Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-05-22
TIE CONTRAST

TIE CONTRAST.
Eh- advocates of aristocracy and mo-
narchy are continually bawling out against
republican governments and republican
institutions. Kingly governments, say
.."ey, are strong, energetic, and command
ing whilst those ola republican nature,
are effemnate, H1ctuating and incoustant.
ouch sentiments may grace the palace Of
ot. James, and be swallowed with ny;ditv
oy'he imperial courtofthe Thuilleries but
can never command the esteem, nor the
reverence OF trus hearted American.
me excellence Of government may be
essnated IN proportion to the protection
yielded to the governed, and the cas-. with
which fiscal exaelions are made. A peo-
PIE cannot be happy where ex,ravarant
taxes are levied; and where the fru;ts ac.
CURED by the "sweat of the brow ar~
exacted to gid The pockets Of sincc,,re
oMcers, and governmental sycopiiants.
WIN this criterion before us, we ask, who
Is most happy, the British or American
citizens! rs answer to the question. let
the following extracts be read. The, FIRST
Is additional duties levied in ENGLAND, for
Lne payment OF the interest Of loan OF
S2'5oo,o0p'. sterling, recently ordered TO
De raised for the support of government.
ne other is an extract from Jefferson's
last inaugural speech, on the subject Of
txxes
The interest of this loan is provided
Tor by the following new taxes; An adj
dition of Id on all single letters by the
post I'd on foreign letters and id ON two
penny lcttcrs--5d bushel OH salt con-.
sumed al home, Esd abushei on salt expor-
ted to any part OF Europe on pleasure
horses ir addition to The 4os paid AT pre-.
ssnt--one per cent. upon direei lcgacies,
which formerly paid no duty; one per
cent on leyacies charged on land and
In place OF eighteen per cent. on lseacirs
to- strangers 10, blood"
Extract from Mr.. Jefferson's inaugural
speech.
: AT hosne fellow citizens, you best
know whether we have done we'll or i'll.
The suppression of unnecessary Offices
OF useless establishments and expenses,
enabled us to discontinue our internal tax
es. These covering our land with officers
and opening our doors 20 their inirusions,
bad already begun that process of domi-
ciliary yexatioa. which, once entered, is
scarcely To be restrained from reaching
successfully every article of produce and
property"
What contrast! The American re-
public happy, prosperous, and growing in
to mighty importance while destruction
bankruptcy, and oppressive burdens,
threaten the aonihilaiion Of the British
nation. Tax upon tax are levied upon all
classes OF people---they must be paid, and
the payment robs them Of that which
thousands want 10 procure the necesssries
of life. But in America it is very diff.
ferent. We may use the language ofour
worthy President; and ask, "what far
mer, what mechanic, what la5curer sees
tag gathercr flhe United States 7" Our
wise and economical internal and external
regulations have enabled government to
discontinue all internal taxes, and at the
same time rapidly to diminish the national
debt. Bat in Great Britain, with reye-
nue. Of 23,oo0.o0ol. sterling, a loan Of
nearly that amount is required to defray
the ordinary expenses OF government. o
ProdigsIity, where is thy blush
Who then would exchange our pure re-
preventative system ofgovernment for that
ef monarchy or aristocracy! The unfeel.
ing wretch. who would riot on the misery
oFhis fsiIowcitizep, who could obtain some
permanent Office nearthe throne, & be pla-
ced beyond the caprice Of fortune, perhaps
will answer J. But the pl,ilsnthropist,
the man whose breast glows With patFio-
TIC arior for the Happiness Of the human
Y7ce, whose sou. has been taught 10 feel
snothcr's woe will exclaicn not l. Let
then those who snarl-s. oar admIDistrau.
on Of government, who look & speak con.
tempiuously ofourrepublicang government,
wtpS contend that there is no virtue in the
1n1ss Of society, and who say that the iron
rod of despot is necessary to keep them
jn subsection, ny to European countries,
lei them visit every country in every cl-
matt, and they vii be compelled TO say,
il they speak The truth, AMERICANS, YoU
ARE The HAPprEsT PEOPLE OF EARTH
(Ceatiuct Of FrecdoH.)
LIFE or WASHINGTON.
r :. r T.. l..