Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-02-12
For the Enquirer.
TAXATION.

Gen.lemen-The very Just aud appropriate meas
ure OF taxation submitted by ex-Governor Floyd, IN
tho House of Delegates, q few weeks ago, has already
caused some conversation among the good people o.!
Virginia. Ex-Governor E., when Governor of this
Commonwealth, in one Of his messages to the General
Assembly, the same measure, as one Of
iustice to the people OF Virginia, when the ta<rs were
not Of that alarming character now presented TO the
public, through the Auditors report and Governor
Johnson's last message.
1t has already become a question between the Poo
pie of this State and the Yankee merchants, whether
suoh a tax shall DO levied as that proposed II ia
proposed To levy FIVE per centum OH goods brought
from other States to be sold for consumption and
use in this. The Yankee merchants, in ami out OF
Virginia, and al their tools and driveneTs, are already
taking grounds against the tax. They say 1t 10 un.
constitu;ioual-cou:rary 10 free trade principles, and
that il ID, a: last, bu: a TAX on the people. In the first
place, it il not unconstitutional, rs has been most
fully proved by The decisions of the Supreme Court
of the United Statcs in your paper OF the 3lst ut. II
10 tho imports from foreign countries into the United
States, alone, which the Constitution prohibits the
States from taxing; and then only the pr1rRegc for
importing themI for, is soon as the packages are bro
ken for retail, or the goods have been once sold, or
mixed with the general property Of the State for sale,
they are taxable by the State to any amount, no mat
ter where taken for sale or consumption
SNon3ly, the measurd ia not contrary to the primer.
piles Of Tree trade. The friends Of free trade have
never commended, in this country, tor all entire cxcmp-
ton from taxes on goods. They have contenaed that
the taxes On imports from foreign countries should be-
equal, or nearly so, on all goods. SO imported, aud no
NOR, in amount than all economical administration
ut the Federal Government would make necessary.
But the Yankees aud their friends IL the South have
commended for u long list Of articles 10 BIZ imported
free, and that au enormous tax should he levied on
such goods ~ they manufacture To tho Norm, wool
len and iron goods n thIrty per cent, &o,l to enable
them To force a transfer "f tho profits q; Save labor
ami other sources of wealth :rIin the South TO the
packets Of the peupse Of tho North. This Is tho sort
If free trade the Yankees and their friends IN the
South work into each others hands to susttin them
in their efforts 10 break up slavery aud the foreign
commerce Of the slavehnldIuZ States. Manufacturing
and importing will 20 together; aid, by the tariff
laws. they have secured both in the Northern States,
aud call k free trade.
Blu, tho new tax is O tax on tho people at last
Mos, true. 1t IS q tax III the people, nnd n tax Sreat-
ly needed. IL IL murc. IL is IL tax On those who use
| the Yankee goods, or the Yankee imports from 10.
reign countries. IL is not q tax on the farmer, or
poor inau who CONSUMES 10 such goods. IL is hot a
tax on the lands and ncgrn-s. 1t i'd not a tax on the
cattle, horses, sheep aud h"Ss. But il IL u tax ON
those who lurur.aie in Yankee goods, imports. Sc,
and aid i'll destroying ths wealth, independence and
sclf.reliauce Of the SOUTH on those who ara daily con-
tri5niinS 10 strengthen the Northern States and
weaken thei. owa: sui ua those who feel tha snalles,
| interest in the lands and negroes of this Common
wealth, and the largest IN The success OF the mer.
| chants and manufacturers OF the North. If the tax
be levied, the country will not be- flooded with enor.
nous quantities. f Yankee goods To be sold upon very
long credit, at double prices. Business will be done
in the South az in the North, upon reasonable time
and small profits. The manufacturers must Sell al
lower prices, or the people of Virginia will import
from foreign countries for themselves, or, perhaps,
manufacture at hons. And, il is at last, merely n
question with the Legislature whether the lands and
ers"nal property Of the State, shall De burdelied be-
yVnd the like property IN any other State, to enable
The Yankees TO have an open market Tor their goods,
and q clear field for abolition operations among US.
IL It not Just aad right that they, and their retail.