The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-04-12

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Some gentlemen prided themselves on
their implacabiity; he had nothing Of
that quality in his composition mot
enough, perhaps, for his own good
No man was less able to resist an over
tnre for peace than himself. No man
in either branch Of the General Assem-
bly,, felt more strongly impelled to ac'
cept an offer Of the Olive Branch, or
even small twis of it than himself
His resetments were warm and ardent,
but he was always ready to make a
chId's bargain with his opponents; il
they would let him alone he would let
them alone. And as the getleman from
Clark now seemed peaceably ;nclined
hence forth they would live together
like pair ofTURTLE DOVES. He would
therefore, refrain from the remarks he
had intended, and proceed to argue the
question of indefinite postponement.
When he had used the phrase, Banner
county, at the commencement OF the
session, it had been casually and Incl
dentally. He had not supposed, at the
time that he was saying any thing cal
culated to excite remark or observa-
vation.
There some member called out,
''question, question" in loud voice.
The Speaker said that the gentleman
from Monroe had been answering the
gentleman from Clark, but would now
argue to the question before the
House..
Mr.. Archbold proceeded to argue,
that taxes were not to be taken from
the citizen, without an equivalent. That
taxes were the price paid for organiza-
ton, and good government. That it
was the duty of Government to protect
right, and redress wrong; to admins
ter the civil and criminal laws; and for
these purposes, taxation was necessary.
But for these purposes only, had Gov
ernment the right to demand part
of the citizens substance, and when
the property Of the citizen was taken
to be applied to any other purpose, it
was wrongluIly taken. The power of
this general Assembly might, indeed,
take the property of the citizen and
apply it to other purposes but it was an
exertion ofpower, not morally justified.
Disguise it as they might, it was but
Iegalized pIunder, and robbery. 1t had
the taint of original sin in its compost
ton; nothing could justify it; nothing
excuse it; nothing could deprive it OF
its character Of usurpation and tyranny
disguised under the garb of law.
That no man would pretend, that
the claim of Lorenzo l.. Morehouse
would be good against private corpo-
ration. The gentleman who has the
bill in charge, says; ''it IS very doubt
ful, whether the claim would be good
against the company, or individual"
He had no doubts on the subject. The
gentleman argues, that it is doubtful, IN
order to urge us to legislation. The
best lawyers, he was informed, pro-
nounced the claim untenable against a
company, or individual, or so doubtful
as to be almost desperate. Would
gentlemen vote away the money OF
their constituents, to pay claim, which
the directors of company would IN
stantly reject, with scorn and indigna-
ton? Were they bond to less faithful
ness TO their constituents. than the dl-
rectors of Il company, to the stockhold-
ers? He further insisted, that 1t was o.
pening a door to an immense mass OF
special legislation. If we erect spe
ciaI court for this man, we will be call
ed on to erect special court for every
man, who by his carelessness happens
to sink load Of potash, or tanbark, on
one of our canals, and who is convln-
ced, that upon general principles his
claim must fail. Every such man will
ask for partial, white washing board
of arbitrators, composed of his neigh
bors and friends, in whose eyes, the IN
terests of the State will stand no more
chance, than the infdel on Mahomets
narrow bridge. He would rather vote
the money directly,it would be less ex-
pensive, but he would not recapitulate
his former argument.
The gentleman from Clark, Mr.. Gal
lagher, then obtained the floor, and be-
gan making some extremely bitter and
acrimonious remarks, concerning the
gentleman from Monroe. He said, that
empty vessels made the greatest sound,
that shallow water made the greatest
brawling in passing over the ripples,
and those who paid the least taxes,
made the greatest fuss about taxation.
TThe House broke up by a sudden
adjournment, owing to false alarm of