The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-10-26

l.
the United States has addressed the folowin
letter to Gen. Ewing:
HF EXECUTIVE MANSION
October "a 1868.
DEAR SIR:-In a re cent conversation upo
the subject OF the finances you expressed
desire to be furnished with some of the lead
ing facts then mentioned touching the Nation
al expenditures and the pablo debt / no,
comply with your request regretting however
that other and more pre- sing matters hav
prevented me from more clearly illustratin:
the absolute necessity for an immediate re
form IN the financial operations OF tle gov
eminent. In 1T78 our National independence
was proclaimed, and after an exhausting an(
bloody struggle of seven years was In 1888 &C
knoweledged by the parent government, In
1887 the federal constitution was framed ant
in 1889 the government went into operatior
under its provisions, burdened with deb
of$75,OOOOOO created during the war of the rev
olutlon. Immediately upon the organization
OF Congress mea. ures were devised for tn,
payment of the national obligations and tn,
restoration of the public debt. And when il
1917 war was declared against Great Britain
the debt had been reduced to $45,000O00. L
was then largely increased by the three years
struggle that ensued between the two nations
until, in 1916, it had reached the sum of S127,
100000. Peace again established provision
was made for the earliest possible liquidation
OF this indebtedness, in order that it might
not become a permanent incumbrance upon
legislation. Tie entire amount was paid in a
period of twenty years, and the extinguish.
ment OF the national debt filled the land with
rejoicing and was one of the great events Of
PRESIDENT Jackson's administration. Even
after its payment a large fund remained in the
treasury, which, for safe keeping, was deposit
ed with the several States on condition that ii
should be returned when required by the
public wants. In 1S49, the year after the
termination of an extensive war with
Mexico we found ourselves involved in debt
of $64 100000, and this was the amount owed
by the government in 1861, 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 the spring oi
1865 the nation successfully merged from the
dreadful conflict the obligations of the govern
ment reached the vast amount of $2,600000, GOO.
highest point, for when the army and navy had
been paid, the volunteer forces disbanded, AID
the navy largely reduced, it was found that in
February, 1866, that our Indebtedness exceeded
$4,000, 100000.
Having thus referred to the indebtedness OF
the government at various periods of its exis-
tence, it may be well to call attention to brief
statement OF facts con oected with its expendi-
lures. From the 4th day of March, 1888, to the
Both of June, 1861, the entire pubic expendi-
lures were 81 ZOO 100000, although covering
period of seyenty-two years. This amount
seems small when compared with the expenses
OF the government during the war OF four years
duration, for from the LIST Of July, 1851, to the
3OGh OF June, 1855, they reached the enormous
aggregate of $500 100000 An investigation
into the disbursements since the LIST of July.
1865, further shows that by adding to the ex
penditures of the last three years the estimate
cost OF ad ninstering the government for the
year ending the Both of June, 1862 we obtain
the sum OF $1,6000OOOO0 as the amount re-
qured for the four years Immediately follow
ing the cessation of hostities, or nearly as
much as was expended during the seventy-two
years that preceded the war; 1t will be seen
z that from LII to 1861 our public debt was at
no time more than $127, 100000, while suisse
quently four years of civil war expanded it to
$1,000 100000. 1t will also be perceived that
while prior to 1861 the largest annual dsburse-
ment was not quite $74,0000 900 for the year
1858. The expenditures during the last three
years OF peace have successfully been $780,
100000, 5000 900 and 1898 900 000-$372 OOO-
900 being the amount which it is estimated
will be necessary for the year ending Both of
June next. In making this comparison we
should remember that during the interval be-
tween 1888 and 1861 government was frequent
~ required to make expenditures of an extraor.
