The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1898-04-07
COUNTING THE COST.


The following editorial article from
Tuesdays Richmond Dispatch SO we'll
applies to North Carolina we glye it in
full
1.-THE appropriations that New York,
Ohio, and other States have made, or
purpose making, in expectation of war,
suggest to us the unpleasant thought
that it would bo very inconvenlent for
Virginia to follow in their footsteps.
"When tho President calls upon a
State for its quota of troops. those
quotas do not become a charge upon
the United States until they are mus
tered into the Federal service. So, to
meet the preliminary expenses OF en-
rolment and organization, and to leave
In the hands OF their Governors funds
to meet contingencies that may arise
in case Of invasion, &C., several OF the
States haye undertaken to make special
appropriations. In case of war, in case
st a prolonged war especially, each
State and each city would find it neces-
sary to increase it's debt. It always has
been so; 1t always will be so. Tnere
are a thousand and ono things that the
General Government cannot do for us
when hostilities are at their height;
when new troops are to be called into
the field when sick and wounded are
to be cared for; when local deiences
are to be attended to, &c. All these we
must pay for ourselves. In theory the
General Government always reimburses
the States for these expenses, but in
practice it is different. Many items of
such bills are eliminated rs not coming
under the strict provisions OF law. And
in some other cases, where bills are adj
mittedly due, Congress makes no pre-
visions for the payment of them. Thus
Virginia and other States have claims
for moneys expended in the war of
1912, upon which they have never
been able to get the favorable action of
Congress.
"Neither the State Of Virginia nor
city of Richmond is in any condition
at this time to enlarge its bonded debt
or tax rate; yet these things would
probably be necessary with both should
| we have a war.
Indeed, in the matter of furni shing
'the slnews Of war;. e., hard cash
no State of the Union would be any
worse off than Virginia. Of course, we
should do our part, but or financial
situation would demand OF us sacrifices
that would be made-that our men
and money, too, would be forthcoming
but we still trust that to our country
will not be denied the blessed boon of
peace, with honor, and that the prob
ability of having to increase our debt
will pass away.
eve do not underestimate the re-
sources of our country, nor the patri-
otlc enthusiasm of its masses; but
when hostillties are once begun generals
and admirals do not usually allow them
selves to be hurried 10y the lmpatlence
of the people. They take their own
time about the business in hand, and
they are right, too for upon them rests
the responsibility Tor many lives, and
for the success or failure of the move
ments they are leading. SO, when
blood-letting is once begun, we cannot
count upon its being ended with few
weeks or few months.
Cali these things the President has
no doubt, considered, and we may ex-
pect him to discuss them In his message
now soon to be sent to Congress. An
announcement of a definite policy is te
be expected of him-nay, is demanded
in view Of the torturlng suspense of the
present and the gaping dangers of the
futurs-but we hope it may be so de.
vised and framed as to command the
support of the most prudent member,
of each house of Congress, and the
most thoughtful of the general p ublic
Vast as are our resources for war, they
do not exceed our resources for com
manding the peace, If we do but sum
mon them with all our might"
CAPT. ASHE INJURED.