Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1868-10-30


remember that during the long interval
between 1889 and 1861 the government
was frequently required to make expendi.
lures of an extraordinary character. r.
Large sums were paid to Indians as an
nuities and for the purchase of their lands.
land expensive wars were waged against
powerful tribes. Louisiana was acquired
from France at cost of S15. .000, 600;
Florida. in consideration of five millions,
was ceded to US by Spain; California be-
came part of our possessions on payment
to Mexico of fifteen millions while for ten
millions our government secured from
Texas the territory Of New Mexico. Dur
ling these periods Of our history we were
also engaged in wars with Great Britain
and Mexico-the first waged against one
ofthe most powerful nations of the world
the other made additionally expensive
by the prosecution of military operations
in the enemy's territory. ae
/ The startling facts. thus concisely stat
led, suggest an inquiry as to the cause Of
the immense increase in the expenditures
and indebtedness of the country. During
the civil war the maintenance Of the Fed
eral Government was the one great pur-
pose that animated our people, and that
economy which should always character
ize our financial operations was overlook
led ia, the great effort of the nation to pre-
serve its existence. Many abuses, which
had their origin in the war, continued to
exist long after it had been brought to a
triumphant conclusion, and the people,
having become accustomed to lavish ex-
penditure of the public money for an OBJ
ject so dear to them as the preservation Of
the integrity Of their free institutions,
have patiently tolerated taxation of the
most oppressive character. Large sums
|of money continue to be extorted from
them, and squandered in useless and ex-
travagant appropriations. Enormous ex-
penditures are demanded for purposes the
accomplishment Of which requires large
standing army, perversion Of the Consti-
tuition, and suhjugation of States to negro
domination. h...- 7'.'-.
With a military establishment costing
in time Of peace not less than one hundred
millions annually, and debt the interest
upon which draws from the treasury each
year nearly one hundred and fifty millions
@5kg 81 u5als a IF III 5Fq edesg Asgd1vsd 4vd items Of
expenditure one-retrenchment has be-
come an absolute necessity, or bankrupt
cy must soon overtake us and involve the
country in its paralyzing and disastrous
results. If, however, wise economy be
adopted, the taxes may soon be material
ly reduced, not merely for the benefit Of
few, but in the'interest of all. A revenue
would yet remain sufficient for'the admin
istration Of the government, as we'll as for
such reduction of the public debt as
would in few years relieve the people
from millions of interest now annually
drawn from their resources. ...@s.o
The idea that the debt is to become per-
manent, should be at all times discounte-
nanced. as involving taxation too heavy
to be borne, and payment of an amount
in interest every sixteen years equal to
the original sum. The gradual liquida-
tion Of the public debt would by degrees
realize the large capital invested in the
securities Of the government, which, seek
ing remuneration in other sources of In
Gomez would add to the wealth of the ma
ton, upon which it is now so great drain.
This immense debt, if permitted to be-.
come permanent and increasing must
eventually beogathered into the hands of
the few and enable them to exert a dan
gerous and controlling power in the affairs
of the government. The debtors would
become the servants of the lenders-the
creditors the masters of the people. tits
now our boast that We have given free
dom othree million of slaves it will then
be. our, shame that by their own federation
fof usurpation and pro6igacy forty millions
of people have yenslayed themselves, and
Exchanged Shareholders for new taskmas-
tiers IN the shape Of bondholders and tax
gatherers. Hence the vital issue whether
Congress and its arbitrary assumptions Of
authority shall supersede the SUPP eme law
of the land-whether in time of peace the
country shall be controlled by multitude
| of tax-collecters and a standing army
the one almost as numerous as, the other,
and making the debt a permanent burden
upon, the productive industry Of the ipeo-
| pie; or! whetherlathe Constitution, with
eachaand all .ofeits guarantees, shall be
sacredly prescrved-whether now, as in
1789 and 1916, provision shall be made
for the payment Of our obligations at as
learly . period as practicable, that the
fruits Of their labors may be enjoyed BY
our citizens, rather than used to build up
land sustain a moneyed monopoly at home
Eand abroad. The contest is not merely
Iwho shall occupy the principal Offices in
1.-THE peoples gift, but whether the high
lbehests Of the Federal Constitution shall
lbe observed and maintained, in order that
our liberties may be preserved; the union
lofs the States restored, that our federal
Isystem may be unimpaired; fraternal feel
ling reestablished; the expenditures di-
minished. that taxation might be tighten
ed and the public debt once more extin-
q guished. that it may not injuriously affect
The life and energy. the prosperity and
morals Of the nation.
] Believing that for the redress Of The