dinary character. Large sums were paid to
Indians as annuities and the purchase of their
land, and expensive wars were waged against
powerful tribes. Louisiana was acquired from
France at cost OF $15O00,0OO Florida in
consideration of $5O00000 was coded to the
United States by Spain. California became
Mexico of S15,0O0, 900, while for $4,000, 900 our
government secured from Texas the territory
OF New Mexico. During these periods of our
history, we were also engaged in wars with
Great Britain and Mexico The first waged
against oneso the most powerful nations of
the world, the other made additionally expen-
sive by the prosecution of military operations
IN the eneny's territory. The startling facts,
thus conciseiy stated, suggested an inquiry
! as 10 the cause of this great increase in
aYnQndIfnrac nd ind = Al.
country during the civil war. The maintain
Ance OF the federal government was tiIv-o,,e
great purpose that animated our people. That
economy which should always characterize our
nnancial operations were overlooked in the
great effort of the nation to preserve its exist
ence. Many abuses which had their origin in
the war continued to exist long before 1T had
been brought to triumphant conclusion, and
the people having become accustomed to a Law
lsh expenditure of the public monies for an OBJ
lect so dear to them as the preservation of the
integrity OF their free institutions, have pa
tiently tolerated taxation of the most oppres-
slve character. Large sums of money contin-
ne to be extorted from them and squandered
in useless and extravagant appropriations.
Enormous expenditures are demanded for
purposes the accomplishment of which require
large standing army. The preservation of
the Constitution, and the subjugation of the
States to negro domination, with a
military establishment, costing in time of
peace not less than $100,000,0O0 annually, and
the debt, the interest upon which draws from
the Treasury each year nearly $1,000 900
making total of $250,000000 for tnose two
items OF expenditures alone. Retrenchment
has become an absolute necessity, or bank
ruptcv must soon overake us and involve the
country in its paralyzing and disastrous re-
suits. Ii, however, wise economy be adopt
ed the taxes may soon be materially reduced
not merely for the benefit of few, but in the
interest of all. A revenue would yet remain
sufficient for the administration of the Gov
ernment as well as for such a reduction of the
public debt as would in a few years relieve the
3 people from millions of interest, now annually
drawing the resources. The idea that the debt
is to become permanent should be at all times
discountenanced as involving a taxation too
heavy to be bourne and the payment of an
amount in interest every sixteen years equal
to the original sum. The gradual liquidation
of the public debt would by degrees release
the large capital invested in the securities of
the Government which are seeking remunera-
ton in other sources of income, and would
add to the wealth of the nation upon which it
is now so great drain. This immense debt, If
permitted to become permanent and increas-
ing, must eventually be gathered in the hands
of the few, and enable them to exert a dam
gerous and controlling power IN the affairs OF
the Government. The debtors would become
the servants of the lenders and the creditors
the masters OF the people. II will then be our
shame that bv their own liberation of usurpa-
ton and profigacy 100000 of people have
enSlaved themselves and exchanged SavehOld-
ers for new taskmakers in the shape of bond
holders and tax gatherers. Hence the vital
issue, whether Congress and its arbitrary as
sumptions OF authority shall supercede the SUI
preme law of the land; whether, in time OF
peace, the country shall be controlled by a
multitude of tax gatberers and standing
army, the one almost as numerous as the
other, and making the debt permanent bur-
den upon the productive industry of the peo-
pie, or whether the Constitution, with each
and all of its guarantees, shall be sacredly pre-
served; whether now, as in 1889 and 1916, pro-
vision shall be made for the payment of our
obligations at as early period as practica.
BILE, That the fruits of the labor may be
enjoyed by our citizens rather than used tC
build up and sustain monied monopoly al
home and abroad. The contest is not merely
who shall occupy the principal offices in thu
peoples gift, but whether the high behests o.
the Federal Constitution be observed ant
maint tanned, in order that our liberties may b.
preserved, the union of the States restored
that our system be unmpared ,fraternal feeling
re- established, that our national strength may
be renewed and the expenditures diminished
that taxation may be lightened and the public
debt once more extinguished, that it NAV no
iDjuriously affect the lie and energy, the pros
perity and morals of the nation.
Believing that for the redress of the grea
wrongs, and that correction of the many abus
es under which the country is now laborine
we must look to the American people, an,
that in them is our hope,
am, very truly.
Your friend,
ANDREW JOHNSON.
MISSOURI.