Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-09-16
DIRECT TAXATION.

Taxation. We know that such a design is disclaimed,
with something like indignation, in certain sections of the
Union, in which such a measure is at present universally
unpopulsr-in The South, for example, where. although
Direct Tasaton has come few advocates, the masses, who
are slav.holder, and who cannot be iusensble Of the OPP
pressiye inequality with which the system would operate
upon them particularly, are naturally hostile to il. 1t is
not impossible, however, that, when another Baltimore
Convention shall proclaim a new creed, OF which the abo-
lnon Of duties upon foreign imports may be a leading fea.
iure, that even they may be induced, in their devotion to
party, to submit to the visits OF a double Sc, of assessors
and tax. gatherers, under the delusive idea that they will
then knOtc the amount which is annually extracted from
them, TO keep in motion the wheels OF the federal govern.
mont. Men who have been persuaded to believe, as firm
ly as they do in any established truth, that upon cotton
cloths, for which they pay six cents a yard, afaI Of that
amount Is exIorted from them, ne-hfth Of which goes into
the Treasury, while the other fvc-siHths is n bounty TO the
manufacturer, over and above \ just remuneration for the
capital aud labor employed in its fabrication, can be very
easily induced 10 yield their assent 10 any other fable, how
ever mons,rous and incredible. Itmay even be possible to
satisfy them that n Direct Tax, from which, If they be pro-
per;y.holdors. IL will be impossible to escape, will bear much
more lightly upon them than that resulting from a duty
upon imports, the payment OF which, even If it be las 1t Is
mott a tax upon the consumer, TO the full amount Of the du.
". is at least not paid upon compalsion." and the amount
Of which may be regulated by each individual for himself.
They may be convinced, too, that a tax upoa slaves, from
which the North, having 10 such property. vi DO exempt,
and from which even the laborng classes in the non-slave-
holding States, who are generally not -proPery-hoiders.
will be entirely relieved. will not operate with peculiar Sc
verify upon the Southern States. The time. however. has
not yet arrived 10 open that new chapter in the volume OF
''nrogresive" Locoiocorsm, south Of the Potomac; aud
hence such q purpose is disc,simed here, whil-, in other
sections Of the Union, in which it is likely TO be popular
among "raE NAssEs," who are told that under a system OF
Direct Taxation. they will be relieved from all the burthens
OF government, which will fall exclusively upon properly.
holders, the Free Traders are mUre frank and bold in tbe
disclosure OF their ultimate designs.
We have already adverred moro than once, 10 the
"IHGLAr, " as We regard 1t, addressed by the New York
Journal Of Commerce To the friends Of the protective poll.
cy, bat which that paper says was intended rather as \
WARNING " that, # they did not cease to I" kick against the
prieks, :" and exhibit a proper degree Of submission to the
recent legislation o! Congress, the blow already aimed Al
them would be followed BY a more decisive evidence Of
hostility TO the persons who, under the invitation Of our
own laws, have embarked in that branch OF national in
dusty-and who, it seems have only been faijened, like
the victims OF the shambles, to be slaughtered! 1t is said,
however. that that paper cannot properly be regarded as
the exponent OF the views and Intentions OF the Free
Trade pary-that IL is asoiitary voice in favor OF Il system,
which, If no; repudiated by the positive dissent, is tacIdy
condemned by the non acquiescenee Of the great body of
its associates. But that plea can no longer be urged. In.
deed, II Is remarkable how rapidly the disciples OF the new
experiment, in distant sections Of the country. are throwing
of the mask, and pointing TO the grand contamination OF
the free uade theOry-a -eonsummsion to which, even
though n portion OF the parry may be at FIST reluctant 10
approach it, they must inevitably be driven by the neees-
sites OF the government, unless they recede from the anti.
protective position which they have assumed. Let US
glance ut some Of the evidences to which we allude.
