Gazette Of The United States

We may estimate the value of the national government by the loss we have suffered for the want of it. For want of a government, many years of back interest are added to our debt, including the interest on the state debts, more than 20 millions of dollars—Perhaps 30 have been in arrears for interest only. Some will say, perhaps, that if we have paid no interest, we have paid no taxes—and that we have saved by one way what we have lost in another: So far from it, the country bore a heavier burden before any sufficient provision was made for its debts, than it has done under the general government—the taxes formerly were higher, and yet the creditors were sufferers. But it would be wrong to consider the taxes that we did not pay as so much saved.—When the war ended, luxury came in upon us like a torrent: Duties on imported goods would have been rather a saving, than a loss: From 1783 to 1789 we might, if the new constitution had been in operation during that time, have collected more than 20 millions of dollars by Impost and Excise. That sum has been eaten and drunk, and as it regards the nation, may be considered as mere loss. It is indeed worse than lost. For duties not only encourage frugal habits, but they encourage our own manufactures. Every dollar of duty on foreign articles is a bounty to our own. This bounty causes a great deal more work to be done—and work is money. If the national government had been in full force at the end of the war, instead of the year 1789, our country would have saved all these great sums. If any are remaining among us who hate the government, they will not suffer it to be subverted, if they love their money. Five years of disorder would cost us more, than 20 years of hard work would pay for. It will take many years to wipe off the debt that the six years of no government after the peace, have thrown upon the nation. Experience ought to warn us against anarchy, and those measures which are calculated to restore it.