The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-08-27

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circuit of West Virginia, last week, said
| in words so plain and pointed that no
Copperhead can misunderstood them,
that
''The war in which the nation had been
| recently engaged for the preservation OF
| the national Union and government, en-
dangered by rebellion, made the contract
ing of large debt inevitable. This debt
binds t'reoocobly the good faith of the
| people. Its 1nviolable obligation has been
recognized by solemn act of the nation
in adopting the XIVth amendment to
to the constitution of the United States,
which declares that the validity of the
public debt of the United States, au-
thorized by law, including debts incur
red in the payment of bounties for SER
vices In surpresslng instruction OF rebel
lion shall not be questioned.
The impression which Seymour tries to
create is, that the Republican party is
responsible for "lengthening the hours Of
toll |" and the 'sharassing demands of
tax gatherers;" but his competitor for
the Democratic nomination, speaking
under the solemnities of a judicial oath
charges the grand jury of West Virginia
the rebellion made the contracting of the
national debt inevitabte; that the debt
is the price of our national echistonce and
bids irrevocably the good faith of the
people to pay it. 1t was not the Repub-
lican party that ''rebelled' and endanger-
ed the exhistance of the Union. 1t was
the Democratic party in fifteen States un-
der complete Democratic control, that re-
VOTED against the American Government
and made desperate war upon the Union
while the Democratic party in the remain
ing States rendered the Democratic rebels
all the aid in their power. 1t was the fire
IN the rear of CopperheadD Democrats which
prolonged the war fully two years, aud
added one half to the sum ofthe national
debt: 1t that disIoyal organization, in
stead of declaring the war failure"
dlscouraglng enlistments, opposing con-
scrotlon, warning capitalists to subscribe
tor no bonds, and pronouncing green
backs unconstitutional and worthless, had
put their shoulder to the wheel and help
ed forward the Union cause in good faith,
the rebels, discouraged and appalled, at
the irresistible power of United North,
would have laid down their arms and
humbly returned to their allegiance two
years sooner than they did, saving rivers
OF blood and millions of treasure.
And In the face of their perfdy to the
Union we now have the leaders of Cop
perheadlsm whining at the frequent and
heavy demands of the tax -gatherer, and
groaning about the laborer's heightened
hours of toll to pay the expense of queling
a rebellion which they aided and abetted.
The Chief Justice in forlnes the false &C
cuser that the taxes and debt are the
price of our national existence, which
was endangered by the Democratic re-
bellion.'' And the Chief Justice further
charges the grand jury that 1.-The debt
thus contracted must be paid, and paid
in the utmost good faith p and adds
The law Of the amendment, that the
validity of the national debt shall not be
questioned, was already written, upon the
hearts Of the people before they made it
part of the constitution. To provide for
the reduction and final payment of this
debt, and for the annual expenses of the
government, taxes are necessarily impos
ed. In other words, the equal proportion
to be contributed by each citizen is ascer-
by law. He who withholds his Just pro
portion deprives the rest of The people of
exactly the amount withheld. HIS fraud
operates as theft. The sum total neces-
sary to meet the obligations of the nation
must be raised. Fraud upon the reve-
nue. does not reduce that sum it merely
shifts the burdens evaded by the fraudu-
lent upon Others who pay their full pro-
portion. All honest men, therefore have
common cause against the dishonest.
Y gu, gentlemen, represent the honest
men. and it is your duty to see that no
defrauder of the revenue who can be
brought to justice escapes merited pun
lshment. The higher in Office and the
higher in social position the delinquent
may be the more unremitting and search
ing should be your diligence in inquiry
and presentment.
The Chief Justice had the Copperhead
and tobacco rings and Jollnsonian
revenue thieves particularly in his mind;
but his charge has special application
to the leaders of Copperheadism, includ-
ing Seymour who are endeavoring to ex-
cite public hostility to the debt which
represents the price of national exist
ence, and with the payment of taxes
rendered necessary to meet the interest on
the money borrowed TO put down the
rebellion of Seymour party.
wonderful Discovery in Telegraphy.
From the Bolivar (Tenn.) Bulletin, 15th.]