Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-05
COUNTING THE COST.


Tho appropriations that New York.
| Ohio. and other States have made, OF
| purpose making. In expectation OF war
suggest to us the unpleasant thought
that II would be very inconvenient for
| Virginia to follow I'm their footsteps
| When the President calls upon state
| for It's quota OF troops. those quotas do
not become n charge upon the United
States until they are mustered into the
Federal service. SO. to meet the prelmi-
nary expenses OF enrolment and organi-
cation, and 20 leave In the hands OF their
| Governors funds to meet contingencies
| that may arise In case OF invasion, &c,
| several of the States have undertaken TO
J make special appropriations. In case OF
war, In case of a prolonged war especial
ly, each State and each city would find
IL necessary 10 increase its debt. 1t al
ways has been so; it always will be so.
There are a thousand and one things that
the General Government cannot do for us
when hostiitles are at their height;
when new troops are 10 be called into the
field: when sick and wounded are TO be
cared for; when local defences are TO be
attended TO, &c. All these we must pay
for ourselves. In theory the General Gov
eminent always reimburses the States for
these expenses. but In practice it IL diff
ferent. Many items Of such bills are
eliminated as not coming under the strict
provisions of law. And I'm some other
cases. where bills are admittedly due,
Congress makes no provision for the pay
ment of them. Thus Virginia and other
States have claims for moneys expended
in the war of 1872 upon which they have
never been able to get the favorable ac-
ton of Congress.
Neither the State Of Virginia nor the
city of Richmond is in any condition at
this time to enlarge it's bonded debt or
tax rate; yet these things would probably
be necessary with both should we have
a war.
Indeed. in the matter Of furnishing "the
sincws Of war;. e, hard cash-no State
Of the Union would be any worse off than
Virginia. on course, we should do our
part, but our financial situation would de-
mand Of us sacrifices that would be great
indeed. Wen warrant that these sacri-
fees 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 probability Of
having to increase our debt will pass
away
We do not underestimate the resources
Of our country. nor the patriotic enthu-
siasm of its masses; but when hostilities
are once begun, generals and admirals
do not usually allow themselves 10 be
hurried by the Impotence Of the people.
They take their own time about the bust
ness in hand. and they are right, too; for
many lives. and for the succesa, or failure
of the movements they are Loading. So, |
when blood-letting is once begun. We
cannot count upon its being ended within |
a few weeks or few months.
All these things the President has no |
him to discuss them in his message, now |
soon to be sent 10 Congress. An an |
of a definite policy is to be |
expected of him-nay, is demanded-in |
view Of the torturing suspense Of the |
present and tho gaping dangers Of the |
we hope It may be so devised |
md framed as to command the support
Of the most prudent members of each |
house Of Congress, and the most
thoughtful Of the general public. Vast as
ire our resources for war. they do not
.xcecd our resources for commanding the
)eace, if we do but summon them with
Ill our might.