The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-02
The National Debt.

Aho Nati0nm Dent
Long after the questions of reconstruction
and freedmen's bureaus have been consigned
to oblivion the national debt, with its response
bilities and burdens, will be the difficulty of
politicians. President Johnson's letter to
General Ewing ON this subject contrasts
the extravaganza Of the last four years
with the economical administration OF
the seventy-two years preceding the re-
bellion in such way as to put it beyond
doubt that change must take place If the
country is to be saved from bankruptcy. 1t
seems almost incredible that the expenditure
incurred within the short period since the
rebellion should represent sum almost equal
to that OF the seventy-twc years preceding it.
Surely no foundations can be more eloquent
than the naked figures that thus demonstrate
the maladministration of the radicals. The
purchase money of Russian America is no
doubt considerable item in our recent expen
diture; but in the period previous to the re-
bellion there are still heavier expenses of an
extraordinary character to be taken into con-
sideration. Louisiana, Florida and California
were purchased from France, Spain and Mexi-
co at still heavier expense, and during that
period three years war with Great Britain,
another with Mexico of shorter duration and
numberless Indian wars helped to swell the ma
tional expenditure. We can find no set-off in
the period since the war comparable with
these. Extravagances and corruption have
been heavier drain upon the country than
the purchase of Russian America or the scanty
pensions doled out to the widows and orphans
Of our soldiers. If the radicals saved the
Union they have materially checked the pros
perity of the country. "Your money or your
life" was the unpleasant alternative put to the
the radicals, seems to have fallen into very bad
company.
Mexico, Canada and Cuba are still wanting
to swell the greatness of our resources and
make all North America ours but so long as
such heavy burdens of taxation are imposed
on the people we cannot expect that they will
drop willingly into our arms. In the midst Of
peace our expenditure is upon . war footing.
What would it be if some unforeseen circum-
stance involved us in European war? Either
carried out with the most unsparing severity
and disinterested patriotism that looks more
to the common good than the interests of
party.
Our financial Encouragement has indeed
brought the country to o crisis scarcely less
dangerous than when the first shot fired at
Fort Sumter inaugurated the civil war. Then
the vacillating policy of the democratic
leaders compelled the people to support
radical government, and were the exclusion
of the democrats from Office the only result
we should say, ''Served them right" But with
radical power came radical plumber; and the
amount of treasure thus robbed from the peO-
pie has burdened MS with q national debt
which cannot be repudiated without disgrace,
and which, if we hope ever to liquidate, we
must at once set about putting the government
expenses on q peace basis and detecting and
furnishing corruption wherever it may be
found.
Ex-secretary stanton Governor Seymour.
Ex-Secretary Stanton addressed an immense
audience at the Philadelphia Academy of Mu-
sic. last Saturday evening. His theme was
Governor Seymour's late speech, which he re-
viewed, analysed and denounced with unspar-
ing severity. Among his most telling hits
were the declarations that Governor Seymour
had gone over President Johnsons track for
the purpose Of making the people believe he
was right and the republican party wrong, and
speeches to suit the localties--one for the
Ohio farmers. on the low prices of -four and
grain the second, in Pittsburg, to the work
ingmen, about the high rates of taxes, and the
third to the Berks county democrats, on the
vast expense incurred during the war for
transports. He handled the Presidential aspi-
rant without gloves, demolishing him utterly.
1t was almost cruel to expose Mr.. Seymour to
a gladatorial contest with Mr.. Stanton, who
would have found in General Blair foeman far
worthier Of his steel. 1t is pretty certain that
in venturing to s'swing round the circle, !"
like President Johnson, the eleventh hour
Seymour attempted feats more perilous than
any of Leotards. Fortunately for him the
break neck exhibition will soon be at an end.
Let us hope that he may survive the shock of
his inevitable fall from the dizzy heights to
which the National Democratic Convention
lifted him. Shouting
MOI ent up Utica contracts our powers,
But the whole boundless continent Is ours,
he rashly rushed forth only to spring into the
very arms of defeat. Tie may now seek his
quiet retreat near Utica, and during the rest
OF his life raise watermelons, hunt, fish and
pose perpetually for Kurtzs admirable pho
tographs of .'Mr. Seymour at Home"
ELECTION DAY IL THE SoUTH. Grave APP
prehensons are entertained in many quarters