on payment to Mexico of $15,.
| 600, 600; while for 81, 900, 600, our Govern
ment secured from Texas the Territory Of
New Mexico.
! During these periods of our history, W.
were also engaged in wars with Great Brit
tain and MeXico-the first waged agains
one of the most powerful nations of tht
world; the other, made additionally expen
sive by the prosecution of military opera
tions in the enemy's territory. The start
ling facts, thus cOncisely stated, suggested
an inquiry as to the cause of the increase il
the expenditures and Indebtedness of tn
country during the civil war. The main
tenance of the Federal Government was tn
one great purpose that animated our people
and that economy which should alway
characterize our financial operations wa