Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-01-06
VIRGINIA ARGUS.
&c II NJ o n d:
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 1907.

TIE repeal Of the impost on salt, which
has been recon- neuded by the President of
tue United States, seems TO afford matter of
triumph 70 the opponents Of administration,
who stSc. 70 )n.,dur il rs all implied sane
ton of their own policy in wishing 10 effect
the repeal at an earlier period a reour-
renee TO the period when this duty was first
imposed, Will demonstrate the Justice with
which federalism can CLAIM any merit OH
the occasion
The crlgnel duty OIL salt was 70 cents per
buslcl. Atterwards during the eXtraordi-
nary session OF 1897, an additional duty of
3 cents was imp ,scA. This was under tho
protest CT providing funds, for CARRYING on
french war. Tho measure met with an
almost unanimous opposition from the re-
publican party i'll congress. But the same
temper which in;!accd that extraordinary
meeting 60 pass the stamp law. and authu-
rise loan OF 3 100000, produced an IN
crease Of duty OF this essential and impor-
tsnt article.
p When the present administration propo-
SGD the repeal OF all the internal taxes, the
tederalists conceived II favorable opportu-
nifty to cm51rrass the administration and
gain populagitv by urging the repeal of the
taxes on salt, tea, coffee ard brown sugar,
suddenly assuming the character of the
most strenuous defenders Of the interests of
the poor. However, but few of the toor
people were so ignorant as to be duped by
10 shallow stratagem.
Now does it require any extraordinary
sagacity to perceive, that although a tax
might not be dispensed with at one time, it
might become unnecessary at subsequent
period. The annual application of several
millions of dollars 10 the payment of the
& ~. ILL.,
slant diminution in the expenses OF govern
ment. II is the gradual and powerful ope-
ration Of this cause, which now enables the
government to dispense with the tax on salt,
and will IN future enable 1t to dispense with
others. tits evident that should we remain
exempt from the expense OF armies and ma
Vies, almost the whole of imposts will be-
come unnecessary, but no one can pretend
that such step would be now practicable.
Should a resort 10 ho- e measures a.
gainst Spain, become rec5. AIRY, tlIe mino-
rity win have another occasion to assume
credit for sagacity and foresight But they
were as premature in Wishing an augmenta-
tion of the military force Of the country, as
il-the repeal-of a tax On salt.
Should it hereafter appear that the per-
tinacity ofSpain shall render rupture in
evitable, it viii furnish no evidence that such
was the STATE of things, year ago. The
meditated negotiation for the purchase of
Florida should FIRST have al unfavorable
termination, before a resort 20 arms would
become either polite or just. Neither can
we see why in case Of 4 purchase, the du-
bious claim % the United States 20 part of
Florida should not be waved, sail prospect
Ofcollision respecting boundary in that quar-
ter, would thereby be removed.
The spirit Of conquest, like that Of liti-
H. leo
pense, FAR surprising the value OF the subject
in controversy and the claineof the Unit
cd STATES IS far from being so unqucstionable
as to render rejection Of il by Spain an in.
suit on our honor and independence, which
would cali for measures Of prompt hostility
II we are 20 assume an the naughty petu
lance with regard to She point Of honor
which has prevailed in Europe, we mus
also expect 90 par;akc in the same disaster
which their wars and dissentions hav,
Brought upon them.
II must be the sincere wish Of every pat
riot, that The United States may avoid war
until their strength shall have more nearl
Appropriated to maturity, and when on
resources shall be disencumbered from tn
load Of debt which now Expresses them.
II appears, that the loyalty and courag
OF the Prussians, has induced them in tn
late contest, to make desperate & blood
resistance. The fate Of those brave me
who, from a blind habituol attachment t
their sovereig7s, have met death in TN
field Of carnage, is much 20 be !amentet
But no sympathy is due to the fate Of tn
Prussian monarchy and court. Prussia wa
the first and most active promoter Of ths
wicked and III fatcd line Of policy, whic
impeled the monarchs of Europe to see
the partition Of France, and the eXterm
nation Of the French people; to deny to a
Independent nation the right Of sclf-goverr
uent, and 20 excite. by their threats an
outrages, that military phrenzy, which de
roycd liberty in France, and threatens th
subvcrsion o. the Independence Of Ewop