The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-06-09
! For n. spirit Of Democracy

Ma. EDITOR ~ f,si.si,-sss ss'5ftf6er x
After what hss'sppeared in our former
numbers, discussion or the State Auditors one
man power of taxation, will be expected by our
readers. For all great or important purposes the
purse-strings Of Ohio are held by single man.-
The appropriations annually made BY the People,
in their General Assembly, are to the last degree
inconsider4ble. when compared with the appro.-
pratIons made by the State Auditor either singly
or in conjunction with the Fund Commissioners.
The government of single potentate is nonar-
chy. Blackstone. himself, monarchst, has told
Us that the attributes of monarchy are strength,
decision, and unity of design. But he admits that
there is imminent danger that the monarch viii
both design and desire 10 promote the interest Of
himself and bis favorites, at the expense Of the
People, and without reference to their welfare
or happiness. This same author, writing as he
did in the midst of monarchy, was compelled by
the force Of truth, SO far to dismiss his political
prejudces as to admit that the Attributes Of Rep
resentatiye Assembly, are patriotic attachment to
national interests and desire to promote the Peo-
ples welfare. Here We have the germs Of two
systems We must pay taxes in obedience to laws
enacted BY onf own chosen delegates and repre-
sentatiyes, after discussion, deberstion and ex-
animation; or we must pay taxes in obediehcs to
the arbitrary edict Of single man, who forms his
resolutions in the recesses of his own breast and
whose motives are not disclosed to u.s. The COM
parative merits OF the two systems occasionsd the
most earnest and exciting discussions in the last
General Assembly; the wings being unanimous in
favor Of the autocrat the democrats in favor OF the
Peoples Representatives. The exact numerical
equality of the parties IN one branch of the Assem-
bly resulted in continuance of the present mon
archcsl system. The unity of the Auditors will
the intensity of his purpose, the stability OF hi'
designs, and the celebrity and facility Of their exc.
cution, by man not compelled to consult with
any other man, were dilated upon by the whie
leaders in all the forms of defamation and with al
the tropes of rhetoric. While thus openly wor
Shipping the image Of despotic power, they cid mo-
fail to portray in lively colors the scruples the de
bates, the divisions, the discussions and the dis
sentons Of popular Assembly, which, il entrusted
with the business of taxation, would as they sup
posed hesitate in the performance Of the task an,
thus become guilty Of kind Of passive Iepudiaton
They seemed 10 forget that these topics hav
furnished materials OF argument 10 the supporter
OF monarchy and the opponents Of the people, frou
the beginning of time to the present day. The
seemed to forget that the same arguments hs
) been used to prop the thrones Of the wicked an
worthless Stewards in England and the equal
wicked and worthless Bourbons in France an
$ Spain. They seemed to forget the admission {
Blackstone, that there was and is imminent dar
ger that the will Of single man, fortified with tn
: whole force of law, might be employ ed TO the il
: bury Of the People. to the destruction Of the
! rights and interests, and to the emolument of h
own avori.es and partizans. They seemed to fol
IS get that the monarch's will might be bent on tn
accomplishment of the most sinister designs. an
might be utterly reckless Of the popular welfare
This subject will be continued in our nexts
: Most Respectfully, &c, E A.