Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-09-26
richmond DAILY WING.
Direct TAXATION.

W WV ~ "'Nt ff'y
rendered such . large number Of the Revolutionary states
men and patriots so decidedly hostile to the adoption Of The
existing constitution. We are not surprised that most OF
them shrink from the avowal Of the design, and that they
endeavor to conceal from the public the fact that the more
indiscreet OF candid Of their political associates are begin
ming to throw OF the marx. They know that the public
mind IL not yet ripe for the change. They are aware that
II il were prcmsturely avowed a. q new article in the
creed Of the Progressive Democracy, the revulsion would be
even stronger than IL was when in 1887 Mr.. Van Buren, so
Unexpectedly recommended the Sub Treasury scheme,
which had been previously denounced by the expoundes
Of Locofoco principles as the spawn of federalism, the d.
rect tendency Of which was to increase the patronage and
power Of the Executive, "alresdy too great for q Repub. |
lie" and, under the pretence OF divorcing the treasury
from the banks, really to separate the government from the
people. Hence they deem il more prudent TO prepare the
public mind gradually for this new financial revolution,
with the hope perhaps that by becoming familiarized to the
idea, il may be Invested Of its terrific features, and in time
come 10 be regarded, as was the Sub Treasury scheme,
n. .n great measure OF deliveranee and liberty" Every
one remembers the violence with which the Rich
mond Enquirer denounced the Sub-Treasury, a. "a
monster OF such hideous meinr that no true Repub-
lcan ought TO give it his support. Every one has
seen by what imperceptble steps the former editor
Of that paper, now at the head Of the central organ
OF the Administration, has gradually sided into its support.
II lis impossible that he or that those who cooperate with
him can now be more bitterly hostile to a system of direct
taxation than he was in ls37t TO the new mode of 'collect-
ing, keeping and discussing the public moneys. which he
now 80 heartily approves. i it a violent presumption to
suppose that the party may be won over to the advocacy Of
n new system Of taxation by means and appliances similar
10 those which have proved so efficient in silencing their
objections TO the "leg- treasury" and in inducing them to
give a decided support to a measure which they had so We.
hementy opposed 1t is, in truth, by no means improba-
BILE that the Locofoco organs, at the head of which stands
the democratic Review" that have already intimatei a
decided preference for 4 direct over an indirect system of
with indiseretion, and that they do not deserve any special
praise for esndor, in the avowal OF their sentiments. We are
not by any means certain that they are not rehearsing the
parts assigned to them in the forthcoming drama. Its no,
nj all improbable that they have Seen deputed 10 feel the
public pulse, and TO commence tho work Of moulding pub
lie opinion, SO that when the time shall be ripe for the de-
velopment OF the plot, the country may not be too severely
shocked by the suddenness Of the revelation or. should
they discover that the experiment will be rather too haz-
ardous, that "the party may escape the odium Of its re.
commentator, by ascribing it TO the Unauthorized move
ments OF an insignificant portion OF its members. Radical
changes are rarely suddenly proposed-neyer, excep, under
the pressure OF memorable necessty-as party measures
The public mind must first be prepared for the abandon
ment Of old and the adoption Of new systems. Hence.
we repeat, il is not at all improbable that the pidette, Of
the Administration parry, in various sections Of the Union,
have been directed simultaneously TO breach ihe theme. for
The purpose OF testing the willingness Of the rank and file
10 submit 10 the change.
We have already quoted paragraphs from several lead
ing Locoloco journals, in favor OF the substitution of a d.
rect tax upon lands, negroes, and other property, for a duty
upon foreign productions and fabrics; and il is in our pow
sr to-day to add others of even greater authority and signi-
fcance. Read, for example, the following from the New
York Evening Post, the opening sentence Of which is de-
cidedly rch No oriental despot could address his slaves.
writing under the bas,inado, but forbidden to give voice
10 their agony, under a threat Of a severer irfiction, if
they should dare to murmur, in a tone OF more lordly and
pa,ronizing arrogance than this organ Of the dominant par
~ adopts towards the manufacturers, from whom he would
withhold even the poor privilege of complaining of the acts
Of the government by which their prosperity is likely to be
seriously affected! The Post says:
"Unless the manufacturers cease their clamors for n
protection they will drive a large portion Of the Demo.
cratic party, and a goodly number OF Wings, into the main.
e !, a.. uhich . . - .how ,Sa, ~. - sisns ~ ever now
lie mind. in certain ouarters. is surongIy in ~. u .e pup
unqualified free trade"
have, too. pnvsts letters, from various art. Of IN.
Union, which discuss the PrOPriety of forming a le.gue for
the suppression o. ~ ann sysIem enureiy, and the substi-
'
But tis h hl ~ nor inueeu - IL me most striking OF the
evidences TO which we nave alluded. Our readers are aware
that there has been Tor some time past an organized poiu.
cal club at washington known as the jackson Demo-
cratic Association" This club was particularly active and
INSCRIPTIONS during the last Presidential campaign and
the zeal and enthusiasm OF Its members may be inferred
from the fact, that, while IN oil other sections Of the Union,
The clubs and associations formed during the excitement Of
the campaign ceased 10 exist with the occasion which gave
them birth, this Society maintains its organization, contin. |
mes TO meet frequently. and is as actively as ever engaged
in the dissemination OF lie principles. It's members, for the |
most part, il is understood, are THoRoueHLY RADICAL and
INrREMf in their opinions and so potent an influence does
The Association already exert, that public officers arc. it :
said, removed at It's bidding, and their places supplied bv |
individuals Of It's own selection. Blair & Riyes are the |
mssIe spirits Of this political club, the proscripuye. ip,ol.
Grant and ultra nature Of which may be to some e,,ent
conjectured from the character Of the paper which thew
% long conducted in that city, with equal bitterness. and
ability. This Jacobin Club has recently ordered 10 be
printsd a large edition Of that absurd Report Of "sRr Rob.
er wslkeJ, in which that bright genius attempts to prove.
by the grossest perversion Of facts and figures ever hazard.
ed by a public officer in the face Of an intelligent country.
that the tariff Of ls42. yielding some thirty millions Of re-
venue to the government actually imposed upon the poo.
pie q tax Of not less than some ~ninety.fye millions Of dollars