The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-02-04
Public Debt.

we again auures particularly tn0 s""c
men of the country. without regard to
former party associations, upon subject
OF great importance to the country IN the
present and future, and we invite your
serious consideration Of the suggestions
we NAV now and in future numbers Of our
paper present. " ..
At all times questions affecting the IL
nances Of the country receive particular
consideration In whatever form funds
are raised to meet the expenditures Of the
government. il comes from the people Of
the country. Direct taxation brings this
fact more directly before the people, and
has therefore been the more odious form
OF raising money for such purposes. In
direct modes Of taxation, however sugar
coated. reach the citizen rs certainly rs
the direct modes. They do not, however,
distribute the burden In the same manner.
The same people contribute the money, but
in different proportions. Hence we find
great variety Of modes put forward to
accomplish the desired and necessary end
Of providing means to sustain the govern
ment.
We do not nj this time intend to discuss
any question OF mode whether direct or
Indirect. or Mt present involve ourselves In
any OF the intricacies of "finance" rs n
system, or OF political economy rs rclat-
ing particularly to that branch of govern
mental action.
We believe that much has already been
said. and much written with very little
practical benefit, and like medical recipes,
their suggestions have been wrapped in
such, and so much, drapery Of mysterious
operation that the common mind hardly
appreciate what there is Of good in them.
We propose to come to the more practical
questions Of the day.
First. Shall hc national de6t DC pad ?
This may seem strange question. In
deed il ought to DO not only q strange but
an unhcarl question. IL is true however
that some in the country would be willing,
Yea, are DESTROYS of regulating the whole
Of IL. To the credit Of the nation, how
ever. be il said, they are very few indeed,
and are men Of such stamp and character
that they create little anxiety concerning
their efforts. But since there are such
men and such notions in the community,
we hold il to be the duty Of every good
citizen, tall times and in all places. when
or where these ideas appear, to donounco
them rs dishonest, and worthy only TO be
entertained by thieves and robbers. 1t Is
not question involving simply the right
Of the creditor. but ii is one involving the
honor of the nation. at home and abroad,
i'm the present and all time to come. while
the nation shall have either place among
the nations of the earth. or in the history
If that which has lived. Every principle
of Justice and morality demands the fulfil
n,ent of such obligations in their letter.
spirit and intent. No nation could cS-
poet to be, or indeed ought to be, respect
cd, anywhere. that viii rcpudiate obliga-
tons undcrstandingly assumed. ' -r
We have no fears that the debt of this
country will ever be- ropudiatcd. because
we trust that the same high sense Of hon
or and patriotism which has characterized
those who have given so freely their per-
sonal comfort and life even, during the
last ten years, viii be found the peculiar
characteristic Of those who now remain
and are vet Ia come forward into active
life before this debt will be fully paid and
cxtinguishcd. With all this confidence,
however. we should see to IL that the enc
my does not sow tarcs while we sleep.
The present is more safe from such dis
astrous procedure than the future; the flu
ture viii. be saved by keeping up and
maintaining principles of individual and
national integrity. We shall thus be pre-
parcd for the issue in whatever form il
may appear. 1t is not advanced openly,
but is put forward in insidious form. and
presented under various guises.
Very few Indeed come out boldly in ia
vor of an entire population Of the public
debt However DESTROYS they are to ac-
oomplish such an end. policy dictates to
them different course. II is only tho
moro honest Of them (if that term can be
applied even comparatively to thcm) who
speak out boldly what they mean. The
others join in the general cry against re-
pudiation. but seek coyertly to establish
the principle by applying it to some APP
parently Incidental matter. When the
doctrine has once been established and
applied. even though il be to some matter
small in amount, their battle is more than
half fought. The same principle carried
out will accomplish their end. 1t becomes
no longer question Of principle. Of In
tsgrity of action. OF individual or nation
al honor. but mere question Of policy
for the time being.
II Is from this insidiouS dclusiye and
cunning maneuycring of those who seek
to bring about reputation, we should be
particularly watchful. and see to ID that
such principles Of action arc now and al
ways discarded as unworthy Of any ma
lion. To the preservation Of tho honor
and integrity Of the country in this mat
tor let uspledgc ourselves and our sacred
honor. d. s,f. ID ls.,.,., u. -11v 81. ~
.~ Il Consolidation. - ~, 80.