The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1868-10-31
BY OVERLAND TELEGRAPH.
SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE UNION.
DATES TO OCTOBER goth.
WASHINGTON INTELLIGENCE.
WAsuINGToN. Oct. 25tI

WASHINGTON 1NTELLlGENCE.
WAsnINGToN, Oct. 25tb.
The President has addressed a letter to
General Thomas Ewing in relation to the
national expenses and public debt. After
recapi,ulatng briefly the history OF 1912
| aud the Mexican war. ne says the debt 10
expenditures during the last three years have
been respectively 1928, 100000, S346,000,
900 and $373O0O,O0O. He proceeds to
say: "The startling facts thus concisely sta
ted have suggested an inquiry as to the cause
Of this increase of expenditures and indebted
ness Of the country. During the civil war,
the maintenance Of the Federal Government
was the one great purpose which animated
our people. That economy should always
characterize our financial operations was
overlooked in the great effort of the nation
to preserve its existence Many abuses which
had the origin in war continued TO exist
long after it had been brought TO a trum'
pbaut close. The people having become
accustomed to lavish expenses of the public
money for an object so dear 10 them as the
preservation of the integrity OF their free
institutions, and having patiently born taxa>
tion most oppressive in its character, large
sums of money continued to be extored
from the people and squandered in useless
extravaganza. Enormous expenses are de-
manded for a purpose, the accomplishment
of which requires large standing army, the
perversion of the Constitution, and the sub
jugalon of States to negro domination.
With military establishment, costing in
time Of peace not less than hundred million
dollars annually, and a debt the interest Of
which draws one hundred and fifty million
dollars annually, making a total of S250,000
600 for these two items of expenditures, re.
trenchment has become an absolute ueces-
sity, or bankruptcy will soon oversake US
and involve the country in para yzng results.
If, however, wise economy is adopted,
taxes may soon be materially reduced, not
merely for tie benefit of the few bu, in the
Interest OF all, and the revenue would remain
sufficient for the administration of the Gov
ernment as we'll as for such reduction Of
the public debt as would in few years re-
lieve the people from millions of interest
now annually drawn from them. The idea
that the debt is to become permanent should
be discountenanced as involving taxation too
heavy to be borne, and payment OF an
amount of interest every fifteen years equal
to the original sum. The gradual iqulda
ton Of the public debt would release a large
capitaI invested in the securities of the Gov
ernment; which seeking remuneration IN
other sources Of income, would add much to
the wealth of the nation, upon which it is
now great drain. This immense debt, if
permitted to become permanent aud neces
sary, must evidently be gathered into the
hands of few and enable them to exert a
dangerous and controlling power in the
affairs of the Government. The debtors
would become servants of leaders; the credi'
tors, masters of the people.
The letter concludes with declaring that
the vital issue is whether Congress and its
arbitrary assumptions Of authority shall sup
ersede the supreme law Of the land; whether,
10 time of peace, the country shall be con-
troled by multitude of Tax Collectors and
standing army, the one as numerous as
the other, and making the debt perma.
nent burden upon the productive industry
of the people; or whether the Constitution,
with each and all is guarantees, shall be
sacredly preserved; whether now, as in 1889
and 1916, provision shall be made for the
payment of our Obligations at as early
period as practicable, that the fruits of their
labor may be enjoyed by our citizens rather
than used to build up aud sustain money
monopoly at home and abroad. The con
test is not merely who shall occupy the prin-
cipal offices in the peoples gift but whether
the high behests of the Federal Constitution
shall be observed and maintained in order
that our liberties may be preserved and the
Union stand restored, that our Federal sys
tenn may be unimpaired, and fraternal feel
ing be re.established; that our national
strength may be renewed; our expenses di'
minished; that taxes may be light and pub
lie debt once moro diminished, that it may
not iujuriously affect the life, property and
morals of the nations.