Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-12-23
brands n N Revenue Department.

Its q huulilistiag fact that while the people are
hardened with high tax, brought upon the coun-
t+v by Southern rebels and Northern democrats,
that there are so many handling the public
revenue who are 80 grossly destitute of honesty
While the honest, loyal people of the nation are
working to sustain the public credit, and to main
tain inviolate the contracts made by the nation for
procuring means 10 put down the democratic re-
bslion. these vampires violating confidence re-
posed in them, and are misappropriating and mis-
applying the peoples money to build up their own
fortunes.
Revenue officers in parts of the country from
whence large portions of the internal revenue is de-
rived, are controlled by whisky rings and other
nbinatons to cheat the country out of the bene-
fits intended by the payment of these taxes. When
the late bloody war was raging, devastating the
whole Southern country, ard calls we're being con-
santly made upon the people Of the loyal States for
more mes to take the place of those who had lost
their lives in battle and to strengthen and uphold
our noble armies IN the field the "Great North" re-
spOnded with will and promptness that must
ever rebound to the honor and patriotism of that
section Of our country. After many hearthstone
had been made desolate, and many loved ones had
enlisted never more to return to their happy homes
victory crowned their noble Efforts and the country
was saved from the hands of rebels and traitors
Then came the drain upon their finances. High
taxes have been imposed to defray the expenses of
the war. This is nothing more than was expected.
No one supposed that war Of such gigantic pro-
portions could be carried on without an immense
outlay of money.
Knowing this, the loyal men of the country have
willingly submitted to the heavy burden. While
the rebel-sympathizing democracy have raised a
great hue and cry over matter they were instru-
mental in bringing about, charging it upon the Re
publicans-tbe men who put down the rebellion,
the people have been nobly doing their duty and
promptly responding to the heavy calls made upon
them.
This being all true, it is an outrage that these
swinders these spectators upon the public credit
should be allowed 10 consume what is intended shall
pay the public debt and thus prevent its early
duction If the tax levied under the internal rev.
enue laws faithfully collected and honestly ap-
piled, the time would soon come when the taxes
might be materially reduced.
We shall expect To see a very different state Of
circumstances when General Grant shall come into
the White House. From the manner in which he
brought about retrenchment in his management of
the War Department, we expect to see this whole
matter thoroughly overhsuled, and these dishonest
thieving revenue officers at once removed. Taken
class, we eanddly believe that there is no more
dishonest set of than those now connected with
the Revenue Department We do not mean TO say
that there are none of them honest, but regret to
think that SO many of them are just the contrary
We do hope that under General Grants admins
tration this matter will be looked to. When pro-
per change is effected the country in very short
space of time will be able to perceive its effects.