There are also other politicaf evils resulting from the war, which merit consideration. The nation, which at the commencement of hostilities was free from debt, is now burthened with a load of pecuniary obligations. To * We quote these military ebullitions, from the Newspapers of the day.
relieve ourselves of this load, it will be_ necessary for many years, to impose heavy duties upon imports ; and these duties are in fact, taxes upon the necessaries and comforts of life ; not the less real for being indirect and unperceived by the consumers. Our national vanity is flattered by the fact, that the certificates of our debt are now selling in Europe. It seems not to be recollected that our debt is thus transferred to foreigners, who, instead of our own citizens, are hereafter to receive from the national treasury, both principle and interest. Great Britain could not support, for a single year, the payment even of the, interest of her debt, did it not find its way into the pockets of her own subjects, whence it is again returned in taxes to the Government. Just in proportion as our debt is due abroad, the more onerous is it to ourselves.
When we reflect on the vast extent given to our Empire by the recent conquests— the peculiar character of the conquered people who are to be invested with the privileges of American citizens—the bitter sectional feel- ings already engendered by the question respecting the extension of slavery over these regions—the diversity of interests that Avill exist between the xVtlantic and Pacific States, and the perpetual sti-uggle for mastery which must prevail between a powerful yeomaniy, depending on their own industry, and a landed aristocracy supported by some millions of serfs, surely we have cause to apprehend much irritation, civil dissensions, and the ultimate disruption of the Union. ^ We presume not to lift the veil that conceals the future ; but if the declaration, that " Wherewithal a man sinneth, by the same also shall he be punished," be applicable to nations as well as to individuals, we cannot doubt that the conquests which now swell our national piide wjll prove scourges to humble it.