Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-09-08
MEMPHIS TENNESSEE TUESDAY EVENING" SEPTEMBER 8 1868

vations even of all tbs, call for the
direst punishment of the American peo
pie, aud they will receive 1t. They have
dread the bolt Of audacity, and the bolt
will fall.
In this indictment we have thus far
dwelt only upon things fundamental i
the tearing Of one-half the States BY
VIOLENCE from the rest, thus blotting one
half the Union from the map-the de-
struciiou Of civil liberty in these States
the overthrow of the Constitution--the
insidious undermining which, if per-
mitted TO continue, must ultimate in the
topping over of the whole governmental
fabric. OF the cost of ell this--of the
substance wruDg from the sweat Of mem 8
brows to pay for tive have said moth
ing. Little, we trust, will answer our
purpose, Much we have not space TO
say. Let these 6gures rather indicate
than express the grinding burthens OF
the people, put upon them by keeping
the Radical party in power. fI3
They have, by the manner in which
they conducted the war, and by pro-
longing it for the benefit of the Radical
party years after it might aud should have
been closed, and by the most unnecessary,
reckless, and ruinous prodigality of the
peoples money, created public debt
whose ascertaiDed (ofiiciaD amount is
about two thousand five hundred millions
of dollars ($2,50O, ,000), ahd which, when
the unasoertsined is added to it, will, as
estimated by Thsddeus Stevens. who had
charge Of the subject Of finance, or Ways
and Means and Appropriations, for sew
eral years in the House of Representa-
tives, including all the years of the war
and since, and who, therefore, had the
very best means of Information on this
Subject, amount to the astounding sum
of FIVE thousand millions of dollars.
This estimate of Mr.. Stevens probably
includes the private claims for the de-
struction Of property North and South,
debts arising out Of breach of contract
by the Government, and spoliations at
home and abroad, growing out Of the
prosecution of the war, and probably, in
his contemplation, also, the assumption
by the general government of the wsr.
debts of the several States, counties,
towns, etc. Others, again, have esti-
mated the debt, all things included, as
high as six thousand million dollars.
They have not only not lessened the
debt, but have increased it
during the last two months over thirteen
millions of dollars ($l3 l000, ,000), as
shown by Mr.. McCulloch's official report.
First, as to revenue: 4.
They have, from the 30th June, 1864,
to January l, 1868, collected from the
people revenue amounting in all, as set
down in the official record. to seven bill
lions, six hundred and eighty seven mil
lions, eight hundred and one thousand
and sixty-four dollars (S7 ,687, ,80l, ,064),
including the FIVE billions, six hundred
and twenty seven millions, four hundred
and sixty,two thousand, three hundred
aud eight dollars (S5, ,627 .462, 2,3OS) from |
loans and treasury notes.
As going to make up these seven bill
lions, ETC., are put down under the head |
Of direct taxes" (but these only from
June 30, 1862, twelve millions, one hun
ired and sixty-one thousand, three hum
lred and seventy seven dollars, having |
collected in 1867 alone, for direct taxes,
our millions, two hundred thousand,
wo hundred and thirty-three dollars. |
Under the head of miscellaneous"
wo hundred and thirty millions, one
,undred and fifty one thousand, nine
hundred and ffty-three dollars, having
in the one year of 1866
lnder this miscellaneous head, |
mark you-sixly-seven millions, one
hundred and nineteen thousand, three
hundred and sixty-nine dollars.
They wrung from the people in the one
ear of 1865, total revenue, the appalling
um of one billion eight hundred and FIVE
Millions nine hundred and thirty-nine
housand three hundred and forty-five
ollars ,r
Thus much on the subject of money
objected. Now = few figures as to the
honey paid contemporaries Of carrying on
ne Government. fI
They have expended from June 30,
36l, to January /, 1868, total, seven bill
ons FIVE hundred and fifty-seven mil
ons seven hundred and forty-one thou
and two hundred and ninety-fve dollars;
aving spent in 1866 alone, one billion
ght hundred and nincty-seven millions
x hundred and seventy -four thousand
70 hundred aud twenty. four dollars
As going to make up this sum, they !
lpended for the War Department three ]
llions one hundred and eighty millions
rec hundred and sixty eight thousand
nr hundred and six dollars; having
lid out, in one year-lS65-one billion
irty-one million three hundred and ,
thousand three hundred and J
xty dollars. Of 1854. r
For the Navy Department, four hun Z
ed and fourteen millions, eighty three /
ousand. two hundred and eighty 6ye
liars; having spent for the year 1865,
e hundred aud twenty-five millions,
'e hundred aud sixty seven thousand,
ven hundred and seventy-six dollars. n
For '' ordinary expenditures" three r.
lions, nine hundred and forty-fve !,
llions. two hundred aud ninsty-one p
,usand, one hundred aud fifty.fve dol
s; having spent under this head OF a
expenses" for the one year O
1865, one billion, two hundred and
elve millions, nine hundred and eleven A,
,usand, two hundred and seventy dol pl
For miscellaneous expenditures
June 30. 1861, one hundred and
y-eight millions. sixty one thousand
II hundred and fitly-two dollars.
swallowed up in these
szing sums of money, which stagger +
mind in the effort TO realize them, the =
cunt squandered on the Freedmen's
reau would reach probably City
lions. At least, for the year ending
iusry /, 1867, as estimated by General
ward. Commissioner Of the Bureau,
Irly twelve millions were required -
this rate, for three years the Barea9 Il