The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-09-14
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER IA, 1858.
For which side do the Finances Plead ?

Mr.. WILLIAM A. WALLACE, the "coffse boiler"
OF our State politics, in one of his latest ad-
dresses, stated that the debt OF the United
States had steadily increased under the Re-
publican administration ever since the close
of the war, and even went so far as to give the
number of millions per annum at which it had
advanced. To the ored1lous and ignorant 1t
is only natural that such a statement as this
should be an argument against the Republican
administration, but upon coming close to the
bugbear instead, we find its stately proportions
are decidedly diminished. We are like the
Yankee who was asked whether he did not have
brother blind in the eye who used to live in
California. He replied he never had brother
who was blind his brother never was in Cali
fornia, and finally he never had any brother
at all. So we can say to Mr.. Wallace. 1t has
not been Republican administration siuce the
war, the debt does not show a strong increase,
and finally the debt has not increased at ALL
Let us see what has been the tale told by the
figures OF the Treasury Department The
amount of debt less cash in hand on the fourth
of March, 1860 was $685. 1sO,S55 On the first
of September, 1865, it was 81, 1857, ,6S9. 57l So
that we can actually calculate that the total cost
of the Rebellion. exclusive of life, suffer
ing, and stagnated industry, was about
81, 69l, ,50S, GIG. Who do we have to thank
for that Upon the members of what politi-
GAL party should that war rest Surely no
sane man can doubt but that the Southern
Rebels were dire city responsible for this
sum. Where are the Southern Rebels to-day
90 of tba AoK
an exception worthy of note, the men who led
and caused the war are with the Democracy,
aiding it, working for it, and prepared, il Op-
portunity should offer, to fight for it as we'll.
Does Mr.. Wallace credit his friends with their
share OF the debt But let us see where his
Increase is. The highest point reached was
ON the 1st of September, 1865. The last
monthly statement, from the 1st of September,
1868, shows an Indebtedness of 81, 535, GA 313.
Which is the greatest, Mr.. Wallace The
single rule of substraction will show. The
sum shows decrease of two hundred and t,cen.
ty-two millions seuenty-fue thousand two hundred
and ffy-eigh dollars within three years. Yet
Mr.. Wallace says that since the war ended the
debt has steadily increased. There is some
mark.
But the figures not only show us decrease,
but by examining the fluctuations We eau see
where the greatest decrease is to be found.
From the 1st of September, 1865, to the 1st of
November 1866, or for over space OF but one
year and two months, the debt decreased two
hundred and sic millions three hundred and eighty
nine thousand tive hundred and sirty. sir dollars
For the two years since then it has only de-
creased in the total oil about sixteen millions of
dollars. Why is tnisf During the year which
saw so tremendous decrease the spirit of
Rebellion was, to great extent, crushed out.
II had not yet been revived by the fostering
heat of the Democratic affection. The Rebellion
seemed dead, and great hopes were entertained
for the future of the land. But soon the atti-
tude of the Democratic party caused revul7
sion of feeling Arrogance and crime took the
place Of penitence, and it has been necessary,
in order to prevent another war, to keep watch
and ward over the Southern States. Hence
the small deorease-hence the stagnation.
Who is to be thanked for ,this-Republican or
Democrats To q careful man we think that
DIR. Wallace would make mistake were he to
continue to press the question of debt as an
argument in favor of supporting the friends OF
either Mr.. Johnson or Seymour.
On the dimunition of the debt being so
slight during the last two years, compared
with that of the previous year, we have
another thing to which we would call atten-
tion. The revenue has suffered fearfully
during the period elapsing since January,
1867, because of the discussion among those
whose duty it is to have it in charge. The
ouarrels between the Johnson Democrats and
the Republican ofice-holders, and between
the President and the Senate has cost the
United States Government millions upon mill
lions of dellars. To secure even an approxi-
mataly honest collection, il is essential that
there should be perfect harmony-and that
harmony can only be secured by the election
of O Republican President. The Senate for
four years at least must remain Republican.
Shall we allow the quarrel to continue, and
the revenue still to suffeIY We urge upon all
our readers a careful calculation Of these
questions and candid answer. If after ex-
amining them in the light of intelligence they
are convinced Of the truth Of the statements
of Mr.. Wallace and the force of his arguments
then vote for Seymour and Blair. II on thu
contrary they are shown to be false in fact ant
fallacious in reasoning, and Of great pecuniary
disadvantage to the nation, then we call oi
all as good citizens to lend their most earnes
sunnorf 70 Grant and COlfaX.