The National tribune., 1882-12-07
he has misconstrued the real sentiment of
the country on this subject.
Remember December I4th.

Remember December I4th.
1t becomes daily mora apparent that the
retention or reduction of the Internal Reve-
nue. taxes will he the leading issue of the
present session Of Congress, and we regret to
say that the probability of a reduction is
very much greater than it was year ago,
How the proposed reduction will affect the
interests of our ex x-soldiers we have already
explained in detail, and we take it for
granted that our readers are of one mind as
to its impolicy. It is not because THE
TRIBUNE is opposed to tax reduction in
general that it has antagonized it in the
present instance, but simply because it does
not think it either statesmanlike or honor
able to make that reduction so long as the
obligations of the Government to its ex-
considerations of public policy, which, in
our Judgment, render it advisable for the
Government to retain its present income
until full provision has been made for the
payment of its debts, would require 1t to
voluntarily reduce taxation tho moment
that provision had been made. For the
Government is, after all, bound by the same
rules of mercantile honor as those which
obtain in the business world, and there is
no reason why it should be exempted from
their operation
1t is very much to be deplored, IS we
have said, that our Congressman generally
DO not take this sensible, business-like view
Of the matter, but instead of indulging in
vain regrets the thing for our ex-soldiers to
consider is how they can bring their Repre-
sentatives around to their own way of think
ing. In last weeks issue we suggested, as
the most expeditions and effectual method
of securing their attention, that our vet
Grams should appeal to them direct by
letter, and in order to make that pro-
cedure the more impressive, that these
letters should all be written on the same
day-Thursday, December 14th-and we are
now more strongly of the opinion than ever
that this is the only practical course to pursue
Many of our Congressman seem to be labor
ing under the impression that the people
are clamOring for a reduction of the Internal
Revenue taxes, and, even against their own
Judgment, are on that account disposed to
vote for it. 1t is of vital Importance, there
FORE that they should be disabused of that
idea, and nothing will so quickly bring
them to their senses as the receipt of letters
from their constituents protesting against
any reduction. In order, however, to con-
vince them that public sentiment generally
is opposed to disturbing our Internal Reve-
nue. system at present, it will be necessary
for our ex-soldiers as a body to enter hearth
Iy into the spirit of the movement, and not
only write themselves but induce their
neighbors and acquaintances to write also.
They should make business of it, and not
put it off to o more convenient season.
Surely they can give part of one day to q
matter Of such immediate personal concern,
and if they will each make it patriotic
duty on Thursday next to write and mail to
the representative of their district in Con-
gress frank, straightforward letter request
ing him to vote against all propositions for
q reduction of the present internal revenue
taxes, we are sure Congress will not dare to
ignore their appeal. Many of our Congress
men, we repeat, are laboring under the i'm
preston that the people want the taxes re-
duced. 1t is for you, as their constituents, to
assure them over your own signatures, that
such is not the case. Do not neglect or shirk
this duty. Make a note of the day,-next
Thursday, December 14th,-and not only
remember to write yourself, but see that all
your comrades and acquaintance do their
duty also.