The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1842-11-24
FOR PRESIDENT,
HENRY CLAY, of Kentucky.
THE TARIFF AND DIRECT TAX.

Great Efforts are made by the Loco Fo.
co press not only to keep their own party
dissatisfied with the late Tariff law, but
os far as possible TO render the Wings rs
much dissatisfied with the law as they are
themselves. I'he impression is held out
that one-thrd Of the duty paid by our Far.
mers goes to the manufacturer to encour.
age him. This is specious mode of ar.
guing and if we would examine the subject
no farther it would be hard to get round
but do the people reflect that the Govern
ment is TO be supported, and if it is not
Supported by a Tariff on foreign articles
it will have to be supported BY Direc,
Tax-tha, is, tax laid directly on our
houses, our lands, our horses, and every
thing that lie Of any value that man owns
and the tax on foreign fabrics enables
our manufacturers to compete with them
in our own markets, and raises revenue
for the support Of Government. The diff
ference between The two modes is this -
The Tariff is paid principally by the rich
and tho extravagani-t~o classes that can
better afford il than the farmer-ihe direct
tax by the farmers who toll hard for their
pit,ance and other men Of property. Nov,
the question IS, viii farmers prefer the tax
10 come directly of of them or will they
prefer an indirect way. A farmer who
uses but few OF the foreign articles has
but small part OF the burden to bear,
whereas, If he had direct tax TO pay he
would have 50 much TO pay for every horse.
80 much for every acre of land, so much
for his carriage, &c. and then to this
would he added hos, of collecting officers
20 be paid, sne for every county, going
about exercising their "brief authority I"
If they choose, by making YOU opcn 10 them
ali secret repositories to see whether YOU
have net ssereied some article on which
tax is to be paid. Under the Tariff the
officers Of the revenue stay in the Custom.
houses and have no right to NEEDLE with
any persons goods except such as is i'm
ported.
The opponents Of the Tariff say they
arc in favor Of Free Trade. So are we If
ye are me, in the same spirit by other ma
tions-but can trade DO call free which
is one sided--we trow not. They want TO
see foreign goods brought here without
any tau, while if we send Our surplus Flour,
Wheat, &c. to England or France they
levy tax on lt--and yet those who want
considered as friends to the English while
our opponents are the bona fde friends TO
America. Arc the people really so blind
that they casnot tell who are their true
friends.
The following extract on the subject, is
copied from the Chcraw Gazette; whose
editor has exemined tho subject closely
and brings conclusive arguments IN favor
of indirect taxation. In noticing an anti.
tariff meeting lately held IN Charleston,
he remarks:
"in the third Of the resolutions which is the
fifth Of the series adopted ground is taken nd.
a. "a IL, tua
ly from foreign imports" or course, then d.
rec, taxation is the system which the meet.
inr wonld favor. A iavorte tyst,m this with a
few leading politicians in this state and their fol.
lowers; but il certainly would not be long tole
rated by the great body Of the people in any state
in time Of peace and that for the very good rea
son that they have learnt from long experience
that a much less burheusome system will answer
better. The truo policy in regard TO taxation IN
all countries and especially in republic, is no,
only TO mako il as light as possible, but also to
lay tho taxes IN such wsy as shall make them TO
bc mos, c,slly, and therefore, most chccrinlly
paid This is by indirect taxation, and IN com.
rnercisl country like ours, by duties on foreign
imports This " tho mode OF raising federal
revenue TO which people have been accns.
toned one with which they are every where well
satisfied, and for abandoning which to substitute
this more burthensome and unequal mode OF d..
rect TAXATION, thofc 10 no Goou reasou'
"Whatever amount OF federal revenue is rails
ed, whether il il done by direct or indirect taxa
ton il "a plain that the sum total taken from tho
pocke,s OF tho people and from the aggregate
wealth Of the country is the same in either case
But in the case Of direct taxation yoL must pay
the cash 10 the Marshall whenever he calls upon
YOU for il, or ra,hcr whom he requires you to call
upon him with IT, And if you fail to do so, he
seizcs your property, and ses under the hammer
for cash, so much will pay the tax aud expen'
500 of sale Whereas you pay the tax by impos's
nj vour convenience in tho somewhat higher
prices which you give FOR your broadeloih, your
beaver hat, your boots, your silk dresses, your toa
and your coffee whenever you feel able and WI
ling 10 buy such articles. The indirect tax, too
if laid with proper discrimination, in addition &c
being more easily and more cheeriully pad iali'
chiefly upon the rich aud extravagont, VINO ony
articles OF luxury and ostentahon whereas 'h'
,.d., aud economical man