Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-04-06
w II G ADD RES s
TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA
CONTINUED.

CONTINUED.
In close connection with sound currency ;s
an adequate revenue, and we therefore proceed.
win as inuch breyity as possible, to state the pol-
icy OF the Wing Party in relation to
THE TARIFF.
In reference to this question the Wings of yir-
glnia have no hesitation in stating their true posi-
ton. There arc but two modes of RAISING a re-
venue Tor the support of the Federal Government
-one by duties on articles imported from abroad
the other by direct tax upon the propertv of
our own citizens. 10 the latter mode we are ir
reconcllaDly opposed, both because il is a depar-
ture from the almost uniform practice of the Gov
eminent, from its organization until the present
moment, and because In practice it would be pro-
ouctive, as, when resoried to it always has been
OF the most severe oppression upon the people.
ne states, 1t Is true, send forth their tax gather
ers among their citizens, who visit every dwell
ing, and levy contributions upon almost every
species OF property; but it is because thew nos
Sess no other means of raising the amount of re-
venue necessary to the payment of their ANIMAL
expenses. They surrendered to the General Gov
eminent the right to collect duties on imports.
as one Oh the essential and necessary means of re-
Sulating commerce with foreign nations and they
are consequently compelled 10 rely upon the only
remaining mode OF supplying the wants of their
respective treasures. But who does not perceive
the difhcuity which even they experience, without
any rlvai tax-gatherers in the field, in meeting.
~ THIS system. even their ordinary expenditures!
And when an extraordinary demand however
trivial IN amount, falls upon State Treasury
how reluctant is its Legislature 10 augment the
rates oil taxation upon existing subiects-how diff.
ncuit 10 ma new subjects upon which to impose
the additional burhen! We have seen the I,e-
glsature OF Virginia, for several years past Dor
rowing annually small sums TO exc out deficient
revenue, In order to avoid TIE responsibility OF in
creasing the taxes of the people--until at length.
aroused by the large and growing amount of the
State liabilities, they have trembingly approach
cd the question, as one only less terrific than the
violation OF the pliglIted faith Of the Common
weaith,--ihc imminent danger of which has been
alone powerful enough to stimulate them to the
discharge OF this painful but paramount duty
| Yet, although the entire amount Of the increased
tax proposed by the bill now before the Lepisla
turc is comparatively Insignificant, apprehensions
are expressed, and not without reason, that its
oppressive effects will excite the murmurs of an
| Impoverished people. But let us suppose for a
moment. that the Federal Governments enamored
OF the theory of free tradc should, in spirit of
more than Christian meekness, meet the res;ric-
tive policy of foreign countries, by general in
vitation to them to enter all ports exempt from
duty alike upon ship and cargo,--and, with less
than Christian fidelity to the most imperative OF
It's Obligations, the protection Of the interests oil
our great national fairly, should tax the labor
1.-The capital and the industry of it's own people, In
order to supply its Treasury with annual revenue
what would be the condition Of the great mass o!
the people-already stripped, many Of them
are oil the scanty surplus saved from their annual
incomes, by denying themselves even the neces-
sares OF life to be prepared for the State tax-gath-
efer's annual vsitl 1t is necessary, in order TO
give even faint IDEA of the extent Of the oppres-
sion which would fall, particularly upon the poor
er classes of the community, 10 state the probable
quota which Virginia would be required to contri-
butte, by direct tax to the Federal Treasury
That would Of course depend upon the annual ex.
pendiures of the General Government If those
expenditures should amount 10 500 900 900 pei
anhu,u, the quota which Virginia would be call
ed upon to pay would nc about one million scyer