The Arkansas advocate., 1831-04-20

i and so shortly after acknowledging himself a ynbfic serrasf, assume to himself tlle dis tinction of dictafor, and say io us nj te rms, that Y arc unfit, or unable 10 take upon ourselves the task of governing ourselves, and that he would feel himself bound to op- pose such measure. The many aduanfd- ges as Territory enjoy, are, in this Iclrcular. as they have been elsess erc, ss.ss; quently repeated. True. we enjoy some privileges; but can it be told to higll-mind- ed freemen, that they need, and must have guaihian' that they must be deprived of the rights and privileges of the States of the Union, and for this deprivation, general government will divide a few leaves and i fishes among some few fayoIites of tho Ar kansas leaders. finally, that they are not considered as being capable of choosing their own rulers, and must be content that others should choose for them. the idea is prcposterous, the language certainly re- volting. Does Col. Sevier think his con stituents so weak and imbecile, as to take as oracular, his simple denunciaton of a measure so traught with their political well fare, or does he imagine his popularity to be so deeply seated Tn the country, that ne act of his, not even arrogance can uproot its Does he suppose that the people of Ar | a supposition should imagine he greatly mistakes their character, and vastly over rates his own powers. In tbis .spipinp time of poace,' he may lull himself into perfect security, and boast that he will walk around the course, and without a competitor, take peaceah1e possession of the purse. But Richard may yet be him- self again--the phalanx that now presents so formidable all appearance, may be bro- ken In upon and routed, and Col Sevier, with all his boasted superiority and advan- tages may have an opponent, perhaps a suc- cessfl one.
 He speaks feelingly upon the grievous and almost insupportable burtiIea of our presenttaxes, but admits them to be light in comparison to what they would be, were we to take upon ourselves the guidance of our own concerns. We do not wish to in- crease taxation to pamper tic iuxuries of any licentious prince, nor do Isee the ne- eesslty of the introduction of any such metaphor by the Delegate. If taxation is to be increased, 1t will be our own free and voluntary act, and will be done for the pur- pose Of raising ourselves to that proud emi- hence to which we are justly entitled. Let ne appeal to my eliow-ci.izens--Is there l man Tn Arkansas so groyelling, so narrow minded Tn hls views, as to weigh for mo- ment, dollar against his own political rightsl Is there citizen of this country so snplne as to prefer the uaaoiliing support of I another, to his own independence. pre- sume imay be permitted to answer-none so base.
 l acknowledge, if we should have the population necessary to undertake such a step, taxation must be increased-but Col. Sevier knows, that even now, the increase 1 would be slight and scarcely felt; and un- | dertake this measure when we may. the same objections will be urged. It Is pass l ing strange that the Col.sshould have taken
 so much pains to prove himself in error. l 1t is true, our boots. shoes hats, sugar, cot- 1 fee, &c. &c. may be tared, but this Is spe- i cies Of tax imposed by the merchant to in
 crease his own profits-a tax which every
 civilized people always have paid, and ai-
 ways viii have to pay so long as commerce exists-but the idea of direct tax being | laid upon these articles, for the purpose ol l supporting state government, IS extreme l ly ahslird and ridiculous, and should have
 thought that our Delegate had more brains than to advance such doctrines.
 But to some of the prominent men of a
 certain party in this Territory, the idea oi
 a state government has always been ebnox-
 ious-their reasons for if arc obvious. k
 ion upon his wheel endured less torture, than some did last summer when this ques.
 tion was agitated. Large stipcnds are not
 to be fallen in with every day--and the
 salaries of newly formed state governments ! are not so conforta6ie as those given by Uncle Sam.
 ARKANSAS.