The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-10-30
EXECUTIVE MANSION.

some of the leading facts then mention
ed. touching the national expenditures
and public debt. | now comply with
your request, regrctting, however. that
other aud more pressing matters have
prevented me from more closely illus
trating the necessity for immediate re-
form in the financial operations of the
government.
III lII6 or national independence was
proclaimed, and after an exhaustive and
bloody struggle of seven years, it was
in 11S3, acknowledged by the parent
government. In 1877 the Federal Con-
stitution was framed. and in 1889 the
government went into operation under
its provisions, burdened with debt of
SI5.0O0.00O, created during the war of
the Revolution. Immediately upon the
organization of Congress measures were
devised for the payment of the national
obligations and the restoration of the
public credit. and when in 1872 war wa
declared against Great Britain. the debt
had been reduced to S45.00000O. 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 Sl21000,000. Peace was
again established. and provision was
made for the liquidation of this indebt-
edness at the earliest practicable period.
in order that it might not become per-
manent incumbrance upon the people.
Under wise and economical legislation
the entire amount was paid in period
Of twenty wears. The extinguishment
of the national debt filled the land with
pni i,tt, nd % al
events of President Jackson's admins
tration. Even after its payment q large
fund remained in the Treasury, which
was deposited with the several States
for safe keeping. on condition that it
should be returned when required for
the public wants.
In 1919, the year after an expensive
war with Mexico. we found ourselves
involved in a debt of S64000.0OO. This
was the amount owed by the govern
ment in 1860, just prior to the outbreak
of the rebellion. In the spring Of 1851
the war Of the rebellion commenced.
Each year of its continuance made an
enormous addition to the debt, so that
when, in the spring of 1865, the nation
successfully emerged from the dreadful
conflict the obligations of the govern
ment reached the vast amount Of $4,000
100000. They had not, however. at
tanned their highest point; for when the
army and navy had been paid, the vol
unteer forces disbanded and the navy
largely reduced, it was found, in Feo-
ruary. 1866. that our Indebtedness ex-
ceeded S2,S00.00O.O00.
Having thus referred to the indebted
ness of the government at various pc
RODS of its existence. it may be well to
call attention to n brief statement Of
facts connected with its expenditures
from the 4th day of March, 1889. to the
Both day of June. 1861. The entire pub.
lie expenditures were Sl.700000000. al.
though covering period of seventy.
two years. This amount seems small
when compared with the expenses o
the government during the recent wal
of four years duration; for from tn,
lst of July. 1861. to the Both of June
1865, they'reached the enormous aggle
gate of S3.30O.O 100000. An investigation
into the disbursements since the LIST o
July. 1860, further shows that. adding t.
the expenditures of the last three year
the estimated cost of the administration
Of the government for the year endin.
Both June. 1869, we obtain the sum o
81 ,60O.000,0O0 as the amount for the fou
years Immediately following the cessa
ton of hostilities, or nearly as much a
was expended during the seventv-twt
years that preceded the war. 1t will b,
seen that from 1871 to 1861 our public
debt was at no time more than Sl07,
100000, while subsequently four year
of civil war expanded it to S2,S00,000,
600. 1t will be perceived that, Will
prior to 1861, the largest annual dis
bursement was not quite S74,0OO,O00 TO
the year 1858. the expenditures during
the last three years of peace have sue
cessively been S5200O0.000. S460,000,00
and 1898, 100000, S372,000,000 being tn,
amount which it is estimated will be ne
cessary for the year ending the 30th o
June next. In making this comparison
we should remember that during tn,
long interval between 1889 and 1861 tn,
government was frequently required t.
make expenditures Of an eXtraordinar,
character; large sums were paid to In
dams as annuities, and the purchase o
their land; expensive wars were wage(
with powerful tribes; Louisiana wa
acquired from France at q cost of SIS,
100000; Florida, in consideration O
S5,00000O was coded to the United Sta
ties by Spain; California became part O
our possessions on payment to Mexico
of Sl5.000,0OO, while for S10,OO0OOO oul
government secured from Texas tn,
Territory of New Mexico. During
these periods of our history we wer,
also engaged in war with Great Britain
and Mexico the first was waged agains
one of the most powerful nations of TIT
world, the other made additionally nx
pensive by the prosecution of military
operations in the enemy's territory.
The startling facts thus concisely stat
ed suggested an inquiry as to the caus,
of the expenditures and Indebtedness o
the country during the civil war. Thu
maintenance of the civil government
was the one great purpose that animal
ed our people, and that economy which
should always characterize our tinancia
operations was overlooked i'm the grea
efforts Of the nation to preserve its ex
istence. Many abuses which had theil
origin in the war continued to exis
long after it had been brought to tri
umphant conclusion, and the people
having become accustomed to lavish
expenditure of the public money for an
object so dear to them as the preserva.
| ftpp of tGo IN IN oft bo; 81; NJ;