The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-12-20
For lhe Shirt OF Democracx..

TO THE PEOPLE OF MONROE COUNTY.
Fellow Citizens--Its is believed that some unss-
sy spirits will make an attempt to increase the rates
Of postage again, during the present session ofCon
gress. In every community, in every nation some
persons are to be found, who begrudge to the pso-
pie any little social privileges. which they may en-.
joy and, who are always contriving higher and
higher taxes and heavier and heavier burthens to-
be imposed upon them ii.
What is the history of this postage ma,ter' Why
il is simply this. "For years, on years, and long
extended days. our Post-office system has been the
most execrabe that perverse ingenuity could de-
vise The carriage of letter, on our great pub.
lie thorough fares weighing less than half an ounce
would cost far more than the carriage Of barrel
of flour weighing two hundred and twenty-five
pounds, for the same distance. The carriage ofa
letter weighing half ounce, from this village to
ST. Clairsvs, distance Of thirty .one miles would
cost ten cents the carriage ofan immense mammoth
NEWSPAPER weighing more than half pound
from Boston to New Orleans, distance of three
Wcklif, the late wHrG Postmaster General har-
rassed and annoyed the people and the people hated
and detssted his department Atlength the indig-
nant voice of the nation compelled change, the
rates were reduced to something near the standard
Of justice and made to bear some proportion to the
services rendered; but before the law has done
good or evil, before any man can even guess as to
Its ultimate effects, before it has been in operation
six months, before the fixed habits of the publick
have had time to change, it is proposed by some
schemers in Congress, who themselves possess the
rdnking privilege to repeal it and rsinstats the old
expressions.
The only argument for raising the rates of pos
tage, which has ever been urgedin the pressncs Of
the subscriber is, that the present rate, arc msu-
cient to carry the mails in the new States and ter
ritories. such as Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missou.
ri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi,
Florida, sc. &c. It is admitted, once for all, that
those new countries ought to enjoy mail facilities.
No man feels disposed to dispute that. g4g
But Fellow citizens ONE THING Is certain and
that 10, that the present rates of postage are suf.
cient to transport the mail in the populous and
wealthy portions Of the country, in Ohio, PennsyL.
vania, New York and New England. If the least
modicum Of frugality or economy could aver BE-
introduced into the PostofRce Department.
Then the EXCESS above what is necessary 10
transport the mail amongst oursslves,b mere TAx
intended to secure national purpose, to wit: The
transportation Of the mails on the western and
southern frontiers Butts il fair, equal and just
tax for this purpose. bearing upon every man ac-
cording to the amount of his property Win any
man answer this question in the Affirmative. On
the contrary is ii not most unjust harrsssing, and
annoying tax, levied upon individuals without the
least reference to the amount Of their properly or
their ability to pay' Is IL not essentially 10 the nsr
sure Of poll tax charging the poorest widow -
high as the wsathiest nabob 10 the landi The rich