The Washington correspondent OF the Journal of Com
merce, symparhising entirely with the editors OF that pa
per, makes the following revelations Of the Interior designs
of some OF "';he most influential" members Of the Free
Trade party in the last Congress, by whose votes the tariff
Of 1916 was passed:
al heard many of the most influential Of hose who had
labored for the passage Of the new bill, excl1im-"NOw
let us ereale m Anu.Tarn league; let there be no COM
promise; let out cry be DOWN with the Tari; let US have no
duties, no Custom Houses; le;us resort at once TO taxes on
property for the support OF the Government" A league
for these objects would inevitably be supported by the
whole democratic pnry-which a. long as It has South
on support, will ever be ~ toe majority, aud two or three
years more would witness the utier downfall Vt the whole
Tariff system"
$50 long IS il has Southern support! :" Are Southern
democrats prepared TO unite in the cry Of "down with the
custom. houses p That hey are not n0D ready for such
an issue, we have the most conclusive evidence. Bat
is impossible TO conjecture how long it may be before they
will be ready TO 60 for Free Trade" in fact as well as IN
name. Sir Robert Peel, when he commenced the Tevo-
luton in the hscal system Of Great Britain, levied an lin
come tax" TO supply an anticipated deficiency in the re-
venue. The Locofocos in this country will be compelled
60 end where the British Premier began!
But we proceed with our proofs. The New York Globe
says:
eft Is now no uncommon opinion among q large mum.
Der Of our people that a system Of direct taxation will
have Co be adopted ultimately in this country, and We be-
lieye throughout the world. But few who believe in the
truth OF this doctrine attempt 10 conceal their opinions.
An expression Of their opinions no longer injures, but ra-
ther strengthens their popularity with the people. There
is disposition among Democrats to give the neW tariff n
fair trial, 90 that capital invested under II may have o fair
chance TO prepare for a change, still further reducing toe
dutie.; TO-, rest assured, there will be no change but one Of
stl further reduction. A system Of direct taxation would
benefit ninety-nDre men out Of every hundred. Therefore
we are willing % sFOeal 70 le iileleHe oi me people Ia
feiting this question:
This language . too plain Il be misunderstood; and we
copy IT,. as "a wARSso" to tho p5oble Of the South, which,
Il mislod by the deceptive elam0r ags,Hst a tariff Of pro-
tecuon. the owls Of which. asit affects u.em particularly,
have been 20 grossly oxsggeratet, they shall disregard.
they will find, when itis too late, that they have e1chan.
Red King Loo. for King sTOEE-u policy the weight Of
which, II they have feitta oil, hss been more than oompun-
saed b. it, direct and incidental benohu. for another,
whiea. Eiihout any ooneoniart advantage. will send
among ihsm On amy Of ohc,-ho'dor+ 20 devOur their
sub-tsnce.
Boz wo have a vice ofpmIar import IRON me "sr,at
Wesw-ihat section OF tic Jnioa. tbe astonishing in
crease Of the population OF which adnonshcs 20 thot ts
soon 20 exert a prcpOuiersung influence in the Legislation
oC ,he Union. The Quincy ,l.noisj Herald suys:
90 Direct tsxshpn 10 do very reverse Of indirect taxation.
ifIs taxation uron property, NOT consumption. Cnncf such
asya-cm uf ttau0n, every nan pays, o. nearly 90 mny be
Ior no system appr0KimBes % exact Jusuc,) upon the
Hm1uut Of properly DO owns. md not upon Tho quantity
end value OF The aTIclss he eats, drinks end wear. lbs,
th. roiorc, "a IustaHd honest systsm n tarau1n. under vhion
ever mau knows houmuch nc puys, and for whst he pays
IL = always called by is tight nsme, viz. TAX, end not
PEcF. II dscciy.s ~ body"
We have no objection 10 he definitions or the Illinois
p,pet. th,us, We do not assent 20 is reasoning. Even IL
duuss op,n imports we're m truth q fox upon consumption,
ibo mode Of eoiscf,n eEompung the people from the
ID m%fciisry vists" u FedcuI ,ay gaiherer, and dImin-
ishiae ihe patronage Of tie Executive, would constitute
with us a decisive argument in isg0f " indirect over direct
taxation. Bat when, ~ susceptible u sbsoute demon
suaion. ts dsfu 10 not n faF. sEyG oFrEN Ls~ THAN TVS
rEcr o. Tnr Abr5Ls rfJy WHICH 90 o. PAID. its Obvious
that The airumcnti in favor Of direct aTahon is based upon
q pslpable fsllacy. u might, indeed, BE- very gratifying 10
the people 70 "knov hos much tisy pay," Tor the support
Of the general government; but The endGeaion Of their
cahosiy my Be ~pufohased 81 too high q price. There are
.ome suikins Instances on record IN which the " tree gf
knowledge" has yielded bitter fruits aud The people will
God tlai thcrc - YET smother barsA lesson TO be learned, n,
r. uk.a.f.. Hoo u.Uat fhmV 49, " ~.