Daily National Intelligencer

THE COLLECTION OF TAXES.

It may be affirmed without fear of contradiction, that the annals of political economy do not afford such another exhibit as the late exposition, prepared, it is presumable, in the office of the Commissioner of the Revenue, and published yesterday in our paper from the National Intelligencer, of the product and collection of taxes within the last three years. A new and experimental system initiated in a country so extensive and various in its territories, population and resources, as this, and yielding without a murmur of complaint, greatly more than the estimate of receipts, the whole with scarcely an instance of malversation or embarrassment, at an expense of but six per cent for collection -- is one of the strongest items to the credit of representative democracy that the experience of this happy country has afforded. In England they boast of collecting their taxes for six per cent, always taking care to remind themselves that the same service in France costs sixteen per cent. In Germany and Russia it is probably not less than from twenty to thirty per cent. In the district composed of the City of Philadelphia we are assured that the collection has not cost above three per cent. What a memorable volume of conclusive arguments these facts are in favor of the transcendent virtues of popular government, and of the attachment of the American people to the principles in contest in the late war, which brought out into such practical development the abilities and inclination of that people for war and taxation, when resorted to in a good cause! -- The single fact that the country has paid all the taxes imposed, without a sign of dissatisfaction, and at an expense of but six per cent is, of itself, an overwhelming reply to all federal and factious demonstrations, since the beginning of the late war. It puts them all down at one swoop. It proves, beyond dispute, the power and prosperity of the United States, to be, for their population, infinitely greater than those of any other people. It bespeaks, in unquestionable language, affluence, contentment, and cheerfulness. It is a monument of representative government, and of the prevailing administration of it.

[Dem. Press.