The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-05-29

Total wealth Of eleven states q o02, l66. .r7
Thus IL appears that. In order to keep these
eleven states under the flag. the nation has
paEd at least $s,2la,ois SO more than the entire
valuation OF all property in those eleven states
at the time when the war was fought. But the
war for the Union was fought for an idea, aud
the idea was worth al 1t has cost.
Il is safe to say that in proportion to its
wealth the cost Of the war 10 the South
must have been still more severe than it
was to the North. for. with the exception
of Maryland and Pennsylvania. which suf-
fered something by war during the Antic-
tam and Gettysburg campaigns. the DESC
lat.on of the contesAwas chiefly confined
to ihc territory of the South. The de-
stInction Of property caused by the pres
encc OF large armies in the states OF vir.
cInia. Tennessee. Mississippi, Georgia and
tha Carolinas from first TO last must have
been very great. and the obliteration of
slavery without compensation to rebel
owners must be added as a very large
item of recuniary loss. Gen. Sherman
once called our civil war ''.he most
caaseless war of modern times" so far
aS the South was concerned. lie IS
probably correct 10 this extent ut least.
that the South forced war wiihou, being
suite Of thei. grievance and without count
ing the cost or collecting the ways and
means. The speech made by Alexander
II stephen, before the Georgia conyen-
tien against the passage Of the ordinance
OF secession proves that the South had no
grievance tina, demanded secession and
war as Quixo,ic cure. President Lincoln
| in MS inaugural said;
Apprehension seems TO exist among the pco.
PIG OF the southern states that. by the accession
| OF "a Republican administrations. their proper Y
| aud their peace and personal security are TO he
endangered There has never been any reason.
attic cause Tor such apprehension. Indeed. the
~, ample evidence To the contrary has al. the
/ wAiie existed and been open to their Inspection
! In other words. the South in its passion
I AMI its ignorance went 10 war under de.
! fusion. for which they paid Il :rightfnl
! penalty. The recently published lite oi
! Secretary Nemminger. of Davis cabinet,
/ cosfcsses that the sonic,iera;es never had
| aus financial system. The Confederate
/ congress refused ~ impose the war taxa.
! ,.3a proposed by Menminger. pat enacted!
ulere paper money decisions There was
/ tr1 one aar tax laid and bat part OF tha,
! cst3ectei. The South spent their blood
/ liae wAtet with splendid courage and they
/ oanlc out OF the mar com pleteiv in,,over.
/ isisnd. but they did not pay taxes Tor thei,
eaBse as the North dii 10 maiutain the
! U4.ion. Public opinion st the North
! forced ogr congress - lay war taxes with
/ heavy hand. hui the Southern statesmen
strangely enough mere afraid tn ask ,,eo-
/. PIE ;hst were cqssi 81 every other sarriace
sn fsv - AZ taxes. This wretchet financial
ps.scy 81 the Soath. If course was a .aa
| ipe cause 81 ;nelg defeat.
the civ,. war an the part If the South
VAS fglgA,fgl political aad economic
/ bnndsc, and ia Ihat sense Gen. Sherman,
| Wis right n st.gassls:Hs IL as the mos,
csuseless "a, II faciern times, ha, il ga,
| sa calamity iosgAs by the South thai had
! il s-oen sustained ~ any soend system @,
| taauce resting on var TAXATION IL n-oha
| ety V oH,d have worn oag the yersssicacs
| oi.she North aad won peacc tha, YOU'D
| hrsc texn Is y1ssn