Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1859-03-16

ground Of defence against the assaults of the Adolf
tionists and Black Republicans"
Mr.. Speaker, is, that the East ,oil pay too much
tar If the system Of location ad valorem 10 adopted
Those who raise this objection seem not to un- |
dcrstand fail to appreciate, the justice and equal
ity of the principle In its practical application, no
citizen would be called upon to pay tax on more |
property than he owned, and on none over which |
he did not claim the protection Of the government
If every man paid tax only on what he was worth,
on the value of his estate, certainly no one would
have lust cause of complaint and liberal pat
riotic citizen would complain, whether he was an
eastern western man. If under this system, an |
eastern and western man worth $40 600 each, pay
the same amount of tax into the public treasury,
for the support Of the government and the payment
of the public debt how can it be made to appear,
that the East will pay more than its just and equ
table share of the expenses of government afford
ing equal protection to the citizens and property of
the East and the West?
But it is said the East owns more slaves than the
West and therefore. it will have to pay more tax
under this system than it ought to pay. If the
East owns more slaves, Mr.. Speaker, 1t owns more
property; and if it owns more property, requires
more protection and if it requires more protection,
it costs more to protect it, and if it costs more to
protect it. should it not contribute to the support of
the government in proportion to the protection it
enjoys?
The bill under consideration does not propose or
contemplate discrimination in favor of or against
any particular class of citizens property, or any
particular section of the State in the collection of
the revenue necessary to support the government
But the contrary proposes to place all the citi-
zcns and all the property in all sections of the State
upon perfect equality in reference to taxation ex
cept such as the General Assembly may, as mat
ter of courtesy or expeliency, exempt from taxa
ton Now, if all are placed upon perfect equali-
tv, who can suffer by the passage of this bill?
Mr q
sential principle of democratic republican govern
ment, and the revenue laws framed under the re-
stricton which this bill proposes to strike from the
constitution operate unequally and unusty, they
not at war with the Fundamental! principles of our
government? And if the restriction in tho eonstitu-
lion and the rerenue lao framed under that re-
stricton at ,oih the principles Of the gor-
eminent, not Senators reduced to the necessity
Of surrendering either THE ONE or THE OTHER? and
if they must yield the one or the other, which will
they surrender, the principle or the restrietions
How then, Mr. Speaker, can it be called an eastern
or western measures 1t is a great question Of
State policy, involving, not only great cardinal
principle of government but the financial interest
of every section and of the whole State.
The eighth objection to altering the constitution
is that it will drive slaves out of the State.
Well, Mr. Speaker, where will these owners find
a government under which they well protected
at so little expcnses Money is the motive power
and taxation the only means by which the supply
of that motive power can be kept up, and property
and persons the only subjects from which that sup
ply can be drawn. Where then can they find a
government which will protect them in the enjoy
ment of their property, and exempt it from taxa
ton?
But, Mr.. Speaker, if there is Senator upon this
floor, citizen within the limits of North Carroll
ma, whose soul is contracted, whose heart is so
utterly destitute of every emotion of patriotism as
to be unwilling to contribute his just proportion to
the support of the government which protects bis
life and his property, say let him co. he will leave
the State for the good the State lam ready to
bid him hearty goodbye, and when he takes up
the line of march from the "Old North State" BE-
he is unwilling either to sustain her interest
or her credit with his means or her honour with his
life l, for one will bid him Godspeed
And Mr.. Speaker, l have but one request to
make of those who leave, and that is that when they
arrive at their journeys end, and are asked why
they emigrated and they assign as the reason, that
they were required to pay their fair, equal and just
proportion of the taxes necessary to support tn.
government that they do not tell from whence they
came-do not hail from North Carolina
The ninth objection to altering the constitution
is, that constitutions are made for the protection
mnorities and therefore, ought not to be changed
admit that constitutions are made for the protcc
ton Of mnorites we'll Of majorities and that mi
nortes ought to be protected as well as majorities
but that is no argument in favor of the restriction
in the constitution which the bill under considera
ton proposes to remove, or against the passage o
the bill for the object of the bill is, not to put tn
minority in worse condition than the majority, bu
to put them on an equality with the majority. /
all the citizens and property Of the State were nov
upon an equality in reference to taxation, and tn
bill under consideration proposed to alter the con
stitution as to discriminate against the minort
and in favor of the majority then the objection
hold Init fbo o1,So If k1Hn hahn
to break down discrimination in favor of minor
ty, and to establish perfect equality between then
and the majority, the objection. fails. And the mi
nority certainly cannot complain at being placed
an equality with the majority; for while the right
of minorities ought to be respected and protected
they cannot reasonably expect more protection q
greater privileges than majorities it is enough
they are respected and protected as equals.
The tenth objection to the passage Of the bill i
that it is dangerous to make frequent alterations
the constitution. - -
The constitution, Mr.. Speaker, framed in 1776
the representatives Of the people, by their authort
and designed to be most conducive to their happ
ness and prosperity, seems to have answered ii
purpose for which it was framed for fifty mine year
1t was admirably adapted to the condition and ci
cumstances of the people for whom it was frame
and by whom it was adopted and We cannot Il
much admire the wisdom and patriotism Of those
whom was entrusted the duty of framing it. B.
the condition and circumstances of the people ha
ing undergone change, it was thought expedie
and necessary to alter the constitution in 1885.
am sorry that have to say, that the alteration
reference to taxation was no improvement But
the constitution was made by the people, for 4
purpose Of promoting their happiness and p-ospe
ty, they have the unquestionable right, and Dug
to alter it. whenever it fails accomplish the
for which it was framed. No statesman ever su
posed that constitution framed in 1776, or even
1885, would be adapted to all the circumstances q
meet all the wants of the State in $780, It v
doubtless expected that succeeding generate
would alter it to suit themselves. But suppose th
did not contemplate its alteration have We not
much right to alter the constitution as our faith
had to frame it in 1776, or as those who altered
in 1886? If then, Mr. Speaker, We have the rig
to alter the constitution and the interests o. the