Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-12-09

yonu the reach OF taxation. The cOnstiiu
uonal system of taxation, is founded upon
the idea Of the equality Of industry, and not
upon power to distribute wealth and POI
verify by law. Apower of raising local ar
uiicial wealth, can onl, be mitigated by a
power ct taxing partially. To tax npon the
suppoSltion shat INDUSTRY distributes wealth
equally throughout the union, whilst fund
ing laws distribute it unequaly, and also
partially regulate the value of products, by
iniiictins local incapacities, or bestowing 10
cal advantages, for expectation, is incongru
ems with the constitution, which regulated
taxation upon the idea that industry would
regulate wealth. The census, the rule of u !,
niformity and the prohibition to tax exports,
dictated by the extent, the climates, and
Tue moral principles of our union, are res
t'ictlons provided agains, the tendency of a
funding system to destroy our form Of go>
Vernment by abolishing the last. all are
SUBSTANTIALLY abolished, because there will
remain no occasion for direct taxes after ex
ports, the fund for paying them, are surren-
uered to taxation. Though the people and
she lands yielding these exports may be now
rortgaged for loans. yet a solid ch. OK a.
Sainst such mortgages ext ts,s in national a
version TO direct taxes, which would be delu-
acd oy taxes upon exports; whilst fund
ing system would reap from the deiusion.
ali the benefit OF an unchecked power to
mortgage these people and lands. VIVA; is
mere SO lovely in is visage, as to induce Us
90 q stroy or deterorate the principles of a
government, ~hich has begotten so much
national happiness, and acquired so much
foreign renowsl
lt would foster war, by enabling the &c,
ierai IoVernment TO Commute direct taxa
,'oh' Tor taxes on exports, 50 as to remove
trom,hos districts whose products are not
oni'ged to cross the ocean in search of mark
et,, that aversion to it, and also TO national
debt. inspired by an equal participation of
'neir ev;s. The exporting districts would
chiehy pay for the ravages they would chief,
Snuer' Ought this apple of discord to be
thrown into the Union, because wars and
funding uniformly diminish the wealth and
power OF the people, and increase the
weaih and power of heir Governors. Shall
exports 10 inre'gn countries only be taxed,
so as to absoive from the contribution. ali
hon-eXporting districts and all manufacture
mg labour, and to impose it wholly upon the
exporting agricnlt pral distric S. WHY shonld
agriculture, saci ifced already to manufac
lures by protecting duties, be sacrificed to
grazing by exposing export. To taxation |.
II England taxes her exports to this country.
shall we tax ours TO all countries on those
sen to England only; so as 70 infl:ct the tax
exclusively upon the districts furnishing the
commodities she buys /?
H. would provoke a retalatipg warfare
which kings and their ministers would chear-
fully engage in. as new device-for draw,
ing money from he reople, although our own
government should be guided By patriotic
resistance against foreign injuries; and won d
therefore be more likely 10 beget universal
oppression. than any partial redress of griev.
ances. Protecting duties beth to keen ou,
Imports and to get out exports, would pro
due double income, and however, incom,
prehensi6le their benefit TO a nation i, IS We,
~ clear hat fifty dollars paid uron an i'm
ported carrIage, and as much for one ex~
p"red, would produce an hundred TO go
vcrnWcnt. Fad two nations only existed
dependent on ach other for indispensable
netessarles, this new poIicy night have gain
ed tor heir governments arbitrary power !;
but if ore among the number Of nations.
should dispatch It's products into the uni, er.
sal field of competition, loaded with an arti
fetal enhancement i, would initiate sports
man whe should endeavor to win the race.
by clapping several riders on the back of his
horse
proposed by MIR. Jack son TO be bestowed
upon Congress, affords variety of matter
for public consideration I; but without ad,
verting to the reasons which induced the
general convention 10 withhold from Con
gress power TO establisha single bank, or
denying the usefulness Of such institutions to
society, however questionable the sugges!i,
ons, that such an amendment to- the consti-
tu'ion would rob the States of their last re
source Tor raising revenues and transfer
from them to lie general government pow
err, sufficiently heavy To destroy the coun
terpoise medtated by OUR great principle of
dividing power, are particularly applicable
to the ccason. We know thar money is
power i'll civilized society, and that hence
the Influence coca ioncd by patronage is dau-
gercus TO civil liberty. a patronage IN tie
general government over an hundred MILL
ons of bank stock, would probably increase
its pecuniary inhuenUe four fold, computing
for times If peace snd the nsignincauce
arising from scanty means Of coming Al mo-
ney, and more scanty causes for bestowIng
it, would be the fate Of the Safe govern
ments. The new and ponderous poitical
weight OF Rank ng, not having been foreaeeD
and placed under control by tDe Con -ttut
on, the question is, whether it would be most
wise to retain this incompatible instrument
divided among the STATES, according 20 the
essential principle Of our polcy, or by 81
wing 1t Undivided to the general gosernmen,,
increase the weight of the heaviest scale, e
thereby provide an accumulation Of power
for Isurpation. IT IS evident that cOlnpe>
tition from STATE banks would perish from
the exclusive benefits of receiving the taxes,
paying the debts, and managing the funding
system of the general government, 10 be en-.
joyed by their rivals.
The proposed powers as to roads and ca
nails, under the semblauce of donations, con-