Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-03-10
Plan for securing the "Independence
of The sonth."

OF the south"
TO the editor Of the ALerdndria Gazefte:
respectfully request that you will copy
into the Gazette the following extract from
commune alton in the Richmond W his, said'
by that paper, to be written by gentleman
distinguished for his ability, his powers OF
reasoning, his political information, his ie-
Gal learning, and long and conspicuous
service in the councils of the state. The
v;ews here presented, come too, from MON
man. one who regulates all secession and
notification hereses. They are worthy OF
beins considered, at least, if not adopted
will not, however, for the present, comment
upon them. ol'lo.
Itrsmains then to be considered whether
the slaye-holdng States possess the power
within themselves to redress the grievances
under which they suffer. Ia my opinion
they do-not by qualification, not by seces-
sion. cot by revolution, out consistently with
every duty they owe to the Constitution, and
to the Uuion, of which they are mombers.-
Il is not 10 the repeal of laws founded in
compromises of conflicting interests, 1t Is not
in the congressional enforcement Of constI-
,utions, formed by minorities upon resisting
maiJrities, it is not 10 the forced extension OF
slavery ito the territories, untttor such labor,
that this is to be found.
Ii is to be found in their legislatures, and
springs from the soil, climate and prOduc.
tons of the country, from the adaptiblity
of the people for the successful pursuits OF
both commerce and manufacturers, from the
possession Ut ali the elements that compose
national wealth, prosperity and vig)r; ee-
meuts that give assurance OF ability u
maintain freedom 10 tue event OF u separa-
ton.
1t resides too in the necessity that the
people of the free States live under of buy.
ing Tor consumption, tue cotton, the tobacco,
the rice, and the sugar produced by them,
and Of finding market for the productions
of their own industry.
While it belongs II congress, to lay aud
collect duties, imports and excuses, and this
mower is denied 10 the States without the as
sent of Congress, and while 1t belongs 70
Congress to regulate commerce with foreign
nations, and among the several States, there
is yet term in the progress OF merchandise,
both of foreign and domestic commerce. to its
point of consumption, and before it reaches
the consumer, when the federal power over
it is dis placed, and the power of the State
attaches to it, At this point it is subj ct u
State taxation, and can be made 10 tear
lust such portions Of the burdens Of re-
venue as the public authority may elect to
cast upon It.
The power of taxation over all subjects
Justly within its scope is absolute IN the
States; nothing in the federal constitution
impars or restraints It's exercise. Nv here
the right to tax exists, it is right which
acknowledges no limits. 1t may be carried
TO every extent within the jurisdiction Of the
State "--(2 Peters 40
Ia taxing merchandise q State may dis.
criminate between the productions Of foreign
countries and other States, and between the
importations Of the other S,a'es.
1t may encourage manufactures and di-
rect trade within its jurisdiction, by examp-
ton from taxation, or by bounties. Ordina
rly, the tax on merchandise Is effected by
the fundamentally OF II license law, by
means Of which the merchant Is required
to obtain license to sell, from some constltu-
ted authority, founded upon statement Of
the nature and extent Of bis business, accord
ina - ,Yh;ch rho emopnt 70 he Maid for the
Iicsnse il rrsdua,ed
Every merchant APPLYING for a license may
be required to furnish statement OF bis
pnrcha.es for the preceding wear, showing
the value and description of the goods, wheth-
.r Of the growth or production of foreign
countrv, or Of his own State, or Of one Of
the other States. and if of one Of the other
States, what State; and if the growth or pro-
ction Of a foreign country, into what part
of the United States originally imported. a
faithful compliance with such acquisitions
would supply to the Southern States most
valuable information. 1t would give from ex-
act data, the precise amount and description
Of all merchandise consumed within their
borders, and enable their own manu'ectuf-
ers and importers to regulate their Dusi-
ness with perfect regard TO the demands OF
the market.
1t would be easy, by proper dlscrlmina-
tons in the license tax, to secure to them
this market against the rival productions and
importations of the free States.
As further encouragement 70 commeFc'"i
and manufacturing enterprise, the STOCK ana
capital OF the importer and MANUFACTURER
Tor time' mIgnt or efeuip'eu 'i'ui 'A',i0"
Societies, too, should be formed 10 pFo.no'e
these objects, ADD wealth. associated 10 JOINT
hnrn