Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1852-04-16
For III. Enquirer.
TAXATION AND IT'S CONSEQUENCES.


The taxation Of the Federal government has generally
been by duty on Imports from foreign government. lhe
Constitution authorizes Congress to Ivy and collect taxes
ducs mpnss excuses pay the debts and provide for
the defence and general welfare OF the uhe Sacs
but all duties imposts and excuses shall be uniform through
United States" From The beginning of the govern
men injunction Of uniformity in the duties mposs and
excises has been construed TO apply 10 uniform charge
upon article every port OF the United States
and that does require taxes duties mPoss or excuses
be Ibid equally and uniformly upon all subjects taxable
under the Constitution On The contrary, every law which
passed By Congress for the purpose OF raising re-
venue has been partial unequal or unjust TO some portions
of the people, sections of the conederncy Tor Inc
avowed and undisgused purpose OF avorng or fostering
other portions sections by taxing the consumption
classes increase the production OF Others ana oe
caring that TO DO measure OF national policy mus
while some articles OF consumption have been imported free
from ayaon others have been charged various rates.
but form upon tho respective articles according 10 the
designs OF Congress in burdcnng importers and consumers
for The purpose giving preference in own markets To
the home production Of like articles The act OF the lUln
of August $780, approved by Washington gives the whole
design of the government from its commencement IL DE-
cares that Whereas by act entitled an act for laying
duty goods, and merchandise imported mo INC
United STATES 1881 divers duties were laid goods, wares
and merchandise 80 imported for the discharge OF the debts
Of the United and The and protection
of And whereas the support of government
and the discharge of the said debts render necessary TO in
crease the said dutcs The then provides long list
specific duties; then list of al raorem duties; then
list of exemptions from duty then additional duty of ten
per cenumlon all goods imported in foreign bottoms; then
drawbacks foreign goods cexported and then bounty
dried and picked fish exported. Thus under neces
ary and proper for paying the public debt of the
United States established system Of discriminating
duties az the declares for The encouragement and
lection OF manufactures The duties were low al that time
in comparison with those now in force; and although the
sectional bearing manifest them now yet the great
objects Of ing the debts OF the natlon and founding
system of manufactures calculated 10 render US nde
pendent in times of war; than we had been in the revou-
tuu reconced the patriots of that day the discrmina
ton The effect OF the system of discriminating duties
be misunderstood by any who has eyes TO
ears 10 hear lis melancholy effect upon the South
prnS
In l7G9 Virginia imported in value S4,OS6472, and New
York 1907 200 But in 1884, The first year under The provi
into Virginia only amounted to S24560 0Q while ~ York
they had up TO S3022000 Thirty years afterwards in
1871 virginia imported ed 9s 400 and n YORK s2a FAC
In 1850 twenty nine years afterwards, Virginia imported
s426,599 New York slll,l23,524. Virginia exported
s34l5 446; New York s52,7l27S9. In addition New York
civ N 1850 made sos 2lss0S worth Of manufactures
thus proving that place without any water power coal
mineral other MATERIAL by virtue of her large impor.
manufacturing in he United States Thus manulac.
lures carried on al the most expensive place TO
materials and motive power IN competition with imports a,
the rates and simply because merchants irW TO
that point 10 purchase regardless OF their own State or her
interests.
yoluon the largest agricultural and commercial colo
NY OF British America But the obstruction 10 the CON-
of Pennsylvania ten before The war in consc
Quence OF the non.inercourse resolutions oil Philadelphia
(Which continued force four and half years gave occa
manufactures In that State at that early
PERIOD and commenced DR.. Franklin and others
poYed their best talents TO encourage them, OF
Independence, wealth and comfort Consequently, when
the war broke out Philadelphia ready profit by her
uacuring establishments, and The internal trade
Of Virginia al once attracted 10 that city The towns
farther North. followed the example OF Philadelphia in
uacluring, rapidly practicable under the ccumsan
The country Virginia having been peculiarly agr-
cultural and commercial her habits did not readily change
them; and after the close of the revolutionary struggle
when a government founded, and system Of
policy adopted (under the act OF Congress referred to she
still less inclined TO change, because all the States
north OF her. had the start in manuacturingand Phade
pha had already become her great trading The in
debedncss Of most Of her merchants there she had be-
already tributary 10 that city and it became the
of learning for most of her wealthy mems The
large back country both in Virginia and farther South and
West opened to her wide field for advancing their
interests in agriculture domestic commerce. law 0. me-
dicinc; and the mechanic neither looked
desirable or advantageous Virginians home in the
States whence they would most likely emgrate.
In addition 10 this the people OF the Northern States d.
ecty after the revolution commenced for the alb
clifton of slavery within their limits and passed such laws
made it the Of slave TO carry their pro-
perry into Southern States for SALE while others embarked
largely in the foreign slave ade until it abolished by
Congress; all Of which opened wide field for Virginia
teprse in hewing down the forests OF tile South and pro-
noting the great planting re rather than those of man.