Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-06-08
From the Columbus Times Free Trade and Direct Tavee

From the Columbus Times
 Free Trade and Direct Taxes
 The doctrine of free trade is as dear to us as southern men and as members of the democratic party, which has always been its sturdy advocate and we are not disposed to yield to any man, Or clique, or faction, or party, this fundamental dogma of de- mocratic faith. II is declared in the 5th article of the democratic platform "that it Is the duty ot every branch of the govern ment to enforce and practice the most rigid economy in conducting our public affairs, and that no more revenue ought to be Iais- ed than is required to detray the necessary expenses of the government" and in the 4th article 1t IS declared " that justice and sound policy forbid the federal government to foster one branch of industry to the det- rlment of any other, or to cherish the n- terests of one portion to the injury of ano- ther portion of our common country"
 Garry out these sound principles and the trade Of the country will beas free as 1t can be, consistently with the efficient action oi the fedora government Taxes of all kinds are burthen npon trade If laid upon imports, they inte eaiere with trade by dis abling the importer; if laid directly upon the citizen, they interfere with trade by disabling the importers customers.
 We have, therefore, no controversy with any man or party on the subject of free trade, We are its jealous and uncompro, missing advocate at all times and against all opposers,
 The controversy between the democratic party and the party of free.trade and direct taxation, IS confined to the relative methods of two modes of collecting the revenue of the federal government; the one by direct taxation, the other by duties on imports. We prefer the latter mode and shall pro- ceed to set forth the grounds of our prefer ence.
 Article l. See 8. Constitution of the United States gives to Congress power to lay anl collect taxes, duties. imports and excise,, * * but all. dutieS. inn ports and eXcses shall be uniform through out the United States"
 Art. ,. See. ,. Constitution of the Uni ted States directs that representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several States, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by aiding to the whole num- ber of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three -hfths of all other persons.
 Art. i. Sec 8. Of the constitution of the United States directs that no capitation or other direct tax shall be laid unless in proportion to the census or enumeration herein before directed to bc taken and that no tax or duty shall be laid on articles ex- ported from any State.
 Under these provisions of the constiu- tion, Congress derives its power to lay and collect taxes, subject to therestYictions and limitations therein contained. Whether taxes are direct or indirect, Congress has power to assess them, and to collect them by it's own officers. When revenue is col lected indirectly, or by duties on imports, the custom-house officers at the sea ports, appointed by the President, receive the mo- ney from the importer of foreign goods.- When revenue is collected directly, or by direct taxation, tax collectors, appointed by the President, receive the money direct ly from the citizen and in default of pay ment, would have the right to issue execu- tion and sell property to compel payment. The army of federal office holders would be as great, under one system of taxation as the other; with this difference that in one case they arc confined to ports of entry and have only local influence; while in Che other case they would spread over the face of the country; and visit every mans door. in this respect the system of indirect taxa ton, has largely the advantage over the system of direct taXation as it limits the influence of the federal office holders to cir cumsclibol localities.
 Again: Bv the constitution, Conorcss is compelled to observe uniform rule in the collection and imposition of " duties imports and exciseS" No such restriction exists as respects direct taxes They may or may not be uniform, in the discretion of Congress, as will be seen by reference to Art. l. Sec. s, above quoted.
 Again: In the imposition of direct taxes, the property of the citizens of the northern States Is not taken into the estimate in ap- portioning taxes among the States while 1t is a very important element in swelling the relative proportion the citizens of the southern States have to pay. As for in stance, gay the white population of the Uni ted States is 25,000,000, and the revenue to be raised by direct taxon is s50,0G. .OOO. \ northern State having million of white inhabitants would have to pay only s. 900 900; while a southern State having a million of white inhabitants and million of slaves, would have to pay $2,000, GOO in taxes for her white inhabitants and three fifths of $2,000, ,000 for her slaves. Now these slaves are property, bought with mo- ney, as much so as the ships and manufac- tories ot the northern man, and yet by the constitution they are to be counted and made the basis of direct taxation, while the ships and manufactures of the northern man are not counted Is 1t not clear then that under. the system of direct taxation the south would pay more than her share of the expenses of the government.
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 Es- "Why, George, what are you hoeing Tn the garden for at this time O night?'' Well, l was awful dry, mother, and don't the Bible says Ho, every one that thirst eth?' !" The old lady drew her head in.