Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-09-25
DIRECT TAXATION.

Upon our OntSluc Tc'l'ci VIII nv" i'''N'S"-
ting article. upon the subject of direct taxation
from the New York Day Book. 1t seems that
Gen. Ouitman is to bring forward this important
question Mt the next session Of Congress. 1t is al
| so understood to be the next concerted policy Of
the Democratic party for the future. This is indeed
something fresh and cheering, amid the general
indications of corruption and revolution. 1t rises
like the olvc-branch Of hope, amid the wide waste
| Of the troubled political sea around us. We be-
lieve that it is the key of safety: and the pros
pect of its being applied in the light way is well
calculated to fill the hearts of all good patriots
with exultation. We hail it as the harbinger of
better days, Of days when the Republic shall be
rcinsated upon the sound simplicity of its begin
nings, when Bribery and Swindling shall be drv-
On from the high places Of public authority, and
in their stead Honesty and Integrity shall once
more prevail. Now, nor let the true men Of Amer
ica bend to the task of crushing Black Republican,
ism and ensuring the triumph Of the great Demo
cratic school, Now, frcemen of the South and
patriots of the North, buckle on your armOr anew
! -burnish your weapons airesh-and make one
glorious charge for the ascendcncy of right prin-
ciples A new object to live for, has arisen in the
proposition here suggested--a Eew reason to stand
by ''the pillars of the temple of our liberties. -
Direct Taxation 1t is the coHsummation that
can restore our government to health and purity.
|
redemption of the South in the Union. 1t is the
principle tha; can establish an equality of rights
| and privileges from one end of the country TO the
other. It is the true genius Of Repuhiioansm as
understood hv the immortal founders Of this Con.
federacy Let the old banner of our fathers float
aloft with the motto recmblazoned upon its folds.
| Let the trumpeters of Truth and the Constitution
announce the Inauguration of the hew issue. The
ghosts Of the departed great will hover around
like an army in the sky to influence the result.
The Spirit that rueth all things will move upon
the hearts Of our people. And new day, new
era will dawn upon the cause of American Libcr-
ty Such and so important do we hold this great
measure to be in its probable, aye, almost certain
| effects.
We have elsewhere remarked upon the political
sentmentalism which has for moment galvanized
the old Whig carcass into life; and We now record
the foregoing paragraph, taken from the columns
of the EdgcfcM Adrertiser, rs another manifesto
ton of that dreamy, romantic, Usorian spirit,
which threatens to take fast hold upon Southern
politics and our politicians. If we could allow
ourselves to dwell alone upon the results of direct
taxation, we might also indulge in rhapsody and
grow happy over it. To the error our fathers
committed in failing to cngraft this, the only truly
Republican system upon the policy of TIE country,
we verify owe all the ills that We now arc heir to.
1t would have imposed an equal burden upon all;
it would have enriched no one section at the cX-
pensc of another; it would have offered no gilt
terng rewards for successful intrigue on the one
hand, and base submission on the other; pro-
tectcd by it we would never have felt the crushing
weight of that "cohesvc power of the nuhlic plum
DER" which has centralized all other powers to
build up the strong and oppress the weak pro-
crossing slowly but surely under its benign inhu-
ences, our country might have presented for all
time the spectacle of united, prosperous and
happy people. The Adrertiser has painted the
picture beautifully-not extravagantly-not too
highly.
But why indulge in such pencil-touches? Does
the 1drertser not know that "Direct Taxation" is
but an idea, an abstraction, q fancy, myth for
dreamy people to dream about? Can it ever be-
come political fact, incorporated into politi
cal structure as it now exists? Will the North
consent to abolish system which has of itself
peopled her forests, built-up her commerce and
manufactures, poured upon her teeming population
constant stream of wealth and prosperity, and at
last made her king and ruler? Can the North be
forced to surrender her stronghold and proclaim
her Shibboleth, when one branch of the govern
ment is within her grasp? when another is almost
ready to yield, and before decade will surely
Weld, at her command? when but one more great
wave of emigration, pouring westward, is needed
to tear down the third and last estate when all
of power, of motive, of interest are hers to con-
troll and to enjoy?
| We are tired of dreams! We do not desire to
fiddle while Rome is burning! We cannot consent
to go out after new Gods, when our Penates, in
suited, disfgured, dragged down to earth, are
ready to be destroyed! The South is not asleep,
and does not desire to dream. Though sulen and
silent, she is watchfu and determined. The ee-
ments are most calm, when awaitingthe approach
of the storm. 1t is darkest, just before the day
dawns. Our press, our people, and, in their Sc
cret heart flor We know the secret heart of some
of them our politicians are prepared for the cri
sis-ready to meet it. 1t may be delayed, but it
will surely come The victory of the Democratic
party cannot stiHe the flames Of Abolitonism.-
1t will but add fuel to them. The masses of the
North have but one idea and if we value our safe
ty, ace must have but one.
Stand fast to your post friend Adrertiser--
"Don't give up the ship" now when the storm is
about to try every inch of her timbers In times